22 Early-2000s Halloween Costume Ideas
The early 2000s were truly an epic time. Boy bands captured the hearts of choker-wearing tween girls, pop princesses ruled Hollywood with low-rise jeans and bared midriffs, and Disney Channel original movies were the peak of television greatness. With so many iconic looks and pop culture moments, it's no wonder this era became the inspiration behind Halloween costumes everywhere.
Whether you want to go for Britney Spears's "Oops!...I Did It Again" music-video look or dress up as Penny Proud from "The Proud Family," you can't go wrong with a 2000s costume. Not only are they cute and easy to DIY, but they will also immediately transport you and your friends back to the days of flip phones, Tamagotchis, and iPod Nanos. Hello, throwback.
To help you narrow down your look, here are the most incredible 2000s Halloween costumes inspired by the new millennium. If you can manage to choose a favorite from this list, any 20-something who experienced life from 2000 to 2010 will love your nostalgic costume choice. Put down your Motorola Razr, and check out these blasts from the past.
For more Halloween content, check out POPSUGAR's guide on the hottest costume ideas, decor, and more, here.
— Additional reporting by Haley Lyndes and Taylor Andrews
Early-2000s Halloween Costume Idea: Margot Tenenbaum From "The Royal Tenenbaums"
While any Wes Anderson film makes for great costume inspiration, Gwyneth Paltrow's Margot Tenenbaum from "The Royal Tenenbaums" is one of the absolute best. All you need for this early-2000s costume are a blond wig and a fur coat — and plenty of eyeliner.
Early-2000s Halloween Costume Idea: Mia Thermopolis
No matter what phase of Mia's makeover in "The Princess Diaries" you decide to replicate, your costume is sure to be a royal hit. For pre-makeover Mia, tease out frizzy hair and slip on a prep-school uniform.
Early-2000s Halloween Costume Idea: Jennifer Lopez
In the early 2000s, J Lo's famous booty was the face (or bottom?) of Juicy sweats. Break out that velvet tracksuit and some sweet shades to channel the pop star this October.
Early-2000s Halloween Costume Idea: Britney Spears in "Oops!...I Did It Again" Music Video
Britney Spears's most iconic outfits were those worn in her "...Baby One More Time" and "Oops!...I Did It Again" videos. Dress as a sweet schoolgirl or a red space explorer to spark plenty of 2000s pop nostalgia.
Early-2000s Halloween Costume Idea: Lara Croft From "Tomb Raider"
Angelina Jolie used her tough-girl qualities to play a perfect Lara Croft in "Tomb Raider." Fake handguns, hiking boots, and some cargo shorts will scare even the toughest villains this Halloween.
Early-2000s Halloween Costume Idea: Penny Proud
Disney Channel cartoon "The Proud Family" features many fun characters, but protagonist Penny is the most memorable. To emulate Penny's iconic look, put your hair in some pigtails and wear a maroon skirt.
Early-2000s Halloween Costume Idea: "Coyote Ugly"
To live out your "Coyote Ugly" bartending dreams, throw on some cowboy boots and jean shorts for a throwback unlike any other. Just maybe don't stand up on the bar and spray patrons with water if you don't have the real bartender's permission.
Early-2000s Halloween Costume Ideas: Dancing Lobsters
When she played Judge Trudy on her namesake variety show, Amanda Bynes ended her courtroom cases with dancing lobsters. Become the very lobsters that made you laugh as a child by donning red clothes and holding up your hands like claws.
Early-2000s Halloween Costume Idea: Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera
For a funny best-friend costume idea, dress up as Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera. For Aguilera, dye streaks into your hair and slip into some chaps, and for Spears, go with a nude, sparkly ensemble.
Early-2000s Halloween Costume Idea: Raven Baxter
To dress up like Raven from hit show "That's So Raven," put on a basic shirt, wear denim on denim, and put your hair up. Just note that while Raven's look is one thing, nailing the Halloween costume is all about perfecting your "I'm having a vision" look.
Early-2000s Halloween Costume Idea: Meg From "Family Guy"
Meg from "Family Guy" was definitely an early-2000s TV staple. The character's trademark beanie, glasses, and pink tee are all easy to replicate.
Early-2000s Halloween Costume Idea: Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie
The "hottest," sassiest, and most iconic reality-TV duo of the new millennium was definitely Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie. Channel the heiresses by rocking some denim overalls and carrying a toy pooch.
Early-2000s Halloween Costume Idea: Pikachu
Whether "Pokémon the Movie 2000" introduced you to Pokémon or another avenue like the trading card game or its Cartoon Network TV show, Pokémon will never go out of style. Transform into Pikachu with blushed cheeks, a yellow outfit, and tall ears.
Early-2000s Halloween Costume Idea: SpongeBob SquarePants
The chipper sponge from Nickelodeon's "SpongeBob SquarePants" wears the same outfit every day: a red tie, a white collared shirt, brown pants, and a pair of striped knee-high socks. Become the sea dweller yourself with a yellow T-shirt, a brown skirt (or pants), and striped socks.
Early-2000s Halloween Costume Idea: "Totally Spies!"
Alex, Sam, and Clover, is that you? All you need are green, red, and yellow bodysuits with red, blond, and black wigs to bring these "Totally Spies!" characters to life.
Early-2000s Halloween Costume Idea: Trixie Tang From "The Fairly Oddparents"
This preppy character may have stolen Timmy Turner's heart on "The Fairly Oddparents," but you can steal her look for Halloween. Dress up as Trixie by wearing a purple turtleneck and headband accompanied by a white skirt and boots.
Early-2000s Halloween Costume Idea: Princess Tiana
"The Princess and the Frog" is such a sweet Disney movie, and Princess Tiana steals our hearts every time. To dress up as this Disney princess, wear an elegant green dress, a crown, and gloves.
Early-2000s Halloween Costume Idea: Isis From "Bring It On"
Whether you want to dress up as Isis or any other member of the Clovers cheerleading team from the original "Bring It On," it's pretty easy — just pick up the costume from your local Halloween store. Or better yet, use a green cheerleading suit you already own; just make sure it says "Clovers" on it.
Early-2000s Halloween Costume Idea: Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake
For an epic 2000s Halloween couples' costume, go as Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake this Halloween. White it's as simple and easy as wearing denim on denim, the denim hat and sunglasses are a must.
Early-2000s Halloween Costume Idea: Eliza Thornberry
Eliza's role in "The Wild Thornberrys" may have been talking to animals, but you can start conversations with fellow Halloween partygoers by dressing like her. Simply buy a bright-red wig (or flaunt your own red hair) and put on some round glasses when channeling this character.
Early-2000s Halloween Costume Idea: Kim Possible
When people see your envy-inducing costume, they might start calling and beeping you to ask where you found it. Green cargo pants, orange hair, and black sneakers are important to this Kim Possible costume, but the vital piece is a beeper (or your phone).
Early-2000s Halloween Costume Idea: Elle Woods From "Legally Blonde"
With her all-pink ensembles, cute little dog, and spunky personality, "Legally Blonde"'s Elle Woods makes the perfect girlie costume inspiration. You can go with Elle's professional look with a pink skirt suit and by stowing a real or fake Bruiser in your purse.