[ot-caption title=”Students from the Class of 2014 dressed up for Halloween as sushi. (via Alana Steinberg)” url=”https://pcpawprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/1415501_10201794686220884_1444837342_o-e14141887392631.jpg”]

Halloween is right around the corner and finding a costume can sometimes be a struggle. However, there are thousands of options out there, ranging from superheroes to nurses, but do you want to go with the traditional boring costume or be original and stand out? Some of the hottest Halloween costume trends for this year are inspired by current events and pop culture, so just use a little imagination and have fun.

One idea expected to be one of the most popular costume trends for 2014 is Ebola. This does not mean you should dress up as the disease itself, but you can buy a hazmat suit, including the protective gear, the mask to go with it, and disposable medical gloves, so that your entire body is covered, just like a doctor who would be exposed to someone with this virus. Although this is an extremely creative and current idea, there is controversy that comes with it, some say the costume is in poor taste given recent events. Sophomore Lisa Zheutlin agrees stating, “I think the Ebola costume is creative, but don’t think people should be joking about a disease that is affecting and harming so many people because it’s kind of insensitive.” Even though there is some disagreement, many find the costume to be fun and extremely original.

What about dressing up like a character from the Disney blockbuster Frozen? Dressing up like the popular Elsa and Anna can be extremely simple, as there are now costumes for these characters available for purchase in basically every store you could imagine. If you do not want to buy it off the shelf and prefer to customize it a little, head over to the thrift store and buy a blue dress with blonde, long wig that you can braid. Whether it’s Anna, Elsa, or Olaf, embrace the “Let It Go” mantra, don’t be afraid to show your Frozen spirit,  and remember the cold never bothered you anyway!

Celebrities are also a popular theme for costumes this year. Two celebrities that would be really fun to emulate this Halloween are Ariana Grande and Pharrell. For the perfect Ariana Grande look, put your hair into a half up, half down do (use pony-tail extensions if you want it to look thicker just like Ariana) and rock a cute and little black dress with go-go boots! If you’re looking for a simpler approach to a costume, just throw on a brown oversized hat that looks similar to Pharrell’s from this year’s Grammys and add a red Adidas track jacket to look just like the “Happy” singer.

As you can see, it honestly does not take much to be creative. Just by putting on a big hat or a hazmat suit, you can be a million times more creative than you would be if you just wore a traditional costume. Whether it’s going to a costume shop and piecing your idea together with store-bought items or by making it yourself, you will look that much more original than someone with a conventional costume.

On Halloween here at Pine Crest, the Seniors get the privilege of dressing up in their Halloween costumes. Costumes from last year ranged from alligators to sushi, and underclassmen awed at their creativity. This year’s seniors have a lot to live up to and are really looking forward to fulfilling this special tradition.

Senior Brittany Paris said, “I’m not gonna tell you my costume because I don’t wanna ruin the surprise, but I’m super excited for senior dress up! I’ve been shopping around for the perfect costume and can’t wait for everyone to see it!”

Senior Meredith Kava added, “I’m so pumped to wear my Halloween costume to school.  I have had this costume planned out since freshmen year and it is going to be amazing!” Brittany and Meredith, along with the rest of the senior class, are extremely excited to fulfill this fun and festive tradition.

“I’m definitely excited for the seniors to dress up!  I am excited to finally exercise this privilege,” continued senior Brett Weiss. Pine Crest students and faculty certainly can not wait to see what kind of creative and original costumes the Class of 2015 will wear this year.

Sources: Fox News, Huffington Post