We love Halloween here at Brit + Co, I mean really love it. And we also embrace the celebrations in all of their forms, from IRL blow-out bashes to WFH office parties. If you've got a virtual Halloween party to attend on Zoom with your remote team or friends across the country, here's how to get dolled up for the best costuming and celebrating from a Zoom-y distance. Keep reading for fun ways to dress up with wigs, makeup, and festive tops without having to worry about what you've got on the bottom — basically, the costume version of a mullet. Happy Halloween!
Brit + Co
Ahoy, matey! Just grab a red scarf, eyepatch, striped shirt and a fishtail side braid for this classic and super easy costume.
Brit + Co
Stand out with a costume that's part-Ancient Egyptian, part-badass babe. With some eyeliner and well-chosen accessories, you'll be able to craft up a Queen-of-Egypt-inspired Halloween costume that's sure to blow your Zoom party guests away.
Brit + Co
White button down and red polka dot headscarf, easy peasy. For the hair, pin up half of your hair and twist it up into a bun. Then take the rest of your hair and create another bun a little lower on your head. Top the look off with the scarf, and you'll be riveting in no time. :)
Brit + Co
Does Frozen still melt your heart? Be everyone's favorite snow queen with this DIY costume.
Brit + Co
Top off your top knot with a tiara, then add a LBD, pearls, coffee and sunnies.
Brit + Co
We've seen this costume before, but this look is too dang cute to pass up. Especially when all you need is a yellow wig and some craft supplies. Draw out the face onto felt and cut it out, then glue the head piece to a headband. Everything else can be taped to the wig.
Brit + Co
Whether you're going for a clown or a mime vibe, this kinda creepy, kinda cute look will achieve all of your Halloween dreams.
Brit + Co
It's been quite some time since Gaga donned her signature bow, but we'll never get enough of it. Head to our Hair Bow tutorial here for the full how-to.
Brit + Co
Okay, this may be really, really basic, but it is a Halloween staple. Plus, it's the one time of year you can wear all orange, all the time. Grab an orange wigand go!
Brit + Co
Here's an excuse to break out that cute pink wig in your closet. Add a Pink Ladies jacket and bubble gum and you're ready for beauty school!
Brit + Co
You can go with the full Strawberry Shortcake costume or just order a pink wig and bonnet— then add freckles and a pink top and you're Zoom ready!
Brit + Co
If you are looking to really up your costume game and stand out on Zoom, go for this pop art makeup look. Pop on some comic leggings (totally WFH-friendly!) and yellow wig too.
Brit + Co
Don a black lip and eye makeup, then use that same eye makeup or black face paint to create a faux widow's peak. Spooky!
Brit + Co
We are as obsessed with our '80s cartoon characters as we are with wig costumes. For bright pink tresses, Jem is an absolute must!
Brit + Co
This fierce villain oozes style, even if she is totally evil. Use spray hair dye on half of your head, then top off the look with red gloves, a faux fur coat, cigarette holder and a little Dalmatian. Oh, and that evil cackle is essential.
Brit + Co
Every girl's backup costume is also the perfect Zoom costume. We made our ears by attaching black foam ears to a headband, but you can easily find a readymade option at just about any store this time of year. Get the full Black Cat makeup tutorial right here.
Brit + Co
Don a black witch hat and follow this makeup tutorial for this spooky cool green witch.
Brit + Co
The hair hack here is that slick top knot and the crowning tiara, though the key to the whole scene is obviously those crazy eyes. Here's a great tutorial right herefor gals who want to go all out.
Brit + Co
Or go for any of Katy Perry's Dark Horse video costumes with these Brit + Co DIYs.
Brit + Co
This Mad Hatter costume is pretty easy to replicate. Grab a brown jacket from your closet, orange wig and top hat. The thread holster is made by stringing thread spools onto yarn and draping it over the shoulder. The makeup is an understated version inspired by the original, but really easy to recreate. And yes, those are fake eyelashes as eyebrows!
Brit + Co
You can just stay on mute!
Brit + Co
Your co-workers will immediately get the idea once you show up with your pink visor, watercolor swimsuit and bike shorts outfit! They may even get a little jealous!
Brit + Co
"That girl is poison" best describes former botanist turned green seductress Poison Ivy. See how you can DIY this costume here!
Brit + Co
Maybe you prefer to be a bada**, take no prisoners green goddess like Gamora from the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise. For fun, you can try your hand at method acting by acting like her during your virtual Halloween party. Just try to keep the sarcasm on the lighter side.
Brit + Co
To make things more fun, you and a few co-workers can dress up as Minions! It's a DIY-costume that's inexpensive and funny.
Brit + Co
Hocus Pocus is basically life for the Brit + Co team so it only makes sense to show up to your virtual Halloween party wearing one of the above costumes!
Planning any virtual Halloween gatherings? Share your costumes with us @BritandCo!
Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial
If there's one thing about Gilmore Girls fans you can count on, it's their passion. They love the quirky one liners, memorable moments, and are usually either Team Jess or Team Logan (sorry Dean...). Give any Gilmore Girls lover in your life the chance to transport themselves to Stars Hollow this holiday season — without having to make the trek to Washington, Connecticut or the Warner Bros. stage in Hollywood. These Gilmore Girls gift ideas are fun, thoughtful, and very cozy, which are also three hallmarks of the series itself! From a coffee mug that Luke Danes would approve of to the perfect gifts for Taylor Swift fans, this Gilmore Girlsgift guide will make you say "Oy with the poodles already!"
Amazon
Hot Topic
I was absolutely gagged the first time I saw this backpack. Tiny pizza slices, both the Luke's Diner and Chilton logos, AND the gazebo? I need this, like, right now.
Sunday Best
Consider this white cable knit sweaterthe Rory Gilmore sweater for the season. I cannot stop wearing mine. It's super soft and the perfect medium weight (meaning you won't be cold but you also won't feel weighed down). It's also not itchy at all. I love wearing it with jeans, or tucked into trousers or a skirt.
Amazon
For a more subtle nod to the fashion on the show, a blue baseball cap gives major Luke Danes vibes without having to walk around wearing Gilmore Girls merchandise. Wear it with a crewneck and oversized coat now (hello '90s "It" girl!) and a tee shirt come spring.
Book of the Month
Channel your inner Rory with the Book of the Month subscription service. The cool part about someone else picking out the books is that you'll find titles — and authors — you didn't even know to look for.
Nordstrom
It wouldn't be an episode of Gilmore Girls without a cup of coffee, or a martini at one of Richard and Emily's Friday night dinners. Combine the two iconic beverages with these statement earrings! They're bold, they're quirky, and they'll be the talk of all your holiday parties.
Etsy
Nothing screams Stars Hollow like a festival, and this autumnal poster celebrates the best parts of small town life. Whether you choose to display it in a gallery wall or on a bookshelf, you'll feel like you're coming home every time you look at it.
Etsy
With a Luke's Diner mug, you can pretend you really are in Stars Hollow. Bonus points if you're also having a big stack of pancakes!
Etsy
If you're more of an iced coffee fan, even in the winter (I wonder what Luke would have to say about that?), grab a glass with a super cute design. Not only do I love that Rory and Lorelai are featured in the design, but the color palette is beautiful, too!
Maisonette
Getting your little into the Gilmore Girls spirit? They definitely need a lovable stuffed dog. Again I say, "Oy with the poodles already!"
Handker Bandanas
For another low-key nod to the ultimate BFF's, grab a bandana in your favorite color (like this one that uses untreated, non-GMO cotton!). In true Y2K fashion, Sookie and Lorelai wear bandanas throughout the show, so this is a super fun way to incorporate their style into your own closet this winter.
Etsy
A delicate dragonfly necklace is a beautiful layering piece that will add summer cheer to the dreariest of winter days and remind you of Dragonfly Inn at the same time. The fact that dragonflies represent new beginnings is just the cherry on top.
Etsy
Have you been binging Gilmore Girls during the day and watching Eras Tour TikTok livestreams at night? This T-shirt has your name written all over it. My personal favorite detail is that Kirk is in the debut square.
Etsy
There's nothing like layering a turtleneck, a crewneck, and a bunch of jewelry for a trip to your corner coffee shop, so swap your go-to crewneck for this festive Stars Hollow one! The gazebo is instantly recognizable for Gilmore Girls fans and just looking at the design makes me want to say, "I smell snow."
Walmart
One of my favorite Christmas presents in recent years was the full Gilmore Girls DVD set. This 42-disc DVD set has every single episode and even more hours of unaired clips, behind the scenes features, and episode commentaries. I'm geeking out just thinking about it.
Amazon
Gilmore Girls recipes are always delicious, and always pretty easy (after all, Lorelai and Rory basically only eat takeout and Luke's!). The official cookbook will let you put your own spin on the food you seen onscreen, and then you can have a truly meta experience by eating your meal while you watch the Gilmores eat theirs.
Amazon
Tried-and-true Gilmore Girls fans will love diving into this trivia book. Because this game (which features 200 questions) has an 88-page episode guide and goes through every. Single. Episode. Worth it!
Amazon
TBH, I think kids books are great for book lovers of any age. The art and simple storytelling really get my creative juices flowing. At Home In Stars Hollow will make you (or a family member or friend) love Gilmore Girls in a whole new way!
Cande Craft Company
This all-natural soy candle has every scent a Gilmore Girls fan will love: coffee, sweet cream, and vanilla. It's cozy and balances sweet and bitter in a really intoxicating way.
Amazon
Okay, I'll be honest. I want these plushes for myself! The design is a hilarious nod to the season one episode "The Lorelais' First Day At Chilton" and even features a tiny coffee mug and tiny book!
Rock Em Socks
Now that we're in knee-high boot season (which I FINALLY bought), I like to wear super fun, colorful, and chaotic socks. Grab a pack of Gilmore Girls socks to take some Stars Hollow magic with you no matter where you go.
Etsy
For this bookish blind date, you'll receive a Rory-themed read, a tea bag, a bookmark, and stickers. You really can't go wrong.
Favorite Child
Carrying your favorite books in a tote bag with the Stars Hollow Books logo feels like it's meant to be.
Amazon
Lauren Graham's collection of essays will give you a glimpse behind the curtain as she offers thoughtful stories about life, aging, and the industry.
Which gifts from this Gilmore Girls gift guide will you be buying for your friends (or yourself)? Let us know in the comments!
Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.
This post has been updated.
We have a serious appreciation for all things creative, like these plus-size Halloween costumes, and we have a hunch you’ll love some of our newest finds, too. Afterward, if you still haven’t decided on which costume to wear this Halloween, gather your group of besties and get their opinion — or, better yet, pick out a group Halloween costume, and you can all dress up together! Here are 40 of the most curve-lovin’ (and seriously hot) plus-size Halloween costumes you’ll find out there this season.
Yandy
Cruella de Vil will always hold a special place among our most-feared villains, right alongside Voldemort and Ursula. After all, she’s going after puppies! But on Halloween, the celebration of the gruesome and morbid, this evilness equates to fabulousness, and we’ll more than forgive you for dressing up like her… just this once.
Walmart
Channel your deepest, darkest powers and channel your inner Maleficent this Halloween. “So you see, the story is not quite as you were told.”
Amazon
Wait, so we can look cute *and* be toasty-warm?! We’re sayin’ yes to this fuzzy zip-up.
Yandy
Get ready for liftoff in this flight attendant costume. If you’re a travel-lover, this is the perfect way to bring your passion into your costume.
Brit + Co
This has to be the ultimate curvy bombshell character to channel on Halloween. The dress, gloves, hair, and makeup are bold and will definitely put your bangin’ bod front and center. (via Brit + Co)
Amazon
Frisky attitude not included. This plus size Halloween costume might look simple, but it’s anything but basic.
Amazon
There’s nothing as fun — and a little dangerous — as the glitz and glamour of the ’20s. Throw on a long string of pearls or do your makeup to look like a ghostly flapper for that extra creative edge.
Brit + Co
We’ll always be a sucker for classic Disney costumes. And if you want to give Ursula that extra-special take, you can follow this relatively simple DIY for the costume contest win! (via Brit + Co)
Halloween Costumes
This is — hands down — one of the best mermaid costumes we’ve ever seen. From the form-fitting metallic mermaid “tail” to the bustier top, this is for sure a look to emulate if you want to flaunt your curves.
Yandy
Down the rabbit hole you go this Halloween. You never know what’s going to happen when you channel this fairytale classic!
Halloween Costumes
You had us at gold, sequins, and tulle. Oh, and we’re always down to rule the sea!
Amazon
We’ll always love our classic Disney princesses, especially this beauty.
Amazon
You don’t need a Mickey to look fly as heck in a retro-inspired Minnie Mouse getup.
Amazon
One of the best reasons to dress up as an ancient Egyptian is obviously the cat-eye makeup.
Amazon
Pay homage to one of your favorite fairy tales with a sexy twist. Plus, if you haven’t worn a cape before, you truly haven’t lived.
Amazon
It may be illegal to impersonate a police officer, but no one ever said a flirty cop was off-limits!
Halloween Costumes
We could all use a fairy godmother, albeit notthis scheming one from Shrek. Still, this is a hilarious costume, and we’re definitely eyeing that wand and wig combo.
Amazon
We’re impressed with the mismatched thigh-highs and color-coordinated armbands on this plus-size Halloween costume.
Amazon
The name of this costume says it all. If you’re in the mood to prioritize comfort, you’ll feel extra-snuggly in this cozy bat costume.
Amazon
If you loved the all-female Ghostbusters as much as we did, grab your friends and go as the whole crew. The best part? On Halloween, there will be plenty of monsters to bust, which makes a great conversation-starter!
Amazon
Everyone at this year's Halloween party will be buzzing about you in this flattering bee costume. You are the queen, after all!
Amazon
The beer maid costume is always a safe choice. It’s cute and classic, and you get to wear pigtails.
Amazon
If you’re going to wear this outfit out on the town, you’ll definitely have at least seven admirers following you wherever you go.
Amazon
Sail the open seas with this cute and comfy sailor costume. This retro getup is all about the accessories!
Yandy
Another way to celebrate Halloween is to celebrate the dead. Do it in style with this awesome costume.
Amazon
If you’re into traditional bones, this comfy number will surely scare the living dead out of you.
Amazon
This is the perfect Halloween costume for when you don’t really want to dress up. Flats? Check! Awesome jacket to keep you warm? Double check!
Walmart
No one is going to mess with you in this costume, and you just might feel faster than a speeding bullet.
Halloween Costumes
With plenty of sass and a whole lot of ruffles, this costume will have you dancing for joy.
Amazon
Be your own superhero with this sleek Elastigirl costume. You would look totally incredible in it.
Amazon
We wouldn’t drink the tea that this Alice serves. While we do love the original blue that Disney’s Alice wears, we are really digging this all-black dress too.
Amazon
Trick-or-treat in the name of justice! Grab Superman and bring him along too, because you two are friends now, remember?
Amazon
Keep this Halloween totally tubular by donning this adorable retro dress with go-go boots and a fun '70s eye makeup look!
Amazon
If you’re team Jason, then you need to buy this sexy number. While we’re not sure who would ultimately win this fight, we’re sure this outfit is already winning our hearts.
Walmart
While Superman is cool and all, we are particularly fond of Wonder Woman. She’s a badass chick that we are ready to represent. Flying an invisible jet doesn’t hurt, either.
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Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.
This post has been updated with additional reporting by Meredith Holser.
Just how expensive is it to have a baby in 2024? One woman sharing her experience on social media has sparked a much-needed conversation about financial transparency when it comes to starting (or growing) a family.
Josephine Anderson, who posted a video on her Instagram @fosterthevalley, outlined the costs of her uncomplicated vaginal birth, and TBH, it was shocking.
The financial breakdown of her experience (with Cigna for insurance):
Josephine’s video warranted thousands of comments, most of which were appalled by the costs of her experience:
“This needs to be shared in SexEd classes,” one commenter wrote.
“The US medical system is BROKEN,” another said.
“And people are still confused why more women are choosing to remain child free… we literally can’t afford it,” another user commented.
Mart Production / PEXELS
Brit + Co spoke with Wendy Colson RN, IBCLC and CEO/Founder of BOOBIE Superfoods to gauge if Josephine’s costs were typical for the care she received. Colson has significant insight into how insurance works not only from an employer’s perspective, but from personal experience as a patient with breast cancer.
“The $4,788.98 net amount she mentions is realistic given that her deductible was $3,000. If she had chosen a plan with a $1,000 deductible – which is a common ceiling for good coverage – the same scenario would have cost her around $2,789,” Colson said. “The video highlights the importance of understanding what you're getting with an insurance plan, especially when you anticipate major life events like childbirth.”
Sarah Chai / PEXELS
Colson primarily attributes unanticipated costs for medical care (like in Josephine’s case) to patients that choose their insurance plans with, well, no real plan.
“Many [people] opt for the [plan] with the lowest paycheck deductions without fully evaluating the benefits,” Colson said.
There’s often a tradeoff between paying less per paycheck and receiving your desired benefits: for example, if you elect to contribute less money towards your insurance per paycheck, you may end up paying more out of pocket for things like doctor’s office visits and prescriptions.
“Making an informed choice is key to saving money in the long run,” Colson continued. “In short, it's crucial to consider both the immediate costs (like paycheck deductions) and the potential future costs (like deductibles and copays) when choosing an insurance plan.”
Anna Shvets / PEXELS
Another major cost Josephine mentions in her video was 12 weeks of unpaid maternity leave, which cost her a total of $18,000 (in lost income).
Per the passing of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) in 1993, moms have a legal right to up to 12 weeks of unpaid maternity leave. The U.S. Department of Labor notes that the act was designed to help employees balance their work and family responsibilities, accommodate the legitimate interests of employers, and promote equal employment opportunity for men and women.
Matilda Wormwood / PEXELS
It all sounds great until you realize the time off is indeed unpaid, which doesn't really aid in the amount of money parents end up owing after all is said and done in the pregnancy and childbirth processes.
Only 13 states plus the District of Columbia offer paid maternity leave. When you compare the United States’ laws to that of other industrialized nations, they don’t exactly measure up.
Colson says Sweden’s maternity leave policy is “one of the most generous,” offering 390 days of paid parental leave (shared between parents) and 80% of wages covered for a significant portion of the leave. In Germany, mothers are entitled to 14 weeks of maternity leave plus a tax-free, income-based allowance straight from their insurance provider.
Jonathan Borba / PEXELS
Though it’s likely that US laws will never be that generous in terms of paid maternity leave, there are a few things you can do to make the blow of medical costs hurt a little less, says Colson.
“My advice is to be your own advocate,” she says. “If you’re planning to have a baby, start by understanding what your state provides in terms of paid leave to avoid surprises after delivery.”
To keep the cost of having your baby (if you’re planning to have one) transparent and free of surprises, Colson recommends:
“Having a baby is priceless,” Colson says. “By planning ahead – understanding your insurance options, healthcare costs, and available benefits – you can ensure peace of mind and focus on what truly matters: your growing family.”
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