Need some Halloween costume inspiration this treat or treating season? Grab your boyfriend, girlfriend, spouse, pet, or whoever you can convince to dress up with you, and try out one of these Southern pairs for your next Halloween costume party. These Southern Halloween couples costumes are easy enough to pull together in a hurry, but with a little bit of planning and preparation, you can also make them Halloween party showstoppers. From music to film to literature, we’ve gathered plenty of costume inspiration for you and your friends this Halloween season. Once you show your partner or costume crew these Southern Halloween couples costume ideas, you'll have no trouble getting them on board with your plan. Prepare your Southern couple costumes in advance and keep it a secret to make sure that your duo comes out on top in this year’s costume contest.
Elvis Presley and Priscilla Presley
Have fun with this costume pair. Rhinestones? Check. Slick black wigs? Check. If you choose these costumes, you’ll certainly be expected to dance a little—and someone might ask you to sing “Burning Love”—but that’s par for the course with this rock ’n’ roll-inspired costume.
The costume will change depending on the Elvis era that you want to impersonate, but you’ll be safe with a black wig, bedazzled sunglasses, and a dapper suit. Priscilla Presley has always been known for her long black hair, so for her costume, add a wig and a floaty, 1970s-era dress, and you are good to go. Or you can try a costume inspired by the Presleys’ wedding day with a floaty veil and a white, long-sleeved lace dress.
Tim McGraw and Faith Hill
Are you a country music fan? Then you should definitely impersonate this duo with your better half. The First Couple of Country is known for their devotion to their family and their stellar voices. So, if anyone asks you on Halloween, “Who you are dressed up as?” just break into a dramatic rendition of “It’s Your Love.” You may want to carry microphones for effect. Be sure your harmonies are on point, or, if there’s no chance of that, then just belt it. Go bold. It is Halloween, after all.
For a Tim McGraw costume, you’ll need a ten-gallon cowboy hat, a dazzling belt buckle, a plaid shirt, and jeans. You can go glam with your Faith Hill costume or casual with jeans, a plaid button-down shirt, and cowboy boots. You can also check out her music videos for inspiration. (“This Kiss,” circa 1998, has some great outfits.)
The Chain Gang from O, Brother Where Art Thou
This isn’t a couples costume, but a trio of friends should definitely dress up as the chain-gang group of escaped convicts from the Cohen Brothers’ film O Brother, Where Art Thou? Ulysses Everett McGill, Pete Hogwallop, and Delmar O’Donnell, played by George Clooney, John Turturro, and Tim Blake Nelson, respectively, are a rollicking good time on the silver screen, and you’ll have just as much fun dressed as them for Halloween.
For your Everett, Pete, and Delmar costumes, black-and-white striped pants and long-sleeved shirts will do for all three. You should also fashion chains out of silver cardstock or cardboard painted silver. Everett will definitely need a tin of hair pomade. All three of you should have a wild look in your eyes, like someone’s after you.
Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash
What a duo. Johnny and June are a legendary Southern couple. When Vanity Fair asked about his vision of paradise, Johnny Cash said, “This morning, with her, having coffee.” Could there be anything sweeter? If you want to give your costumes an infusion of old-fashioned Southern romance, take a spin as this couple, both of whom transcend the ranks of country music royalty and helped shape the modern country music landscape.
It goes without saying, but if you are dressing up as Johnny Cash, wear all black and carry a guitar. You’ll want to repeat, “I’m Johnny Cash,” before you speak to anyone. (You can get a great tutorial from Joaquin Phoenix’s portrayal of the singer in the 2009 film Walk The Line, which also has fantastic costume inspiration.) The film can provide great ideas for June Carter Cash costumes as well (in Walk the Line, she was portrayed by Southern actress Reese Witherspoon). In any case, you can’t go wrong with a tailored dress and heels. Polish your Southern accent, and carry around a microphone for impromptu performances of their hits.
Maggie and Brick from Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
Celebrate the world of Tennessee Williams with this Southern Halloween couple costume inspired by two of his most memorable characters. Take your cues from the film version of Williams’ play and practice your best Elizabeth Taylor and Paul Newman impressions.
For a Maggie the Cat costume, you can choose from any number of clothing options—a glam, gathered dress or silky pajamas—plus the requisite red lips and pinned curls. To be Brick, you should wear cotton pajamas, walk around on crutches, and play up a moody demeanor. If people ask you about your injury, tell them that you fell while jumping hurdles on the track at your old high school.
Peas and Carrots
This last-minute, easy-as-can-be couples costume is inspired by Forrest Gump. If you’re short on time, one of you should wear green and the other wear orange. When people ask about your costume, just proclaim, “Jenny and me was like peas and carrots.” Everyone loves a Forrest Gump reference—and a costume that is as clever as it is easy to throw together.
