Each year, October signals a new opportunity to let our imaginations run wild, as we plot and plan how this year’s Halloween costume will outdo the last. Armed with sequins, face paints and anything in our wardrobes that could pass as macabre, we’ll seek out Halloween make-up looks, re-watch the most terrifying horror  movies and look to pop culture icons for ultimate costume inspiration. 

However, if you’re thinking about making a bigger statement than ever this Halloween, put down the cat ears and draw on your feminist credentials instead. That’s right: these women may not be typically scary (although one of them is ‘nasty’), but all of the women in our feminist Halloween costume ideas round-up are forces to be reckoned with, having each done something to smash the patriarchy in her own way.

So, check out our selection of feminist-inspired Halloween costumes below. You may notice that everything we’ve picked is from the high street (with a few luxury items thrown in there too). This means that, once All Hallows Eve is over, you can wear these items again and again.

Amelia Earhart

Amelia Earhart, the first female aviator to fly across the Atlantic Ocean, has a get-up that wouldn’t look too out of place on today’s catwalks. For our edit we’ve picked a luxe flying jacket from M&S and on-trend Hush cords. All that’s missing is your very own pilot’s license.  

Ghostbusters 

When dream team Melissa McCarthy and Kristen Wiig came together to rework cult-classic Ghostbusters with an all-female cast, we knew it would be something special. From focusing on their character’s intellect and not their appearances, to inverting the secretary stereotype and casting Chris Hemsworth as the women’s assistant, this truly is a feminist cinematic triumph. 

Fashion your own ghoul-fighting gear with this beige dress and statement belt, and we reckon you’ll be donning your costume long past the 31 October (maybe not the cap, though). 

Hermione Granger

Hermione Granger is a brilliantly intelligent (and emotionally strong) young witch. For seven books, she walks side-by-side her male peers, and not once does she shrink back or become a sidekick. In fact, Hermione regularly shows Harry and Ron how it’s done, beating them at potions class and, you know, saving their lives. She also punches Draco Malfoy in the face when he dares utter a discriminatory slur in her presence, because (as mentioned) she is awesome.

Rosie the Riveter

A cultural icon of the United States, representing the women who worked in factories during World War II, Rosie the Riveter is a costume that makes maximum impact with minimum effort. 

The Suffragettes

Surely there’s no costume concept more inspiring than the suffragettes, the group of women who tirelessly campaigned for votes from women just over 100 years ago? Their early 20th century dress is easily recognisable, with full skirts, frilly blouses and boater hats. However, no suffragette is ready to fight the patriarchy without her trusty sash, so make sure you bagsy one from the Museum of London… or, you know, fashion one of your own from purple, white and green paper. 

Lisa Simpson 

Lisa is idealistic, intelligent and a relatively easy fancy-dress option. Think red strapless dress, matching shoes, pearl necklace and liberal amounts of yellow hairspray and you’re all ready to hit Springfield!

Images: Getty / Courtesy of brands