Halloween is almost here, and that heart-stopping realization that you still don’t have an outfit can be stressful. Don’t worry — assembling a one-of-a-kind last-minute Halloween look is simpler — and less expensive — than you might expect.
Before you default to dressing all in black and calling it a cat for the third year in a row, browse these quick DIY Halloween costumes that won’t take much time or cash. From couples to group ensembles, there are plenty of last-minute costume concepts waiting to be discovered.
Should You Buy a Last-Minute Halloween Costume?
Don’t frantically search “Halloween stores near me” on Oct. 30 and dive into discount racks. Instead, raid your closet or swing by a thrift shop to piece together a spooky getup just in time for the festivities.
What’s the payoff for skipping the costume shop and whipping together a simple DIY outfit? The National Retail Federation reports that 72% of U.S. consumers plan to celebrate Halloween this year, with an average spend of roughly $108 per person — a collective frightful $12.2 billion on costumes for kids, adults and pets. Funnel that cash into your holiday savings and cobble together a costume from what you already own, or make something playful with a glue gun and a bit of imagination.
50 Fast Halloween Costumes
Procrastinators might be on to something: these easy Halloween looks are budget-friendly. Whether you need something for a pet, a pair, or a whole family, many costume ingredients are probably already at home.
Costumes You Can Make From Your Closet
If you want a totally free costume (we’re fans of free!), start with your wardrobe. You likely already have costume pieces stashed away in the back of your closet. If you’re missing one or two items, check the thrift store.
There’s probably a reason you hung on to that loud Hawaiian shirt from a long-ago vacation. Here are mostly free, homemade costume ideas you can assemble in a flash.
- Tourist
- Farmer or Scarecrow
- Mime
- Wednesday Addams
- Rosie the Riveter
- Fortune Teller
- Holly Golightly
- Taylor Swift
- Jane Goodall
- Harley Quinn
- Pin-up Girl
- Mary Poppins
- Flower Child
- Sailor
- Bob Ross
- Witch
1. Tourist
This might be the simplest costume here. Who doesn’t have shorts, a brightly colored shirt and some tacky socks to pair with sandals?
Add a straw hat or visor, sunglasses and grab a camera or map and you’re set. Smearing a little sunscreen on your nose will sell the look (though it may be a bit messy).
2. Farmer or Scarecrow
If you own overalls, you can cobble together a farmer costume. Look for gingham shirts, bandanas, boots and a straw hat to finish the outfit. To reuse it next year, make it a scarecrow by stuffing straw out of the cuffs, collar and pockets.
3. Mime
You can’t keep quiet about how easy this one is. For a mime look, wear black pants or overalls, a black-and-white striped top, a beret and some face paint. A red scarf and gloves are a nice touch, but the performance — learning the gestures — is what makes the costume pop.
4. Wednesday Addams
The Addams family makes for a fun group theme, but Wednesday’s outfit is particularly simple: a black dress, black shoes and a white collared shirt. Want her signature braids? This Wednesday hair tutorial can help.
5. Rosie the Riveter
If there’s a DIY costume almost anyone can pull off, it’s Rosie the Riveter. The essentials are a red bandana and a blue button-down. The trickiest part is the vintage hair — see a helpful tutorial here.
6. Fortune Teller
For this costume, you’ll want flowing garments, a scarf or headband and stacks of jewelry (there’s never too much). If you’re unsure the outfit reads as convincing, carry a prop like a magic eight ball or a clear glass orb if you happen to have one.
7. Holly Golightly
Have a little black dress? You’re halfway to recreating Audrey Hepburn’s classic Breakfast at Tiffany’s look. Pair with pearls, opera gloves, big black sunglasses and an updo. For a cigarette holder prop, repurpose a long-handled paintbrush.
8. Taylor Swift
With so many eras to reference, a Taylor Swift outfit is easy to assemble. Check this Good Housekeeping piece for inspiration.
9. Jane Goodall
Honor the renowned conservationist with a khaki shirt, shorts and boots. Add a hat, binoculars and a stuffed primate to complete the look.
10. Harley Quinn
Harley Quinn is a perennial favorite, but you don’t need to pay big money for a replica costume. Raid your closet for punk accessories and a baseball tee for a quick Suicide Squad-inspired outfit.
11. Pinup Girl
High-waisted shorts, a tied button-down, wedges, red lipstick and a bandana = pinup perfection. Follow a YouTube tutorial for vintage curls — it’s easier than it looks — and you’ll be ready to charm.
12. Mary Poppins
A Mary Poppins ensemble can be interpreted in many ways. Essentials are a long black coat, an umbrella, a red scarf or bow and a hat you can decorate with daisies.
13. Flower Child
Psychedelic tie-dye and bell-bottoms make a lovely flower child. Add a peace sign necklace, flowers in your hair and a suede fringe vest to lean into the vibe.
14. Sailor
With white pants and a striped top you can whip up a sailor outfit. The hat is the trickiest bit, but this paper-hat tutorial makes it simple.
15. Bob Ross
If you’ve got the hair and a beard, a Bob Ross costume is straightforward: blue button-down, jeans and a cardboard palette plus a paintbrush. Extra points if a friend joins as a happy little tree.
16. Witch
This is more “witch-adjacent” than movie-witch. Who casually owns a pointy hat anyway?
No matter: Layer up in black, add dramatic makeup, tousle your hair and wear some statement dark jewelry. Finish with a broom and you’ll be convincing (or intimidating) enough.
Halloween Costumes for Crafty Folks
Don’t worry — these budget-friendly costumes don’t require advanced sewing skills. With a glue gun and some dollar-store supplies, you can craft a standout costume for the party.
- Little Mermaid
- Cheese
- Pac-Man
- Cereal killer
- Bubble bath
- Juice box
- Robot
- Ice cream cone
- Harry Potter
- Gumball machine
- Smarty pants
17. Little Mermaid
Inspired by the recent live-action film, many will draw from Halle Bailey’s Little Mermaid. You can DIY this look with a bit of craftiness and a solid tutorial like this one.
18. Cheese
If yellow suits you, go full cheese. A cheese costume needs a yellow tee or dress, cardboard or styrofoam and some paint to mimic holes.
19. Pac-Man
Wear black and tack on paper cutouts of Pac-Man characters to become a walking arcade game. For a sturdier version, use fabric cutouts and fabric glue.
20. Cereal Killer
For a punny costume, collect mini cereal boxes from the grocery aisle and splatter faux blood on your shirt. Add plastic spoons, knives and other cheeky props for a classic cereal killer vibe.
21. Bubble Bath
Dress in flesh-toned or white clothing and cluster balloons as bubbles. Add a rubber duck or two and carry a loofah to sell the bubble bath theme.
22. Juice Box
Make a cardboard juice box or wear a solid color outfit and attach a paper straw wrapped in plastic for an easy juice box costume.
23. Robot
Cardboard boxes and duct tape make a dependable retro robot costume. It’s classic, customizable and budget-friendly.
24. Ice Cream Cone
Wear beige on the bottom and white on top, add paper sprinkles and carry a red balloon as the cherry on this ice cream cone.
25. Harry Potter
A Harry Potter-inspired outfit is mostly homemade: a simple black robe or cape, paper-cut glasses and a wand from a chopstick. Pair with a plaid skirt to be Hermione instead.
26. Gumball Machine
Hot-glue pompoms onto a red skirt or pants to create a gumball machine. There are playful variations like boba tea or frosted animal cookies too.
27. Smarty Pants
Glue Smarties candies onto a pair of pants and accessorize with suspenders, big glasses and nerdy confidence for this punny costume.
Last-Minute Couple Costume Ideas
If you need matching looks for two, there are loads of simple couple’s costumes. With a little creativity, these ideas can also translate to family or friend duos.
- Barbie and Ken
- Sandy and Danny from “Grease”
- Rock ‘n’ roll
- Operation
- Peanut butter and jelly
- “Men in Black”
- Night and day
- Beer pong
- “Wayne’s World”
- Dancing emojis
28. Barbie and Ken
A bright leotard or one-piece and leggings make a convincing Barbie. Add a wide belt or roller skates and you’re ready to party. Make it a duo by having Ken wear neon leopard print, shorts and loafers — don’t skip the neckerchief.
29. Sandy and Danny from “Grease”
If you’re comfortable with last-minute planning, Sandy and Danny are a quick duo: black leather or spandex, black jackets, red heels and slicked-back hair. It’s a versatile pair that works for many couples.
30. Rock ‘n’ Roll
A couple’s rock ‘n’ roll costume can be playful: one person as a mixtape and the other as a guitar. This concept also adapts well to siblings.
31. Operation
If someone has scrubs, you can become the classic board game by attaching pieces to neutral clothing and letting your partner carry pliers. A clown nose seals the gag.
32. PB & Jelly
Dress as matching slices of bread with peanut butter and jelly on top. Warning: you might stick together for the evening.
33. Men in Black
A black suit and shades are all you need for a Men (or Women) in Black costume. Add a faux badge and black tie and you’ll be instantly recognizable.
34. Night & Day
Opposites attract in this couple’s idea. Dig out metallic club wear for one and contrasting pieces for the other to represent night and day. Crafty headbands finish the look.
35. Beer Pong
A solo cup, ping pong ball and a sense of humor will turn you into a walking beer pong table. Expect some playful targeting from partygoers.
36. Wayne’s World
If your closet is heavy on plaid, you can be the iconic duo from Wayne’s World. It’s ideal for anyone with lots of flannel and a love for garage-band vibes.
37. Dancing Emojis
Recreate those shoulder-to-shoulder dancing emojis with black clothing and a friend willing to stand beside you for a coordinated emoji-inspired costume.
Group Costume Concepts
Putting together a big group for Halloween? There are plenty of crowd-friendly costume themes. You can always adapt elements of these ideas if your group is smaller.
- Stranger Things
- Minions
- Game show contestants
- Ted Lasso cast
- Lost Boys
- Super Mario characters
- Box of crayons
- Rock, paper, scissors
- Zombies
- Inside Out
- The Breakfast Club
- M&Ms
38. Stranger Things
If your wardrobe leans ’80s, you and friends can recreate looks from Stranger Things. A denim vest or leather jacket could stand in for an Eddie Munson outfit — print the Hellfire Club logo and attach it to a tee.
39. Minions
Overalls plus any yellow top, black shoes, gloves and round goggles make a convincing minion. Since minions are rarely solitary, this theme shines as a group costume.
40. Game Show Contestants
Recreate contestants from shows like “The Price Is Right” by making name tags and coordinating outfits. You can also stage a team from “Family Feud.”
41. Ted Lasso Cast
Ted Lasso has been a go-to in recent seasons. Pull out a tracksuit, whistle and visor for Ted and recruit friends to dress as Keely, Rebecca, Jamie and other Richmond characters.
42. Lost Boys
If you want pajamas for Halloween, the Lost Boys are ideal. Cozy onesies or black outfits painted with glow-in-the-dark skeletons also work well.
43. Arthur and Friends
Animal ears and solid-colored sweaters let a group channel the PBS cartoon Arthur. It’s mostly jeans, Converse and simple sweaters — DW can be a pink dress.
44. Box of Crayons
Select solid-color outfits and matching party hats for a classic crayon-box group. Use fabric markers or paper details to add the finishing touches.
45. Rock, Paper, Scissors
For a trio, this minimalist idea requires white tees, black leggings and a little teamwork — a low-effort, high-clarity concept.
46. Zombies
This one doesn’t require a lot of brains to figure out.
Ragged, dirty clothing — ripped jeans, an old shirt or a plaid button-up — plus messy hair and makeup will do the trick. Use dark eyeshadow, smudge under the cheekbones, add twigs and leaves to your hair and you’re set. Zombies travel in packs, so bring friends.
47. Inside Out
The characters from Inside Out are colorful and easy to reproduce. Many pieces can be pulled from closets and the rest made from paper or simple costume dye and makeup.
48. The Breakfast Club
If you have five people and someone owns a letterman jacket, dressing as The Breakfast Club is practically mandatory. Don’t leave out the library dance for social-media authenticity.
49. M&Ms
For a group of six, grab T-shirts in different colors and iron-on letters to spell out the “m” for an easy M&Ms costume. It’s especially kid-friendly because it’s easy to spot who’s missing during trick-or-treat rounds.
Simple Dog Costumes
One perk of holidays is dressing up pets. Give your pup some Halloween flair with a quick DIY pet outfit.
50. The Cone of Shame, Reimagined
Turn the recovery cone into a creative pet costume: fries, flowers, a Slurpee, a cereal bowl or even the Iron Throne are all fair game. For a playful “mutt martini,” attach foam balls and red paper to a cone for an easy cocktail prop. Cheers to pet costumes!
Assuming you own at least a pair of jeans and some dark makeup, you’ve officially solved your last-minute costume crisis. Get out there and haunt the office party or neighborhood bash — you earned those treats this year.
Kaz Weida is a senior writer at Savinly. SMS manager Grace Schweizer contributed.
