The Halloween Costumes That Will Only Work in 2017

These 10 looks will be crowd-pleasers this year, and stale come November 1.

The LastMinute Halloween Costumes That Will Only Work in 2017

Though plenty of Halloween costumes are timeless classics—ghosts, vampires, and minimally dressed nurses among them—there are some costumes in the modern era that are so tied to this moment in cultural history that they'll only work right now. In 2015, it was Left Shark. In 2016, it was blond Ryan Lochte. With that in mind, these are the 2017 Halloween costumes that are guaranteed to get noticed this year, but will burn out and be forgotten come November 1.

The Distracted-Boyfriend Meme

What You'll Need: A goofy grin, a big plaid shirt, two strategically placed friends
Why It's Only Going to Work This Year: A good meme has, at best, a solid month of life before it's gone forever. But one of the strongest memes this year was the stock-photo-inspired "distracted boyfriend," who was used for everything. But seeing as the meme itself is already trending way down, this Halloween is the only time it'll feel fresh.

Circa-2017 Hypebeast

What You'll Need: Supreme x Louis Vuitton hoodie, Balenciaga Triple S sneakers, Calabasas track pants, cross-body bag
Why It's Only Going to Work This Year: Hypebeasts, by their very nature, are trend chasers. This year, Supreme x Louis Vuitton was the biggest collaboration of the year, while Balenciaga's Triple S sneaker defined the "ugly sneaker" trend. But next year, these trends will have been replaced by new collaborations. Streetwear is a tough game, and so is your 2017 hypebeast costume when 2018 rolls around.

Ryan Gosling in Blade Runner 2049
Stephen Vaughan

What You'll Need: Big-ass waxed trench coat, Bates boots, shiny, wet hair
Why It's Only Going to Work This Year: Blade Runner is an iconic film that's produced viable costumes for over 30 years. But Ryan Gosling's character, K—and his big shearling-lined coat—will never be buzzier than right now. People may look back on Blade Runner 2049 as a classic someday, but there's not a better time to get your Gosling on than 2017.

The Snapchat Dancing Hotdog

What You'll Need: A hotdog costume, headphones, sweet dance moves
Why It's Only Going to Work This Year: A few months ago, just as everyone was getting used to Instagram stories, Snapchat dropped the dancing hot dog—an augmented-reality anthropomorphized sausage and bun that boogied to your favorite tunes. Months later, the dancing hot dog has also signed a movie deal with the Duplass brothers. (No, seriously.)

A Porg
Walt Disney Pictures

What You'll Need: A Porg costume
Why It's Only Going to Work This Year: They're cute, but are these Star Wars universe chicken–baby-seal hybrids Ewok cute? We're not so sure.

Hoodie Melo

What You'll Need: A Knicks or Thunder Carmelo Anthony jersey, a hoodie tied E.T.-style around your head
Why It's Only Going to Work This Year: Carmelo Anthony has begun his new basketball life in Oklahoma City, and thanks to how awfully he was treated by the Knicks, his stock as a lovable figure in the NBA has never been higher. But another reason why everyone seems to be rooting for Melo right now is because of his love of wearing hoodies during workouts and practice. You'd think they'd obstruct his peripheral vision, but hoodie Melo looks more like a superhero in 2017 than ever before—and so can you.

G.I. Kushner
Getty Images

What You'll Need: A suit, sunglasses, a tactical military vest
Why It's Only Going to Work This Year: Going as Donald Trump for Halloween isn't particularly funny, but making fun of his goofy son-in-law Jared Kushner is fair game. Kushner, one of whose many administrative tasks is apparently bringing peace to the Middle East, had a beautifully dorky moment earlier this year when he sported a bulletproof vest over his suit while on a trip to Iraq. Because nothing says, "I take my job seriously" like covering up your prep-school look with military gear.

Szechuan Sauce Rick From Rick & Morty

What You'll Need: Gray wig, lap coat, a flask, McDonald's bag
Why It's Only Going to Work This Year: Adult Swim's Rick & Morty is on occasion marred by its overzealous fans, who recently wreaked havoc on McDonald's locations across America when the chain dropped limited-edition Szechuan dipping sauce, a tie-in to the show. Who knows if Rick & Morty will ever be as popular as it is right now, but if ever there were a time to get in a good Rick costume before the backlash sets in for good, it's 2017.

Salt Bae

What You'll Need: Round wire-frame sunglasses, a tight white tee, knife, salt
Why It's Only Going to Work This Year: It feels like a lifetime ago that Salt Bae—the Turkish chef whose real name is Nusret Gökçe—went viral for his succulent meats and over-the-top seasoning methods, but it was actually just ten months ago—technically still 2017. And while Gökçe is said to be opening two United States steakhouses in 2018, his sunglasses, white tee, and iconic salting pose are the perfect example of a costume that has a one-year shelf life.

Brooke Palmer

What You'll Need: A clown costume, sharp teeth, balloon
Why It's Only Going to Work This Year: On second thought, walking around dressed like a kid-eating clown in 2017 is probably a horrible idea. Let's leave this terrifying costume to the professionals.

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