Happy, very much belated Halloween to all those who celebrate! My first time celebrating the holiday in NYC was anything but tricky. I was beyond excited to see what kind of Halloween spectacles I’d see across the city, and it did not disappoint. This year was full of treats: from two distinct “Halloweekends,” to traversing the spookiest NYC Halloween events. In my suite, 2104, we all share a common belief that we had a great time and created some great memories (known also as “lore”). Particularly, we were astute in picking and creating our costumes; I think we have a keen eye when it comes to playing dress up. 

In 2104 fashion, of course I had to get their opinions of what was truly the better ensembles of the many eves. I like to think our costumes this year gave exactly what we meant them to give: creative, yet recognizable. Classic, yet a breath of fresh air perhaps! On this episode of a very opinionated article, I brought back a fan favorite: Celine Ioffe of 2104-C, and a very special guest, my own roommate! Maya Evans (of 2104-A). I interviewed them on what they believed to be the best—and worst—costumes of Halloween 2024, as well as some general comments on how to approach Halloween as a college student.  

I started our conversation, and just let the opinions flow: 

“Happy Halloween! Ok, I have some questions about Halloween costumes, like what were your favorites-” 

“Can I give you my favorite??” Celine was eager to jump in. 

I posed my first question. “Oh yes. Ok. Pretty broad: what’s the best kind of Halloween costume?” 

“Really niche.” Celine says. “Like, like it’s playing off a pop culture moment.” 

Maya chimed in: “Yeah, I think the meme costumes, the on trend, on topic ones.” 

Celine notes, “Or like, ok wait, I saw a dog and a woman dressed as the Bed-Stuy Aquarium.” 

For those who have never ventured into the Bedford-Stuyvesant, or more commonly known as Bed-Stuy neighborhood, it’s a nook in Brooklyn where the Bed-Stuy Aquarium resides. I have a picture below, it’s definitely worth checking out: 

Anyways, back to the interview! 

“Ok: what’s the worst? What’s the worst kind of Halloween costume you could ever have?” 

Maya spoke, profound words I might add: “All of the men just wearing onesies.”  

She clocked!  

She continued: “Because it’s just like; there’s no effort put into it, it’s kind of on the same level as girls sometimes just wearing, like corsets and skirts. Um, there just seems like they didn’t put in any creativity.” 

A flaming hot take, but a much needed one, I must say. Celine, inspired, adds on: 

“I hate to say this, and I might get some heat for this-” 

“Say it!” I’m a grade-A enabler. 

She sighs. “I’m really sick of the Disney princesses.” I felt so seen! 

“I really liked—I agree—but I really liked seeing the Meg and Hercules costumes this year. That was new…that was new. And like, the Megara costumes were like actual dresses. They weren’t just, like a corset, or a mini skirt.” Maya says. 

Celine: “I like, like side characters.”  

“What trends have you seen that you love? Which ones have you seen that you did NOT love?” I asked. 

Celine, regarding what she did love: “Scooby Doo characters!”  

Maya: “And also the Monster High characters! Yessss.” 

The company, in response to what we didn’t love: 

Celine: “Like I said, the Disney costumes. OH! Mario and Luigi. Men dressed as Mario and Luigi. It’s really scary for me.”  

There was total agreement throughout the room. Red flag, we called it! 

Maya: “Yeah, I think all of like the, the duo kind of, tired, not very original costumes.” 

Unfortunately, the interview had to continue without Celine as she had some work to do, but Maya’s insights were nothing short of perceptive and savvy. I continued: 

“What costumes did you wish you saw this year?” 

Maya: “Oh, another costume I loved was all the girls doing the Dimitrescu sisters, from Resident Evil. It’s from a video game. So, they were dressing up as these sisters, they’re like monsters kind of, but they’re like, very pretty. Oh, and you have to do special makeup for them and everything, like you can tell these people put a lot of effort into it. The effort was lovely.” 

I for one had no idea who she was talking about, but that’s okay! The general gist I got, was that effort and quality really show when it comes to Halloween costumes; so take the time, have a little fun! Maya continued: 

“I didn’t see any- well, I saw a lot on Tik Tok, I saw a lot of Patrick Bateman costumes on Tik Tok.” 

I chimed in: “Oh, I don’t like those ones; I think it’s kind of tired, I wish it was more niche. It’s like, that and the Princess Diaries.” 

“That’s a really good point, I think it has been overused for sure, but I still think it’s a really fun costume. It’s a fun costume that like, does take effort; and it is recognizable, but it’s not just like, you know like a vampire. And I think everybody who does it looks really good as well.” Maya is a Halloween queen, no doubt.  

My final question, and to me, this was surely the most important. 

“How many costumes do you think people should have in college…for Halloween?” 

Maya’s final sentiments: 

“I think usually, like maybe three. This year was special because Halloween fell on a Thursday, so we kind of did Halloweekend twice, some people did. So if you did it twice you would need, like five costumes, but if you were just doing the one weekend, you’d be good with three, for like Thursday, Friday, Saturday. Re-wearing costumes? Absolutely. Cause it’s not like you’re gonna see the same people over and over again, nor will people remember. I don’t think it’s that serious. But it is fun to have some variety. I think if you can, it’s best to have, like enough costumes that you’re not repeating anything, but if like something comes up and you happen to go out again, but you weren’t planning for it, it’s not that serious. Yeah.” 

At the end of the day, Halloween is the perfect opportunity to be creative and expressive; but like Maya said, it’s never that serious. Wear what you want, do what you want, be who you want! Halloween, to us, is not about the costumes, but what they represent. It’s about letting go for a night, and embodying a persona that compliments, or contrasts with the real you. In the end, it’s a fun night to be anything but yourself. Anyways, I hope you enjoyed reading—stay tuned for the next 2104 interviews! Until then, stay chic!