It happens every year. The end of summer causes a month long period of mourning and denial, and then before you know it, Halloween is just a few weeks away and you panic, because you have absolutely no idea what your costume will be.
Well, fear not, we've got you covered. Here's a run-down of some of the most memorable trends, events and memes that happened in 2014, and few costume ideas to go along with them. These costumes guarantee that everyone at the party will think you're witty and hip.*
1
Pharrell's Hat
Photo by Joel Ryan/Invision/AP /Invision/AP
Grab yourself a Canadian mounty hat and go as Pharrell, or construct a giant Pharrell hat with eye holes in the top somewhere. Either way, people will say, "HOLY CRAP, is that Pharrell's hat?"
2
Ice Bucket Challenge
Taylor Hill via Getty Images
Nothing has captured the Internet quite like the ALS ice bucket challenge. Whether you wear a bucket with fake ice on your head, have a friend on hand to dump real ice on you all night, or wear a giant bucket around your torso, everyone will get this reference.
3
Scottish Independence
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In September, the Scots went to the polls and voted on whether or not to break away from Great Britain. The final vote kept Scotland in the U.K. for the time being, but perhaps you could show off your Scottish streak by throwing on a plaid kilt and some bagpipes (non-functioning recommended). And with the kilt, you don't have to worry about all the annoying things that come with wearing underwear.
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4
Obama's Tan Suit
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It was the outfit choice that sparked a thousand tweets. If you're planning on dressing up as President Obama this year, you better be wearing a tan suit.
5
Joan Rivers tribute
RW/MediaPunch/IPx
Going as Joan Rivers can go a few different ways. Dress up as fashionably and walk around your Halloween party making sarcastic remarks about what everyone's wearing -- but only if you think you can mimic her legendary delivery. Or you can take it to the next level and go as her "Spaceballs" character "Dot Matrix."
6
Robin Williams tribute
Kevin Winter via Getty Images
As with Joan Rivers, capturing Williams with an impression isn't easy. But with such a massive collection of characters -- Mork, Peter Pan, Jungle Book, Aladdin's Genie, etc. -- it's quite easy to find a solid Robin Williams tribute costume.
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7
Chelsea Clinton's pregnancy
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The Clinton's have not really escaped the spotlight since President Clinton left office. And now with a grandchild on the way, there will be many more years of Clintons.Get yourself one of those frontside baby carriers, a baby doll, and then dress it up like a mini Bill or Hillary Clinton. Baby pantsuit not included.
8
The "Three-breasted" Woman
Facebook
The woman who announced that she had decided to have a third breast implanted might have been a hoax, but that doesn't mean you can't go as a three-breasted woman (or man!) for Halloween. Start modifying your bikinis now.
9
"The Hunger Games" Finale
AP
The first part of the final "Hunger Games" film will technically get released after Halloween, in November, but there's no reason you can't take advantage with a sweet Katniss costume to mark the occasion.
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10
Gov. Chris Christie and The Bridge
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie's #Bridgegate was one of the most parodied news stories of the year. Once you've got your Chris Christie costume (we'll leave the decision of how much padding to add up to you), get a bridge prop and you're good to go. Just don't actually try to block traffic.
11
Google Glasses
David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Why not go as a Google "Glasshole" this year? The pretentiousness level of your costume is completely up to you!
12
iPhone 6
AP
Keeping with the Apple theme, you just know there will be giant iPhone 6s (and 6 Pluses) walking around on Halloween. To really sell it, make sure your costume is easily bendable.
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13
U2
AP
Some people became surprisingly livid when they discovered the new U2 album was downloaded automatically to their iPhones. You can use this idea by dressing as Bono and showing up to a bunch of parties completely unannounced.
14
The Oscar selfie
Twitter / Ellen DeGeneres
Although it turned out to be a huge promo for Samsung, the 2014 Oscar selfie was pretty epic.With enough people dressed in tuxes and gowns, you could pull off the ultimate group costume.
15
"Orange Is the New Black"
AP Photo/Netflix, Eric Leibowitz
"OITNB" characters make the perfect group or solo costume, especially considering all you need to buy are some scrubs (in tan or orange, natch).
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16
"Frozen"
AP
"Frozen" came out at the end of 2013 so we didn't see any costumes last year, but you just KNOW there will be an army of Elsas running around on Halloween this year. If princesses aren't your thing, paint your face light blue, add icicles, and when people ask what you are, just say, "I'm 'Frozen'!" They'll chuckle and then quickly find someone else at the party to talk to.
17
Super Bowl XLVIII
Focus on Sport/Getty Images
This year's Super Bowl was undoubtedly one of the most boring ones yet, with the Seattle Seahawks trouncing the Denver Broncos 43-8. Commemorate that experience by making a Super Bowl XLVIII night gown. Really make it pop with some cardboard Zs.
18
The Olympic Ring FAIL
NBC via Getty Images
One of the funniest moments of the Sochi Winter Games happened right at the opening ceremony, when one of the iconic rings had a major malfunction. We could totally see this working as a Halloween costume if you have four friends with white hula hoops at hand.
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19
Fake sign language interpreter
Getty
This guy pretended to be a sign language interpreter at Nelson Mandela's funeral, so why not pretend to be him for Halloween. Just don a nice suit jacket and begin signing. No sign language skills necessary (President Obama optional).
20
"The Lego Movie"
AP Photo/Warner Bros. Pictures
The Lego Movie was the film this year that everyone seemed to love. Go as the Lego version of yourself. The key is to figure out how you can have Lego hands while still being able to pick up your drink.
21
The 2014 FIFA World Cup
AP Photo/dpa, Jens Wolf
The Germans won the World cup this time around, and the U.S. briefly pretended to be SUPER INTO SOCCER once again. Why not ride that wave to the end? Go as a German World Cup champ, or as a flopping soccer player who falls down violently when given even the slightest amount of contact with anyone.
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22
"Guardians of the Galaxy" Characters
BagoGames/Flickr
Comic book films are nothing new, but this one seemed to dominate the conversation. That and people really love Chris Pratt. Get yourself a tiny model of the galaxy, and then don't let anyone touch it. GUARD IT. Eh? Super low effort kind of costume. And very punny.
23
Jean Claude Van Damme Split
For this one, just get yourself two fake legs jutting off to each side and attach little semis to the feet. Where a long black apron to hide your actual, not-splitting-on-semis legs. Perfect. JCVD would be proud.
24
Shia LaBeouf (No Longer Famous Version)
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Remember when actor Shia LeBeouf attended the premiere of "Nymphomaniac" wearing a paper bag that read "I am not famous anymore"? Of course you do. Remind your friends with a funny and simple costume that'll only cost you a paper bag.
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25
"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles"
Getty
"TMNT" is always a good go-to costume, but now that there's a new film, it's another opportunity to pull out the red, blue, orange or purple headband. Or you can celebrate Michael Bay, producer of the new "Turtles" film, and go as an explosion!
*WARNING: These costumes do not guarantee that everyone at the party will think you're witty and hip.
Need more ideas? Check out the most clever costume ideas below, the most topical costume ideas from 2013, and last year's BEST Halloween costumes (according to us).
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