Martha Stewart Is the Reigning Queen of Halloween—See This Year's Iconic Costume and More From Years Past

Nobody loves dressing up for Halloween as much as the one and only Martha Stewart. Whether it is dreaming up what to be or devising the most clever execution of it, she is always down for going undercover. And like the very best of undertakings, the creative preparation is as fun for her as the night itself.

"From the time I was a little girl, I have loved dressing up for Halloween," Martha said in the October 2018 issue of Martha Stewart Living. "Every year, I look forward to devising my costume—some years the look is elaborate and the ensemble itself is extraordinarily complex, like when I was Fairy GrandMartha or the Spellbinding Sorceress. For those getups, I worked with the editors, makeup artists, costume designers, and seamstresses to execute some pretty ambitious designs."

This year, she takes her rightful place as our royal monarch of the day. We also take a look back at her best guises. Plus, we're sharing all the best tips and tricks to have the most Martha-esque Halloween, from creative costume ideas for the whole family and festive décor to spooky sips and snacks for a haunting Halloween soirée. All hail the Queen!

2024: Queen of Halloween

A costume fit for royalty, Martha graced the 2024 cover of Martha Stewart Halloween dressed as the role we already lovingly know her as—the Queen of Halloween. Largely inspired by coronation photos of Queen Elizabeth I, Martha donned a luxe cape topped with a faux fur capelet. Her scepter was once an old curtain rod and the orb is a plastic ornament that was spray-painted gold and adorned with gems (and filled with candy, of course). The crown was purchased from Amazon and elevated to queen status with faux diamond and pearl beads. Her gold earrings and necklace designed by Sabyasachi are the real deal.

2017: Pop-Tastic

As a self-proclaimed fan of the artist, Martha reimagined herself as one of Roy Lichtenstein's iconic comic book women in 2017. She shared a behind-the-scenes look at the costume in her column for that October's issue: "I wore an amazing platinum-blond wig and outlined a plain white shirt with black stripes. Red half-gloves, a bright-blue scarf, and exaggerated makeup added the more cartoonish touches."

2014: Cover Ghoul

For one of Martha's spookiest looks, she dressed as a ghoul in 2014. She emerged in a satin cloak, blue contacts, and a streak of dye through her stark white wig. A pop of red eyeshadow added contrast to the icy look.

2013: Fairy GrandMartha

Floating into view on a cloud of pink tulle, Fairy GrandMartha holds her glittery wand, ready to cast an enchanting spell. This dramatic ensemble is effortless to construct. The tulle is stitched only at the neck; a bodysuit and leggings provide coverage underneath the gossamer layers. Senior stylist Marco Maranghello from John Barrett pinned Martha's hair into a loose updo and then added extensions and lots of sparkling accents. For a fantastical look like this, he says, "The more hair gems, the better."

2011: Motha

With a flutter of silk-chiffon wings, a dazzling apparition emerges from the shadows to seek her place in the spotlight. Inspired by a vintage illustration and pieces from Alexander McQueen collections, she paired a cape and faux-fur collar. Thanks to her platinum-blonde bob wig, flirty butterfly lashes, and enigmatic smile, this chic lepidopteran is naturally luminous.

2010: Spellbinding Sorceress

One look at Martha's captivating costume dispels any notion that practicing sorcery means looking like a wicked witch. Bedecked in crystals and stars for the cover of The Best of Martha Stewart: Halloween Handbook, Martha radiates spectral sophistication as a spellbinding sorceress. Her ruched gold stole requires some sewing but is made of easy-to-find materials; her jewelry is made from Christmas ornaments and crafts-store supplies. Martha wears her own gown; scour vintage or thrift stores for something similarly sparkly.

2009: Ghostly Equestrienne

Martha was instantly transformed into a haunted horsewoman for the cover of the 2009 Halloween issue. This spirited costume is inspired by the fashion of Edwardian England. Martha's grand cape swells behind her as she rides through a twilight gloaming. Her pale eyes stare from beneath red-rimmed lids. Although the cape looks elaborate, it's constructed with just a few folds and seams in a long piece of taffeta. A top hat veiled with black netting is trimmed with gray ribbon and an ostrich feather. Rutger, Martha's midnight steed, wears an ornately plaited mane.

2007: Glampire

Dramatic black makeup went perfectly with Martha's glampire getup. Her striking cape is made from black silk woven with metallic threads. Fasten it to a black dress with safety pins, and slip on long satin gloves. A black wig played up her pale white face makeup, dark eyes, and—fittingly—blood-red lips.

2007: Goddess

Draped in a diaphanous wrap of gauzy silk-organza strips and wearing golden leaves in her hair, Martha transformed into an autumnal goddess. For the wrap, you can achieve a similar look with a plain, sheer shawl pinned with the brooch. Carry a gold-leafed or painted pomegranate, apple, or some leaves to complete the character.

2000: Black Widow

Martha shows Halloween makeup at its most glamorous and spine-tingling with this black widow costume. Her look, achieved with makeup techniques and prosthetic features, was topped off with a swarm of spiders and a set of menacing black nails.