You Can Throw Together These Halloween Costumes in Minutes (2024)

You Can Throw Together These Halloween Costumes in Minutes (1)

Our editors handpick the products that we feature. We may earn commission from the links on this page.

One minute you're on a pool float, and the next you're jamming to Halloween tunes, because the spookiest holiday of the year is just around the corner.

As you gear up for the big day, chances are you'll start to brainstorm outfit ideas. You may already have that costume planned out with your BFF or have the ultimate couples costume decided on, but more likely, you've put off planning to the very last minute. And you know how that goes: There's almost always that one theme party that creeps up on you.

So what do you do when you need an easy, last-minute Halloween costume, but don't want to spend all night fashioning one? There's a place to turn for ideas: Your closet. That's right—in many cases, you don't have to spend a single dollar to come up with a creative, homemade costume. Simply pull together your look by putting your normal clothes to work and combining a few things around the house, whether you're making something for yourself, your kid, or your teen. (Think: dust off that fancy black dress you never get to wear, pair it with some bewitching makeup and you'll be a sorceress in seconds). And, if you really need to, you can buy a few cheap baubles at your local craft or dollar store to complete those finishing touches. The best part about these (very) last-minute Halloween costume ideas? No one will ever know you procrastinated.

1

Jack-o-Lantern

You Can Throw Together These Halloween Costumes in Minutes (2)

It doesn't get much easier than a jack-o-lantern—all you need is an orange dress, a matching beret, and some felt.

Get the tutorial.

Shop it:

Orange dress Beret Felt

2

Arthur

You Can Throw Together These Halloween Costumes in Minutes (3)

Transform yourself into the classic cartoon aardvark in a mustard-color sweater, a pair of jeans, and glasses.

Shop it:

Sweater Glasses

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

3

Beanie Baby Costume

You Can Throw Together These Halloween Costumes in Minutes (4)

A Beanie Baby is an easy costume for a baby (thanks to bunting!), but it's also an easy and super cute pet costume. All you have to do is fashion the tag with paint and cardboard.

Shop it:

Bunting Paint

4

Holly Golightly

You Can Throw Together These Halloween Costumes in Minutes (5)

Channeling Holly Golightly is as easy as shopping your closet for your favorite little black dress, a beautiful necklace, black pumps, and a pair of sunnies. Two-day shipping will get you a tiara and a pair of black gloves.

Get the tutorial.

Shop it:

Gloves Tiara

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

6

Lobster

You Can Throw Together These Halloween Costumes in Minutes (7)

A lobster makes for a surprisingly chic costume. It's easy, too: Pin a bit of tulle to the bottom of a sleek red dress, then fashion a red oven mitt into a claw with a bit of paint and some tiny matching red pom-poms.

Shop it:

Red tulle

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

7

Social Butterfly

You Can Throw Together These Halloween Costumes in Minutes (8)

You're sure to rack up the likes for this creative last-minute costume. Simply slip on your normal clothes and add some wings. Then, print some of your favorite social media icons and pin them onto your outfit.

Shop it:

Fairy wings

8

Vampire Costume

You Can Throw Together These Halloween Costumes in Minutes (9)

To transform yourself into a blood-thirsty vampire, pull out your nap dress, put on a full face of makeup, and pop in some fangs.

Shop it:

Fangs

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

9

Polly Pocket Costume

You Can Throw Together These Halloween Costumes in Minutes (10)

Channel one of your favorite '90s toys with this throwback costume. All you need is a pink dress, coordinating leggings, and some cardboard and ribbon.

Shop it:

Dress Leggings

10

Fall Costume

You Can Throw Together These Halloween Costumes in Minutes (11)

Can't resist all things pumpkin spice? Solidify your love for the fall season by dressing as it. How? Just wear your normal clothes—be sure to pick rich, autumn hues—then add a headband studded with changing leaves.

Shop it:

Faux leaves Headband

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

11

Legends of the Hidden Temple

If you're going with a partner, your BFF, or a group, go as game show contestants. For this Legends of the Hidden Temple getup, you'll need the T-shirt (you can stencil on the design if you don't have time to get one shipped), a pair of khaki shorts, pads, and a helmet.

Shop it:

Shirt Knee pads

12

Velma From Scooby Doo

You Can Throw Together These Halloween Costumes in Minutes (13)

Shop your closet for a cozy sweater and a flowy skirt. Add striped knee socks and your canine companion for maximum effect.

Shop it:

Orange sweater Knee socks

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

13

Sandy from Grease

You Can Throw Together These Halloween Costumes in Minutes (14)

If you can't resist a little "Grease Lightening," this Sandy costume is classic—and will put a little sass in your step.

Get the tutorial.

Shop it:

Leather leggings Red heels

14

Miss Universe

You Can Throw Together These Halloween Costumes in Minutes (15)

Go literal with this one. Cover a blue skirt with a replica of the galaxy, then add the usual beauty queen accessories—a tiara, a sash, and a bouquet of flowers.

Shop it:

Blue skirt Foam planets

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

15

Mary Poppins

You Can Throw Together These Halloween Costumes in Minutes (16)

Get in the spirit for this year's Disney remake by dressing up like the beloved British nanny.

Get the tutorial.

Shop it:

Black Umbrella Bowler hat

16

Beetlejuice

You Can Throw Together These Halloween Costumes in Minutes (17)

Slip on a black and white striped T-shirt, then go heavy on the makeup and the temporary hair dye. For a great couples costume, have your partner go as Lydia.

Shop it:

Striped shirt Hair color

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

17

Hungry Hungry Hippos

You Can Throw Together These Halloween Costumes in Minutes (18)

For a fun family costume or mommy and me option, nod to a beloved classic game. Simply pin pom-poms onto a solid outfit and add a few felt accessories to a matching baseball cap.

Get the tutorial.

Shop it:

Pom-poms

18

Dwight from The Office

You Can Throw Together These Halloween Costumes in Minutes (19)

If you're a The Office fan this easy, quirky costume channeling the eccentric Dunder Mifflin salesman will make your Halloween.

Catch more creative costumes @kanstelar >>

Shop it:

Mustard button-up Tie Glasses

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

19

Tough Cookie

You Can Throw Together These Halloween Costumes in Minutes (20)

Pair your favorite athleisure with boxing gloves and a homemade cookie headband. All you need for the simple craft is a little cardstock and glue.

Get the tutorial.

Shop it:

Cardstock Boxing gloves

20

Mime

You Can Throw Together These Halloween Costumes in Minutes (21)

Want to wear your normal clothes? Pull out a striped shirt and black bottoms, then add a beret, white gloves, and a touch of makeup.

Shop it:

White gloves Black beret

You Can Throw Together These Halloween Costumes in Minutes (22)

McKenzie Jean-Philippe

Editorial Assistant

McKenzie Jean-Philippe is the editorial assistant at OprahMag.com covering pop culture, TV, movies, celebrity, and lifestyle. She loves a great Oprah viral moment and all things Netflix—but come summertime, Big Brother has her heart. On a day off you'll find her curled up with a new juicy romance novel.

You Can Throw Together These Halloween Costumes in Minutes (23)

Brigitt Earley

Contributing Writer

Brigitt is a writer, editor and craft stylist with nearly 15 years of experience. She specializes in lifestyle topics, including home, health, parenting, beauty, style, food, entertaining, travel and weddings. She has written for Glamour, People, Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, and more.

You Can Throw Together These Halloween Costumes in Minutes (2024)

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Greg O'Connell

Last Updated:

Views: 6584

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (62 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Greg O'Connell

Birthday: 1992-01-10

Address: Suite 517 2436 Jefferey Pass, Shanitaside, UT 27519

Phone: +2614651609714

Job: Education Developer

Hobby: Cooking, Gambling, Pottery, Shooting, Baseball, Singing, Snowboarding

Introduction: My name is Greg O'Connell, I am a delightful, colorful, talented, kind, lively, modern, tender person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.