Easy Last Minute DIY-Halloween Costumes
Year after year, I get excited about Halloween…but then all of a sudden it’s the week of and I never actually went out and got a costume. I’m either left with whatever hasn’t been picked over at the pop-up Halloween shop (which always costs a fortune and never looks quite as good as I imagined) or I’m scrambling to see if I can find something online in my size and hope it’ll ship in time. No joke, I’ve even accepted defeat and resolved that next year I’d think of something really good.
If you relate, browse through these easy DIY Halloween costumes that I put together using things I pulled from my closet. All of these costumes are super simple and even if you don’t have the exact same things, they’re put together with basic pieces, so you could easily find something similar in a pinch. Hopefully you can find an idea to put your own twist on, or maybe these costumes might spark some inspiration for you to use the things you have to create something cute!
(If you plan on spending the night at home but still want to get in on the scares—I have a whole list of scary movies, shows, and podcasts for you!)
Grease's Sandy
the details:
Off-the-Shoulder Black Crop: I used a regular short-sleeved crop and pulled the sleeves down over my shoulders. (Here’s a cute option if you need one!)
Leather Jacket: Who else has more of these than they should admit? Don’t lie, you feel a little cooler every time you put it on. This one’s from Forever21.
Leather Leggings: If you don’t already have a pair, and you should…check Express or a store like TJ Maxx. (Or here’s a pair of some great basic ones.)
Red Heels: Mine are from Guess, but any red heel or wedge will work!
Complete the look with BIG hair and a red lip.
Minnie Mouse
the details:
Minnie Mouse Ears: Luckily I went on a trip to Disneyland last year & had these tucked away. (If you want to go beyond what’s already in your closet, Target has a little set of Minnie Mouse ears, gloves, and a tail.)
Black Crop Top: This one was from Forever21, they always have tons of crops.
Red Tutu: I’m not sure where I got this but if you don’t have one, I’d check Party City, Target, or a Claire’s type of store. You could even glue on some white felt polka dots!
White Converse: Really any type of white or black sneakers would look cute. Or in true Minnie fashion, some yellow heels.
Complete the look with a red lip.
Knockout Boxer
the details:
Silk Robe: Mine was from Victoria’s Secret, but any silk robe in whatever color you want to rock will work for this one!
Sports Bra: The one I’m wearing is this Calvin Klein sports bra, which they have in tons of colors, but you can totally go with what you have already!
Shorts: These are Harlow & Graham high-waisted shorts, they’re a comfy suede-like material. (I couldn’t find these exact ones, but here are some comfy pink ones that have a similar look to them)
Pink Converse Shoes: Again, any type of sneaker would go well with this costume.
Complete the look with some boxing gloves or hand wraps if you have them.
Basic Cat
the details:
Cat Ears: This is pretty much a go-to when it comes to easy costumes you can throw together last minute, as long as you have a pair of cat ears, and if not, run out to pretty much any store that sells Halloween related things (mine came from randomly browsing the Halloween aisle at a Walgreens).
Black Crop: I could’ve used any of the black tops I wore in the other costumes, ahh the versatility of a simple black crop top. For this costume I chose a sleeveless one that I had, another pick-up from Forever21. I’m telling ya, if you have the patience to sift through their racks, they pretty much have everything.
Leather Leggings: See my suggestions from the Sandy costume, no problem with repurposing!
Thigh High Black Boots: I’m wearing these suede Steve Madden boots but you could also go for any pair of regular black high heels, or even flats if that’s more your style.
White Choker: I thought I’d break up this all black look with a dainty white lace choker, feel free to accessorize this one.
Complete the look with some cat-like makeup.
Baseball Babe
the details:
Baseball Cap: Pretty much any baseball cap, you’ve got to have at least one right? Otherwise, you can find pretty cheap plain ones at a lot of stores.
Sports Bra: I have about a billion of them, but I like these Nike bras.
Shorts: Pick a pair you feel good in, I went with the matching Nike Pro spandex shorts.
White Converse: I swear I have other shoes, but these classic white Converse just worked so well with a bunch of these costumes, so I figured I’d make it easy and comfy.
White Knee High Socks: I think this costume would be cute with a pair of these knee high socks with the striped bands across the top, but I already had these white ones, so sticking with the theme, just work with what ya got!
Complete the look with a wooden bat or maybe a mitt (if you feel up to keeping track of something all night).
Space Cadet
the details:
Silver Metallic Bodysuit: Okay so I saw a picture of one that looked just like this, but I couldn’t find a similar one anywhere when I was looking. This was the only thing I didn’t already have, so my mom and I went to JoAnn’s and bought some fabric and she made this for me! Like wow, she can actually do anything (she made all of my costumes when I was little). [Update: I found a similar bodysuit that has good reviews and looks pretty close to the one I’m wearing.]
Silver Metallic Choker: We just used a scrap leftover from the bodysuit but any silver or white choker will do.
Bright Metallic Skirt: This pretty, shiny pink skirt that I’m wearing is also courtesy of mom, but any metallic skater skirt would be cute. I’d say this skirt is pretty spot on to the one I’m wearing (and it comes in other colors too). You could go without the skirt if you’re feeling particularly confident/brave, or throw on some sheer white or sheer metallic tights with the bodysuit instead.
Silver Converse Shoes: Okay maybe I lied and really only do have Converse, but if I’m going to be out in a costume all night, why not look good and be comfy? I also have a pair of silver metallic heels that I thought looked good with this costume.
Complete the look with some space buns, sprinkle on some glitter (I stuck mine on by using Vaseline), and make an antenna headband with white sparkly pom poms at the ends of two black pipe cleaners.
Don’t give up hope yet, get your DIY on and have fun out there!
