This wacky year has set up characters ripe for Halloween-costume harvesting: Blockbuster superhero movies, weird news items, PokemonGO and, of course, this bizarre presidential election. If you can't find something to sport for a spooky soiree, you're probably not trying.
But if you still need help, Google is swooping in to the rescue. This year they've set up a website called Frightgeist (a la zeitgeist), to conjure up the perfect costume for you. The Costume Wizard allows users to select levels of "spookiness" and "uniqueness," and to set the results for "Local or National" and "Classic or Modern." The results might surprise you (I got Walter White on my first try, a lady friend got Kenny Powers), but it should at least get your costume creativity flowing.
Meanwhile, here's a round up of what's popular for 2016:
1. Harley Quinn
Nationwide, this DC Comics supervillain has a lot of appeal: The playful demeanor, ghost-white skin, technicolor pigtails, red lips, slightly mussed attire and fun accessories make the Suicide Squad siren the perfect Halloween go-to for ladies who are tired of dressing up as Batman's other female villains, Poison Ivy and Catwoman.
2. Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton
Speaking of supervillains (I kid, I kid!), it's not surprising that this year's election has people ready to don the Donald. There are more iterations of this possible president than a Nasty Woman can shake a stick at: Sexy Donald Trump, Donald Trump's Hair, Puppet Donald Trump, Trump's Wall, Karaoke Debate Night Donald Trump ... the list goes on. Bonus points if you get a buddy to make it a duo costume; Donald and Hillary, dressed for debate night, holding microphones and singing to each other, or puppet Donald and Hillary, accusing each other of being the puppet. Got a third person to tag along? Vladamir Putin on a horse could round out the weirdest political triad of the century.
3. Bad Hombres
This one's almost too easy. Pair it with Trump's Wall, a Nasty Woman, and some "I Voted" stickers.
4. Ken Bone
If you've got a red IZOD pullover, a pair of glasses and can arrange for a mustache, you've got one of the hottest and least-expected costumes of 2016.
5. That Clumsy T-Rex
You know the one. You've seen videos of it trying to ice skate. Of it ballet dancing. It looks ridiculous. And it can be you this Halloween.
6. Pokemon
They were exiled from Discovery Green, but they're still lurking around H-town. The craze has cooled off a bit, but we expect you'll still see some Pocket Monsters tooling around the streets of Houston this Halloween.
7. David Bowie or Prince
This year started off with some sad news, and folks who want to make their Halloween costume a tribute have some deciding to do. It's hard to pick between The Purple One and The Goblin King. Can they be combined?
8. Emoji
Fun, easy, and a cinch to identify. If it's the night of and you still don't have your costume, you might want to fall back on this. Walmart even has the "chocolate ice cream" emoji.
9. Harambe
The gorilla who was killed at the Cincinnati Zoo in May left an indelible internet impression and launched an army of memes. Pair it with a doll about the size of a 3-year-old for maximum effect.
10. Black Mirror "Nosedive" Girl, Lacie
If you haven't seen this episode of Black Mirror, stop what you're doing and go watch it. We'll wait.
Okay, welcome back! Get a tattered bridesmaid dress, practice your most genuine smile in the mirror, and walk around "rating" people you come across on the street. Beg for five stars. Lacie's desperation in this episode is almost too close to reality. It's actually pretty creepy.
Fun, easy, and a cinch to identify. If it's the night of and you still don't have your costume, you might want to fall back on this.
