The Lowdown
Meme costumes are the easiest win at a party because everyone gets the joke in a second. Jimothy and Punch are cute enough to be this year’s breakout looks.
Key Takeaways
- USA Today flagged costumes inspired by Jimothy the raccoon, AI Fruit Love Island and Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl grass performers (USA Today).
- Punch the Monkey, the baby monkey seen snuggling a plush orangutan, was suggested as an easy costume (USA Today).
- TikTok searches for “ladybug costume” and “Beanie Babies costume” rose in September (USA Today).
The Story
Jimothy, a raccoon with short spine syndrome, went viral over the summer. Cosplayer Kendall Bailey, who dressed as Jimothy at DragonCon, advised fans to keep costumes practical: “Be comfortable, don’t overheat” (USA Today).
For Punch the Monkey, Bailey suggested buying the plush toy from IKEA and adding monkey ears and a tail, or making it a couples costume with one person as the orangutan (USA Today).
USA Today also noted the year’s “2026 is the new 2016” trend and a revival of Y2K styles, with more people expected to thrift or make their own costumes (USA Today).
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