Angel Reese doesn't just play basketball. She builds moments. If you were anywhere near social media during the 2024 spooky season, you saw it. The "Bayou Barbie" basically broke the internet when she ditched the jersey for a vine-covered look that people are still talking about in 2026.
Honestly, it wasn't just a costume. It was a whole vibe.
The WNBA star showed up as Poison Ivy, and when I say she committed, I mean she really committed. We're talking full body paint. Vibrant red hair. A custom fit that made her look like she walked straight out of a DC comic book and onto the streets of Chicago. Most people just throw on a wig and call it a day, but Reese is different. She understands that her brand is built on the intersection of elite athleticism and high-fashion glamour.
The Poison Ivy Look That Reset the Bar
So, what actually went into the angel reese halloween costume that year?
For starters, the transformation was intense. She swapped her signature blonde look for a deep, fiery red wig. But the kicker was the skin. Reese had her entire body painted in a shimmering shade of leaf-green. It wasn't just a flat color either; it had depth and contouring that highlighted her 6-foot-3 frame.
She shared the look on Instagram with the caption, "Don’t touch me I’M POISON! 🍃🌹," and the comments section basically exploded.
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Why the Usher Concert Was the Perfect Stage
She didn't just sit at home in the green paint. Reese took the look out on the town in Chicago, specifically hitting up an Usher concert. Imagine being in the front row and seeing a literal superhero (or supervillain, technically) walking past you.
She wasn't alone in the spotlight, either. Reese was spotted hanging out with Megan Thee Stallion and Usher himself. It was one of those "cultural crossover" moments that defines who Angel Reese is off the court. She’s not just a forward for the Chicago Sky; she’s a fixture in the entertainment world.
The costume worked because it leaned into her "villain" persona—a label the media often tried to force on her during her college days at LSU. By embracing Poison Ivy, a character who is powerful, misunderstood, and undeniably dangerous, Reese took control of the narrative.
Moving From Halloween to the Met Gala
You've probably noticed that Reese's fashion sense has evolved rapidly since that 2024 Halloween night. By the time the 2025 Met Gala rolled around, she wasn't just wearing costumes; she was wearing couture.
As a member of the 2025 Met Gala Host Committee, she showed up in a stunning black-and-white Thom Browne piece. It was a massive jump from body paint to high-end tailoring, but the "Poison Ivy" energy was still there. It’s that same "look at me" confidence.
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Breaking Down the Style Evolution
- 2023: The "Bayou Barbie" crown and the "You Can't See Me" gesture.
- 2024: The Poison Ivy transformation that proved she could dominate pop culture.
- 2025: Walking the Victoria's Secret runway as the first pro athlete to do so.
People often ask why an athlete cares so much about a Halloween outfit. But for Reese, visibility is currency. That Poison Ivy look wasn't just for fun—it was a marketing masterclass. It kept her name trending during the offseason when WNBA news usually dies down.
The Real Impact of the Angel Reese Halloween Costume
What most people get wrong is thinking this is just about vanity. It's actually about business. In 2025, Reese pulled in nearly $10 million from endorsements. Brands like Reebok, Coach, and Amazon aren't just signing a basketball player; they're signing a lifestyle icon.
The angel reese halloween costume served as a bridge. It showed fans that she could be the "it girl" in any room, whether it’s a locker room or a star-studded party in Chicago.
There was also a cool moment where she reposted fans dressing up as her for Halloween. One viral TikTok showed two friends dressing up as "College Angel" and "College Caitlin Clark," complete with the championship ring gesture. Reese loved it. It showed that she has reached that level of fame where she is the costume.
How to Channel Your Inner Bayou Barbie
If you're looking to recreate a look inspired by Angel Reese, you can't go halfway.
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- Embrace the Height: Reese uses her height as an asset in fashion, often wearing floor-length gowns or high-waisted cuts.
- The Hair is Everything: Whether it’s the Poison Ivy red or her 2025 blonde era, she uses hair to signal a new chapter.
- Confidence over Everything: The reason the green body paint worked wasn't the paint itself—it was the fact that she carried herself like she owned the building.
Reese has basically rewritten the rules for how WNBA players interact with the fashion world. She’s proven that you don't have to "stick to sports." You can be a rebounding machine on Tuesday and a high-fashion villain on Thursday.
As we look toward the 2026 season and beyond, the expectation for her off-court "fits" is sky-high. She’s turned the WNBA tunnel into a runway, and Halloween into a yearly brand activation.
Next Steps for Fans and Fashionistas:
To stay ahead of the curve on the next angel reese halloween costume or her upcoming tunnel looks, you should follow her "Unrivaled" league appearances in Miami. The smaller 3x3 format allows for even more personal style expression. Additionally, keep an eye on her Reebok "Angel Reese 1" drops, as she often coordinates her streetwear looks with upcoming colorways. If you're planning a costume, start looking at high-pigment body paints now—because if Angel taught us anything, it's that "good enough" isn't an option when the cameras are on.