Dressed to Haunt: Goth-Coded Halloween Costume Inspo for FW25
Archetype-driven costumes for the darkly inclined
By: The Lace Ledger Staff
Halloween is the gothic high holiday of transformation–the one night of the year where shadows are celebrated in fancy dress, masks turn into mirrors and fantasy takes its rightful place at centre stage.
For TLL readers, it’s more than costumes and candy; it’s an invitation to embody gothic archetype and allure, to cloak yourself in mystery and emerge as something, or someone, entirely other.
This season, we’ve curated inspiration through the lens of gothic archetype, offering each identity a costume that feels both timeless and timely. Whether you lean toward tragic glamour, decadent mischief or spectral romance, these looks invite you to step into the night not just dressed up, but transformed, honouring the spirit of Halloween while embodying a new identity aligned with your authentic self.
The Widow
Photo Credit: Sophie Turner as Morticia Addams
Morticia Addams – With Wednesday in its second season, Morticia is as iconic and relevant as ever. Extend it into a group or couple’s costume (Gomez, Wednesday, Enid) for maximum effect.
Bride of Frankenstein – The newly released Jacob Elordi film coupled with the anticipated 2026 film makes this a timely, cinematic option.
The Heiress
Photo Credit: dollskill.com
Ghost of Marie Antoinette – Opulence, with a gothic twist. Think powdered wig and gowns undone by the grave.
Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffany’s – A darkly glamorous twist on the ultimate socialite: cigarette holder, black gown and pearls OR earplugs with tassels, a face mask with eyelashes and a sleep shirt; looks aligned with two unmistakeable scenes.
The Vamp
Photo Credit: @toonibug
Nadja from What We Do in the Shadows – Perfect for a solo or group costume; her campy vampirism and decadent dresses are a gothic darling’s dream.
Elvira, Mistress of the Dark - Classic camp vamp glamour, timeless and instantly recognizable.
The Brat
Photo Credit: IMDb
Angel & Devil Best Friends – Playful duality: one in halo and white slip dress, the other in horns and red corset. At midnight, swap costumes and embody the character that goes with it.
Courtney, Jawbreaker - Late-90s brat villain with a plastic tiara and vinyl miniskirt with a sucker in hand.
The Oracle
Photo Credit: @denise__sandoval
The Fortune Teller – Tarot deck in hand and heavy jewellery. Mystical, moody; perfect for a night of divination.
The Sanderson Sisters, Hocus Pocus - Oracle-coded Winifred for timeless Halloween-core that balances kitsch and witch.
The Corporate Goth
Photo Credit: Life by Sandrinne
Elizabeth Sparkle from The Substance – Channel Demi Moore’s eerie powerhouse performance: yellow jacket, black sunglasses, red purse, mysterious box, unsettling poise.
Trinity, The Matrix - Latex trench, dark sunglasses, slicked hair: a corporate dominatrix classic.
The Romantic Goth
Photo Credit: Elsa Hosk
Ophelia (reimagined) – A flowing gown, dripping flowers, wistful makeup. Poetic and tragic.
Priscilla and Elvis – Couples costume with glam-goth aura; rhinestones meet melancholia.
Alice from Closer – A modern tragic muse in lingerie and a pink wig—devastating but delicate.
The Whimsy Goth
Photo Credit: @chloemaddren
Practical Magic Sisters – Long skirts, flowing cardigans and midnight margarita witchy energy.
Taylor Swift’s Willow Witch (Evermore Era) - flowing white gown, braided hair wrapped with twigs or ribbons and a lantern in hand; this cottage-core look is peak Whimsy Goth.
The Dark Academic
Photo Credit: @shirinatra
Sherlock Holmes – Tweeds, long coats, pipe or magnifying glass—brooding intellect with a gothic detective edge.
Ellen from Nosferatu – White gown, ghostly pallor, a silent-film tragic heroine now studied as literature come alive.
The Siren
Photo Credit: Cardi B
Mermaid Medusa – Shells, pearls, serpentine details; aquatic allure with a bite.
Jessica Rabbit – Sultry, sequinned glamour—red gown and dangerous curves reimagined with siren mystique.
The Pin-Up
Photo Credit: @tori_josephine
Bettie Boop – Cartoon coquette brought to life; short dress, curls, wide-eyed glam.
Bettie Page – The dark-haired bombshell of fetish and burlesque—corsetry, fringe and vintage lingerie.
Whether you’re summoning Morticia’s poise, Nadja’s wit or pin-up drama, the key is choosing a costume that feels like an extension of your archetype. This year, don’t just wear a costume—inhabit it.
