With Halloween around the corner, the last minute scramble for creative group costumes inevitably occurs. Each fall, ideas flood the internet for rhyme-without-reason, a costume concept that includes two outfits that rhyme but aren’t related in any other way. Some pairs are creative and eye-catching, while others are a bit…questionable. After reviewing a variety of costumes, The Review Online ranks the best “Rhyme Without Reason” pairs.
- Dairy and Fairy
Flying into last place with a trail of pixie dust, this fairy tale creature meets the cause of many upset stomachs: dairy. One person can wear sparkly wings and a pretty flower tiara, while the other dresses up in a cow suit. While this idea is creative, cows are a bit of a stretch for a “dairy” costume, so it falls more on the questionable side of our rankings.
- Wild West and Arrest
Settling in at ninth place, western attire pairs with aspects of police officer gear. Deck out in bell-bottom jeans, cowboy boots and a rustic cowboy hat, or gear up in handcuffs and a polished badge. Unfortunately, the rhyme might be a bit of a stretch, so while the costumes would look great side-by-side, this duo places lower on our list.
- Napper and Rapper
ZZZZ… is just how we describe this eighth place costume: napper and rapper. Dress up in pajama pants and a sleeping mask or display a boombox and a chunky gold chain. While definitely creative and simple, this costume is a bit boring. When you wake up on Halloween morning, you might as well just stay in your pajamas.
- Army and Barbie
Fighting against the other competitors, army and Barbie have successfully marked their place in seventh. This go-to costume is very popular as it is extremely simple to put together. Deck out in camo pants and eye black or wear all pink and rock a bright smile the whole night. Overall, this classic costume can make a great idea, but it isn’t the most original, making an appearance almost every year.
- Snow White and Twilight
Placed in sixth, the adored princess and her seven dwarves pair up with vampires, creating a contrasting and thrilling costume. The contradiction between them creates an eye-appealing duo and draws a lot of attention, so this is perfect if you want to stand out this Oct. 31. Dress up in a shimmery dress with a red bow or drench yourself in fake blood and wear a black gown. This contrasting combination is definitely more original, but a bit more vague as well.
- Mermaid and First Aid
Fifth on our list is the underwater cross of human and fish…paired with Band-Aids and gauze. A bright red box or a mermaid tail work great when preparing for this costume. While still in the top five, this idea is slightly harder to recreate, as both costumes are not easy to put together. For the mermaid, try swapping out the classic tail for a shimmery pair of pants or a skirt to make walking easier!
- FBI and Butterfly
In fourth place, this unconventional duo pairs a mysterious spy with a colorful creature. Either dress up in all-black with sunglasses or in bright colors and wings to complete this costume. This near-perfect pair is a great addition to any rhyme-without-reason costume party, but it might not be the most comfortable.
- Referee and Bumblebee
Stripes meet stripes in our third place costume: referee and bumblebee. One holds a whistle and red card, while the other creates the delicious product we know as honey. Don’t start an argument with either! While this idea is a great rhyme and wins points for creativity, it requires a bit more effort to execute.
- Emo and Nemo
A close runner-up, the beloved Pixar fish contrasts with your typical goth teenager to create a near-perfect duo. This rhyme is straightforward and easy to understand, but it can be adapted into whatever you and a friend want it to be. Accessorize with black eyeshadow or an extra-small fin to complete this look.
- Subway Surfer and Construction Worker
At the top of our list, a classic mobile game character meets Bob the Builder. From the spray-painting, train-hopping skateboard rider of many childhoods to the hard-hat-wearing, hammer-wielding construction worker, this pair is perfect for a Halloween costume with a friend. This costume idea wins first place for its creativity and flexibility, so it’s perfect for any occasion!
