Tricks, Treats & Trans-Friendly Costumes: Halloween Confidence Guide

Spooky season has well and truly arrived, which means that the whole community is frantically trying to decide on the perfect, most culturally significant, and iconic costume for 2025. If you're still searching for Halloween costume ideas, you're not alone!

For many people, Halloween is a holiday that they spend all year excitedly anticipating, but for others, it's a time that they anxiously dread.

For anyone who struggles with body confidence issues or gender dysphoria, Halloween can feel like a time when all of those insecurities are pushed into the spotlight. Those transitioning might also get that unwarranted imposter feeling that moves them not to dress how they want to.

At Gaff and Go, we are passionate about freedom and the confidence of expression. We know how important Halloween is to the queer community, and if you aren't feeling confident this year, we're here to change that.

Common Costume Challenges Faced by the Trans Community

We're realists, and we know that the trans community has challenges that it must face around Halloween, especially when it comes to costumes. As always, the fashion industry seems miles behind, but are we surprised in an industry that continues to put fake pockets on women's clothes?

Some costume challenges faced by the trans community include:

Costumes Not Designed to Fit

If you're a trans woman, you'll know the struggle of trying to find a costume that fits your body shape. Even people born in female bodies know the struggle, with the costume industry setting unrealistic body standards that barely anyone fits into.

Because transitions tend to happen in stages, there may be points where you have prominent breasts, but more straight hips or vice versa. So finding a costume that fits like a glove and makes you feel comfortable might be a struggle.

Obviously, you could use breast forms or hip pads to create the shape that these costumes cater to, but it can be understandably tiring to have to make adjustments just to feel confident constantly.

Lack of Inclusivity

Even though Halloween has been around for more than 2,000 years, it feels like every year, we're stuck deciding between the same costumes, which tend to be sexy variations of everyday jobs, all of which show off exactly what you've had for breakfast and don't leave much to the imagination.

Not every woman wants to feel so exposed at Halloween, and if you're not in a place in your transition that makes you feel comfortable, it can be easy to want to cover up more for your mental well-being. Unfortunately, a lack of inclusivity in the costume industry makes that incredibly difficult.

Pressure to Fit into Traditional Gendered Costume Roles

Every person in the world feels pressure to fit into traditional gendered costume roles, and it's very rare for people to reject these expectations, but what if these gendered costumes aren't designed to cater to your body type?

There are plenty of trans kings out there who feel the pressure to wear incredibly masculine costumes at Halloween to protect their identities, but costumes for men are usually straight cut without much room for hips or even breasts.

Without the use of chest binders, a lot of trans men may struggle to comfortably wear costumes targeted towards men, with other costumes causing dysphoria around their masculinity. It can feel like a losing battle trying to find something that works.

Still, many trans men push themselves into wearing these costumes, no matter the discomfort they cause.

Gender Affirming Costume Ideas

With Halloween just around the corner, you're likely considering a costume that looks good and affirms your gender. Your only worry for Halloween should be deciding where to celebrate, not what you're wearing.

Here are some gender-affirming Halloween costume ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

Classic Looks

You can't beat a classic Halloween look, we're talking witches, wizards and devils (we have a great red bodysuit that would be perfect for that). Now, following classic looks doesn't mean that you can't put your own spin on it; they're instead supposed to be a bit of inspiration.

Who says you have to be inspired by a classic witch when you have decades of witchy inspiration to pick from? We're talking The Craft, Sabrina, and Witches of Eastwick. The potential is endless. Get creative and put your own spin on it.

Pop Culture Icons

If there's something that the queer community knows better than anyone, it's pop culture icons. With so many iconic, culture-creating individuals to be inspired by, you can really get creative. You don't just have to be inspired by big names; you can seek inspiration from iconic TV moments or funny internet trends.

We all want to look good, but who says you can't look good dressed as Ant and Dec or other funny personalities? Remember, when you put too much pressure on yourself to look sexy, you take away a lot of the fun, so why not just get creative with it?

Sexy Costumes

If sexy is what you're aiming for this Halloween, scratch what we just said. If you've been on a journey to achieve your dream body or you feel confident with where you are in your transition, why wouldn't you want to show it off?

Thanks to tucking lingerie, it's easier than ever to strip down into sexy Halloween costumes without worrying about anything popping out of place or becoming untucked. This means that you can have full autonomy of what you wear and feel fierce without worry.

Not all trans people wish to conceal their bodies, and with an increasing variety of alluring, layerable lingerie and one-piece options, they can feel both confident and attractive. Whether you're considering a police officer costume, a sexy nurse costume, or even a beer maid costume, there are ways to make these work for your body and comfort level.

Building Confidence Under the Costume

If you are pre-surgery and would like to wear more figure-hugging, out-there costumes but don't have the confidence to do it, there's ways that you can change that.

Discovering your confidence while dressing up is a heartfelt and empowering journey. Having the secret recipe to ensure your outer look reflects how you want to feel inside can be a powerful boost on your path to authentic self-love and pride.

Some ways that you can boost your confidence under the costume include:

Creating the Foundations

One of the main reasons why so many trans women feel uncomfortable dressing up is that they don't have their usual security blanket to cover up some of the parts of their bodies that they're not comfortable with.

This is especially true for pre-op trans women, as a lot of Halloween costumes tend to be made with cheap materials, not ideal for concealing parts of the body that make you feel uncomfortable.

Tucking can help build a good foundation by creating a smoother silhouette, which allows you to feel more confident in your outfit. When you tuck in your clothing, it prevents bunching and bulkiness, resulting in a cleaner appearance. Adding tucking tape to your foundation can make you feel more secure and comfortable in your outfit.

This technique also helps you understand how clothing fits your body better, encouraging more thoughtful wardrobe choices that celebrate your unique style. Over time, mastering tucking can be a stepping stone towards developing a vibrant, expressive, and confident look that truly reflects who you are.

Layering to Make a Stunning Look

If you're not feeling confident and you'd rather layer, who says you can't? Looking good isn't about wearing as little as possible; it's about your attitude and how you work it.

When it comes to dressing stylishly and comfortably, layering is key. Start with lightweight, breathable fabrics that keep you cool and allow for easy adjustments throughout the day. Don't forget to carefully accessorise; adding scarves, jewellery, or spooky accessories can elevate your look and reflect your style.

Remember, if you're tucking or wearing a chest binder, make sure that you wear something light or easily removable so you don't overheat.

Confidence Comes From How You Feel

Remember that above all, your Halloween costumes should leave you feeling confident, as confidence is key to truly enjoying your experience. When you feel good about how you look, it radiates outward and boosts your overall happiness. If a costume makes you feel uncomfortable or insecure, it's not worth it, because your comfort and self-assurance are what truly matter.

Sometimes, even a slight dash of makeup, such as highlighter, can significantly transform your look, helping you feel more empowered and aligned with your costume. Small changes like these can enhance your confidence, allowing you to fully embrace your Halloween spirit.

Remember, if a costume doesn't make you feel good, move on to the next one.

Community and Expression

We all know that Halloween is for the goths, the gays, and the girls. It is all about expression and coming together to embrace creativity. For some people who feel as though they're wearing a costume in their daily lives, Halloween can feel like the one time of year when they can express who they really are without fear of judgment.

Remember, Halloween is about celebrating our differences and having fun. So if you're feeling unsure or uncomfortable about what you're wearing, you have a supportive community with your back, so don't be afraid to express yourself.

Embrace Who You Are This Halloween With Gaff and Go

Through this guide, we hope to have given you the confidence to live in the moment and enjoy Halloween without worrying about how you look or how you're perceived.

We get that it's easier said than done, which is why tucking gaffs, tape and binders can make such a difference to how you feel in your costume.

If you're trying to put together a costume and you're not sure where to start, or you'd like some advice about tucking to make a solid base for your costume, get in touch with us today.