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Retailhalloween costume ideas

The Fortune Guide to Dressing Up for Halloween

By
Christina Austin
Christina Austin
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Christina Austin
Christina Austin
Down Arrow Button Icon
October 28, 2016, 11:00 AM ET
Jeff Chiu—AP; Courtesy of Jennifer Reingold

With Halloween just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to devise your clever and witty Halloween costume— the one that will surely impress your friends. We’ve consulted the Fortune staff for their best business-themed costume ideas and put together a handy list for inspiration. They’re all fairly simple and could be made with things that are likely available around your home or office. Just be warned, you may need to explain these costumes to your friends. But the punniest of costumes always need a bit of explanation, right?

Founder and CEO of Theranos Elizabeth Holmes

Elizabeth Holmes, left, and Fortune senior editor Jennifer Reingold dressed as Holmes, rightJeff Chiu—AP; Courtesy of Jennifer Reingold
Jeff Chiu—AP; Courtesy of Jennifer Reingold

Elizabeth Holmes’ company Theranos has gotten in hot water over the accuracy of its proprietary blood-drawing technology. Fortune‘s senior editor Jennifer Reingold dressed as Holmes for Halloween last year by wearing a black turtleneck sweater, tying her hair back, and carrying around a vial of (fake) blood.

Former CEO of Turing Pharmaceuticals Martin Shkreli Under Arrest

Martin Shkreli, CEO Reviled for Drug Price Gouging, Arrested on Securities Fraud Charges
Martin Shkreli being taken under arrest.Photograph from Bloomberg via Getty Images
Phtoograph from Bloomberg via Getty Images

Martin Shkreli dominated headlines for much of 2016 as the man who increased the price of a drug commonly used by cancer and HIV/AIDS patients by over 5,000%. He was arrested in December 2015 under securities fraud charges. For this costume, all you need are a pair of jeans, a gray zip-up hoodie, and an eternally smug look.

CEO of Mylan Pharmaceuticals Heather Bresch

House Oversight Committee Holds Hearing On Rising Price Of EpiPens With Mylan Inc. CEO Heather Bresch
Mylan CEO Heather Bresch holds up a two-pack of EpiPen as she testifies during a hearing before the House.Alex Wong—Getty Images
Alex Wong—Getty Images

Mylan has come under fire this year for drastically raising the price of EpiPens. Heather Bresch has been called to testify to explain the company’s decision. For this costume, emulate Bresch and carry around a two-pack of EpiPens. (Note: this costume costs $600.)

Recently-Resigned Wells Fargo CEO John Stumpf

US-BANKING-CONGRESS-WELLS FARGO
John Stumpf, chairman and CEO of [hotlink]Wells Fargo[/hotlink], testifies during a Senate hearing.Photograph by Saul Loeb — AFP/Getty Images
Photograph by Saul Loeb — AFP/Getty Images

Wells Fargo is currently under investigation for signing its customers up for bank accounts and credit cards they did not agree to, which put former CEO John Stumpf in the hot seat. Wear a suit and tie, make yourself a wrist cast, and have Wells Fargo bank brochures coming out of your pockets.

Megyn Kelly

US-VOTE-REPUBLICANS-DEBATE
Megyn Kelly during the Republican Presidential debate in Des Moines.Photograph by Jim Watson—AFP/Getty Images
Photograph by Jim Watson—AFP/Getty Images

Megyn Kelly is in the the midst of negotiating her contract with Fox, and it’s rumored to be worth upwards of $20 million. To channel your inner Kelly, dress in your preferred news-anchor attire and have fake blood dripping from your eyes and ears (a reference to Trump’s comments towards her during an early presidential debate) and a large check sticking out of your pocket.

For more on Halloween, watch this Fortune video:

Donald Trump’s Blank Tax Return

, 2016 Republican Presidential Candidate, Speaks During A Rally Aboard The Battleship
Donald TrumpVisions of America—UIG via Getty Images
Photograph by Visions of America—UIG via Getty Images

Donald Trump has said time and time again that he will not release his tax returns, despite what past candidates have typically done. So, as a very simple costume (we’re talking five minutes of total prep time), dress in all white and wear a sign to identify yourself as “Donald Trump’s Federal Taxes” with a large question mark on your shirt. Extra points if you wear a Make America Great Again hat.

Unemployed Billy Bush

VIDEO FRAME GRAB: In this 2005 frame from video, Donald Trump (
Donald Trump and Billy Bush, left, in a frame from a 2005 video.The Washington Post via Getty Images
Photograph by Washington Post via Getty Images

Billy Bush was fired from NBC’s Today show after a tape was released that showed him and Trump having a lewd conversation about women. Dress as a disheveled Bush and hold a sign that says “Available for Hire.”

Undecided Voter Ken Bone

Ken Bone listens to Democratic presidential nominee Clinton debate Republican nominee Trump during their presidential debate in St. Louis
Ken Bone (R), an uncommitted voter, shown during the telecast of a presidential debate.Rick Wilking—Reuters
Rick Wilking—Reuters

Ken Bone quickly won over America’s hearts when he was shown during the airing of the Oct. 9 presidential debate (and just as quickly fell from grace). Wear a red quarter-zip Izod sweater, khakis, and black-rimmed glasses for this ensemble.

Boris Johnson

Boris Johnson And Michael Gove Address The Nation After EU Referendum Victory
British Foreign Secretary Boris JohnsonPhotograph by Mary Turner—Getty Images
Photograph by Mary Turner—Getty Images

Boris Johnson became the British foreign secretary in a cabinet reshuffle following the Brexit vote. Dress as BoJo by walking around with an empty jar of Marmite and a tail between your legs.

Elon Musk as a Martian

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk Unveils Company's New Manned Spacecraft, The Dragon V2
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk during a 2014 news conference.Photograph by Kevork Djansezian — Getty Images
Photograph by Kevork Djansezian — Getty Images

Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has high hopes for getting people to Mars, but he said he doesn’t want to be the first person to visit the planet for fear of dying. Dress in business casual with a space helmet on. Bonus points if you paint yourself green to look like an alien.

Couple’s Costume: IBM CEO Ginni Rometty and Watson

Key Participants At Fortune's Annual Most Powerful Women Event
Ginni RomettyPatrick T. Fallon—Bloomberg via Getty Images
Photograph by Patrick T. Fallon—Bloomberg via Getty Images

Ginni Rometty and Watson go hand-in-hand, hence making the perfect Halloween couple. For the person dressing as Rometty: wear a blonde wig, headband, and pearls. For the person dressing as Watson: dress as a Jeopardy! podium with the word “Watson” scribbled on it.

Group Costume: German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Coats of Many Colors

Angela Merkel in one of her typical four-button blazers.Christos DOGAS
Christos DOGAS Christos DOGAS

German chancellor Angela Merkel is known for wearing four-button blazers and black pants. Gather a group of friends and have each person wear a different color blazer. Click here to see all of your color options.

BONUS: The Strong Dollar

Dress as a bill (here’s an option) and add either Hulk arms or carry around free weights.

About the Author
By Christina Austin
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