Why I Went as Charlotte Pickles for Halloween (and How You Can Too)
Updated: 9 hours ago
This year my Halloween costume is Charlotte Pickles, the phone-glued, power-suited CEO mom from Rugrats. Below I share why she is my spirit animal, the exact pieces I bought, how to put the look together in an afternoon, and why my recreation of the viral "Cartoon CEO We All Needed" meme is perfect for your girlboss era.
Credits: @dalehanstad
Meet the Cartoon CEO We All Needed
If you grew up on Saturday morning cartoons, you know Charlotte Pickles. She is Angelica's mom, she runs the office from a brick-sized cell phone, and she never says "lunch" without adding "meeting with Jonathan." While the babies were plotting adventures, Charlotte was closing deals.
Growing up, I thought she was just a cool business mom with her stylish power outfits. As a grown woman running a radio show, a DJ calendar, and a consulting business, I get it now. Charlotte was not too much. Charlotte was busy.
Original meme: @nostalchicks
Why Charlotte Pickles Is My Halloween Costume This Year
She is the original multitasker. Phone in one hand, steering wheel in the other, fax machine on standby. That is basically me on a Radio Muévelo Sunday.
The look is pure 90s. Power suit, giant ponytail, red earrings, purple eyeshadow. Nostalgia hits harder when everyone recognizes it from across the party.
It is easy and budget friendly. Most pieces are thrift finds or things already in your closet.
She is a mood. Confident, smart, unapologetic and fully in charge. If a costume can be a manifesto, this one says "I'm the CEO."
I saw the "Charlotte Pickles: The Cartoon CEO We All Needed" collage and knew instantly I had to recreate every panel.
How to Dress Like Charlotte Pickles: an Easy Costume Shopping List
Here is everything I used to make myself into Charlotte Pickles for halloween.
Everything was purchased online or had in my closet to complete the look. This makes the approach easy with a few weeks in advance to order everything if avoiding a visit to the store. Items could also come from your own closet, borrowed from a friend, or the thrift!
Original meme: @radiomuevelo
Item | What to look for | Where I got it |
Blonde hairspray | Spray can in golden yellow, easy to wash off | |
Blue scrunchie | Royal blue, chunky, sits at the base of the ponytail | |
Red ball earrings | Round, glossy red, the bigger the better | |
Gray or charcoal blazer | Boxy 90s fit with shoulder pads | |
Red tie | Classic skinny or standard women's tie | |
White blouse | Short sleeves, V-neck if you can find it | |
Light blue tank top | For the daily "10k steps" fitness goal | |
Retro brick cell phone | Toy or prop phone with an antenna | |
Cat-eye sunglasses | Teal or green frames | |
Purple baseball cap | Plain, so you can add "CEO" | |
Purple eyeshadow + red lipstick | Bold, matte, no subtlety allowed | Use what you have at home or purchase where preferred |
Budget tip: the blazer, tie, earrings and blouse are easy to score at the thrift store or an outlet. Invest in the phone prop! Not only does it look great for the costume, but it also makes for a great souvenir and conversation piece.
The Look - How to Assemble a DIY Charlotte Pickles Costume
The whole look takes about an afternoon. No sewing required.
Original meme: @radiomuevelo
Step 1: Build the Iconic Ponytail
Put the wig on and gather all the hair into one high ponytail, pulled off to the side and slightly back. Secure it tight, then wrap the blue scrunchie around the base so it looks like a little bun. Use hairspray to make the ponytail stick out and dye temporarily a yellow color as it dries and sticks, because Charlotte's hair has never once obeyed gravity.
Step 2: Make the CEO Cap
Iron or glue the letters C-E-O across the front of the purple cap. Slightly crooked is fine. It is a cartoon.
Step 3: Do the 90s Power Makeup
Go heavy on purple eyeshadow across the whole lid and finish with a bold red lip. A little extra blush on the cheeks helps the cartoon effect in photos.
Step 4: Dress for Three Different Meetings
Boardroom Charlotte: white blouse, gray blazer, red tie.
Weekend Charlotte: light blue tank top, still on the phone.
Road Warrior Charlotte: blazer, sunglasses, CEO cap, phone to the ear.
Step 5: Accessorize Like You Have a Conference Call in Five
Clip on the red ball earrings and never put the phone down. Seriously, the brick phone is the whole character. Hold it all night and say "Jonathan!" at least once an hour.
Recreating the Charlotte Pickles CEO Meme
Original meme: @dalehanstad
To finish the look, I recreated all six panels of the @nostalchicks meme with my own photos. Here is the shot list if you want to do your own:
Panel 1: Both fists in the air, side-eye, total victory
Panel 2: Laughing into the brick phone
Panel 3: Lowering sunglasses with one finger
Panel 4: Thumb pointing up, impressed
Panel 5: One hand on the wheel, phone to the ear
Panel 6: Phone to the ear, hand on the hip, over a fax machine or desk
Photo tips: shoot against bold solid walls (purple, hot pink, gray) to match the cartoon backgrounds, then build the 2x3 grid in Canva with the title "Charlotte Pickles: The OG Cartoon Girlboss."
Be the CEO of Your Own Halloween
Charlotte Pickles is the costume for anyone who is always on the phone, always running something, and always looking good doing it. It is cheap, recognizable, and ridiculously fun to stay in character all night.
If you try this Charlotte Pickles costume, tag me @radiomuevelo so I can see your version. And catch Radio Muévelo on the first Sunday of every month, 12 to 2PM on Lumpen Radio, streaming at radiomuevelo.com.
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