“Halloweekend” is rapidly approaching, and I know many couples (or girlfriends, at least) are scrambling to find a costume that meets the hard-to-reach balance of recognizable, niche, hot and funny. As someone in a long-distance relationship who won’t be able to pull off any couples costumes from my long list this season, I figured I’d share some of my top contenders. I personally think these are all amazing, though I’m slightly biased.

1. Tim and Moby

I have literally been wanting to do this costume for years. It is recognizable, as I think most college students grew up seeing BrainPop videos in school, and I think a lot of people would appreciate the creativity. It’s easy to put together last minute, but you can also make it more elaborate with a fun orange outfit, boots and some silver accessories. It is also perfect if one partner doesn’t like to dress up because Tim is just some guy.

2. The sweetFrog frogs

Everyone loves froyo, and the Vestal sweetFrog is a Binghamton University staple. This sweet costume could be done simply with a couple of frog-eye headbands or hats, with one person wearing pink and the other wearing green. I have never seen this done before, but I think it would be adorable and frog-tastic.

3. Gnomeo and Juliet

Can you believe that costumes from the 2011 gnome spin on the most iconic tragic play of all time aren’t more popular?! Although I have seen this costume a few times on Pinterest and TikTok, I’ve never seen it in real life, and I think it would be the cutest costume. If one partner can put together a red dress and a white apron, the other a blue sleeveless shirt over a white T-shirt and you DIY two gnome hats with felt or construction paper, you have an easy Gnomeo and Juliet.

4. Teen Beach Movie

I’m sure many of us loved “Teen Beach Movie” growing up, and I’d be lying if I said I don’t listen to “Cruisin’ for a Bruisin’” and “Surf Crazy” on occasion. This costume is super fun and nostalgic, and Brady and Mack have several replicable outfits throughout the movie. You could even go as a biker and surfer, and I think most people would still know who you are.

5. MordeTwi

“Can we pretend that airplanes in the night sky are like shooting stars? / I could really use a wish right now, wish right now, wish right now.” If you’ve been wanting to dress up as a unicorn for Halloween and have been trying to figure out how to make it a couples costume, this is the one for you. Maybe my screen time is too high, but I would recognize (and be very entertained by) this costume immediately, even if it was as simple as one partner in a unicorn headband and the other in a blue hat with some eyes and a beak glued on.

6. Lana Del Rey and her husband

This may not be the most original costume ever, but I still think it’s creative enough and it looks good. Dressing up as Del Rey’s “Lust for Life” album cover absolutely works as a solo costume, but can easily be made a couples costume by dressing up bae in some camo, a hat, sunglasses and, if you want to make it even more accurate, an alligator stuffed animal.

7. The Demolition Lovers

If you were emo in middle school (or now!), this costume may be the one for you. I personally love any costume with fake blood, and this one uses quite a bit. It’s a perfect excuse to see your partner in a suit or long white dress — you can see what your future wedding might look like, if you look past the blood. While many will probably just assume you’re a dead bride and groom, you’ll still be super cool in my book.

8. Courtney Love and Kurt Cobain

Love and Cobain are one of the most iconic, complex and toxic celebrity couples of all time. This costume could be quickly thrown together by couples with ’90s-heavy wardrobes, but could also be thrifted for cheap. The only thing you may need to scramble for is blonde wigs, unless you both already happen to be bleach blond. This costume is hot and stylish, and if you get in a messy public fight or really do anything that’s a bad look, at least you can say you were in character.

9. Tucker Carlson and the Green M&M

If you haven’t seen the Fox News clip from 2022 of Tucker Carlson commenting on the significant, groundbreaking and crucial political topic of “woke M&M’s,” it is basically just him complaining about the de-sexy-fication of M&M’s, particularly the green one, whose sexy white knee-high boots were traded for sneakers. This may (again) just be me spending too much time on my phone, but if I saw someone dressed as a sexy green M&M alongside a guy in a suit jacket and tie, I would immediately know what they were, and I think this costume covers all of the bases — recognizable, niche, hot and funny.

Although I unfortunately will not get to execute any of these costumes this year, I am putting my (great) ideas out into the world for anyone who is lucky enough to spend Halloween with their partner. While I can appreciate the Padmes and Anakins, the deer and hunters and the Freds and Daphnes of Halloween night, I think it can be fun to have a costume that you are unlikely to see any other couples wearing. I hope my list inspires some procrastinating couples to choose a fun, unique last-minute costume this Halloween!

Riley Lavrovsky is a senior majoring in psychology.

Views expressed in the opinions pages represent the opinions of the columnists. The only piece that represents the view of the Pipe Dream Editorial Board is the staff editorial.