Halloween is almost here, and that means it's time to get your costume in order for all the parties you'll be attending. Instead of grabbing the same mask you've been wearing for years, put together a costume that reflects your true love: sneakers. Don't be lame and go as a "hypebeast," but, instead, build your sneakers into characters that will get recognized at parties for all the right reasons. To make things easier, here's a one-stop shop to get everything together and to find out 10 Sneakers You Can Build Your Halloween Costume Around.
Billy Hoyle (White Men Can't Jump)
Sneakers: Nike Air Command Force, Buy It Now
The epitome of '90s streetball style, Woody Harrelson's character in the 1992 film White Men Can't Jump is remembered just as much for his wicked jump shot as he is his super high-cut sneakers. To boot, Hoyle sported the loud, vibrant prints and slouchy sportswear that the earlier stage of that decade was known for.
What else to cop:
Tube socks, Buy It Now
Sweat shorts, Buy It Now
Parental Advisory T-shirt, Buy It Now
Printed button-up shirt, Buy It Now
Tie-dye hat, Buy It Now
Forrest Gump
Sneakers: Nike Cortez, Buy It Now
It might not be the best idea to run in the Nike Cortez in 2014, but that doesn't stop it from being one of, if not the most, iconic sneakers Nike has ever put out. Its legend was only furthered by Tom Hanks' portrayal of Forrest Gump in 1994. He jogged in those sneakers A LOT, and if you grab some chinos, a short-sleeve button-up shirt, and some striped socks, you can run Halloween night, too.
What else to cop:
Short-sleeve button-up shirt, Buy It Now
Chinos, Buy It Now
Socks, Buy It Now
Mars Blackmon (Spike Lee)
Sneakers: Air Jordan III, Buy It Now
Spike Lee may have made his first appearance as Mars Blackmon in the 1986 film She's Gotta Have it, but his character became famous through his ad campaigns as Michael Jordan's thick-rimmed, pesky but lovable sidekick that helped Nike sell a ton of sneakers. His style represents the good old days to many sneakerheads, and dressing up as Mars for Halloween shows that you know your history.
What else to cop:
Cycling hat, Buy It Now
Glasses, Buy It Now
Tank top, Buy It Now
Grey T-shirt, Buy It Now
Printed shorts, Buy It Now
Cycling gloves, Buy It Now
Marty McFly (Back to the Future)
Sneakers: Nike Mag, Buy It Now
To sneakerheads, Back to the Future II — the one where Marty McFly, played by Michael J. Fox, gets his Nike Mags and hoverboard — is a thing of lore. When Nike finally released the sneakers in 2011, people put up big cash to get a pair. The film took place in 2015, which is just one year away, so we're hoping that the sneakers get released at retail. But for now, we'll have to pony up the cash or get the replica pairs (which already sold out) to dress up as McFly. If not, there's always next year.
What else to cop:
Jacket, Buy It Now
Lightwash jeans, Buy It Now
Multi-colored hat, Buy It Now
Hoverboard, Buy It Now
Andre Agassi
Sneakers: Nike Air Tech Challenge II, Buy It Now
Andre Agassi is known for his play as much as much as his '90s on-court style. When it wasn't bright Nike tennis sneakers or denim outfits, Agassi was wearing a wig during matches, which he credits to his losing the French Open in 1990. The Air Tech Challenge II, Agassi's most well-known signature sneaker, has made its return this year, so they're not hard to get if you want to go out as him this Halloween. If you decide to show up in the complementary Hot Lava gear, you might just be the loudest person at the party.
What else to cop:
Polo shirt, Buy It Now
Running shorts, Buy It Now
Pink spandex shorts, Buy It Now
Mullet wig, Buy It Now
Tennis racket, Buy It Now
Pharrell
Sneakers: adidas Stan Smith, Buy It Now
The adidas Stan Smith has seen a huge resurgence this year after being put back in the archives for a bit. This is, in part, thanks to Pharrell's dedication to the tennis sneaker with his wearing of custom pairs and collaborating on the silhouette, too. If it's something else Pharrell is known for in 2014, besides looking forever young and making us dance, it's wearing Vivienne Westwood hats and adidas track jackets. You probably have a pair of Stans in your rotation right now, and a standard adidas Firebird jacket is always a safe go-to compared to the thousand-dollar Pharrell-designed leather joints that just dropped. Grab one of those and a costume version of the Westwood hat, or the real thing if you're a baller, and you'll be happy this season.
What else to cop:
Track jacket, Buy It Now
Brown hat, Buy It Now
The Fresh Prince
Sneakers: Air Jordan V, Buy It Now
You don't have to be from West Philadelphia to know that Will Smith's portrayal of The Fresh Prince is still looked up to by nearly every sneakerhead. That's because he wore great sneakers on a regular basis. If you want to give your Jordan Vs a spin this season (sans laces), grab your freshest retro gear and put together a costume to help you max and relax on the 31st.
What else to cop:
Pink snapback, Buy It Now
Striped T-shirt, Buy It Now
Printed shorts, Buy It Now
Crew socks, Buy It Now
Jeff Spicoli (Fast Times at Ridgemont High)
Sneakers: Vans Slip-Ons, Buy It Now
After all the preparation that goes into a successful Halloween, it can be easy to forget that it's about having fun. If you're not the type that has a hard time having a blast (or getting into trouble), then Spicoli, the pizza-ordering, clam-baking character played by Sean Penn in Fast Times at Ridgemont High, is for you. Just throw on a fresh pair of Vans Slip-Ons and you're good to go.
What else to cop:
Short-sleeve button-up shirt, Buy It Now
Ripped jeans, Buy It Now
Bagel, Buy It Now
Wig, Buy it Now
Bruce Lee
Sneakers: Onitsuka Tiger Tai Chi, Buy It Now
There are a lot of badass guys you can dress up like for Halloween, but there's only one Bruce Lee. In Game of Death, Lee infamously wore a yellow-and-black jumpsuit with a pair of Onitsuka Tiger sneakers. This has since inspired a pair of Kobes, Eva Thurman's outfit in Kill Bill, and a subsequent pair of ASICS Gel Sagas. But if you're like us, you'll go with the O.G.s.
What else to cop:
Yellow jumpsuit, Buy It Now
Steve Jobs
Sneakers: New Balance 992, Buy It Now
The items that Steve Jobs invented at Apple made our lives easier. Taking a look at his wardrobe, it's easy to see that he lived the "less is more" mantra. His daily 'fit consisted of a black turtleneck, worn-in jeans, and a grey suede pair of Made in USA New Balance 992s. To put together this ensemble, you can either raid your dad's closet, or grab just a few items. Genius.
What else to cop:
Black turtleneck, Buy It Now
Dad jeans, Buy It Now
iPhone, Buy It Now
Glasses, Buy It Now
