111 Best Last-Minute Halloween Costumes That Are So Easy to DIY
You don't need much time or money for these last-minute Halloween costume ideas.
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Some people have been planning a Halloween costume since last November. For others, Halloween has snuck up once again, leaving you scrambling for a costume. But there's no need to stress out: We've rounded up the best last-minute Halloween costumes you can buy or DIY. Some of these costumes require pieces that may take a few days to arrive after ordering. If you truly waited until the last minute, there are also plenty of costumes here you can put together in less than 30 minutes using things you already have at home or things you can easily get at a drugstore or dollar store. From iconic trio costumes to couples costumes to costumes for women, we've got more than 100 ideas for last-minute Halloween costumes.
Whether you're trying to outfit your whole crew for Halloween or just yourself, finding a last-minute costume doesn't have to involve picking through the last few options at the Halloween store. These costumes make the most of things you already have or items that are easy to acquire. You'll look so good, no one will guess it was a last-minute costume!
If you're looking for additional Halloween costume inspiration, check out our roundups of the best '90s Halloween costume ideas, the best scary couples' costume ideas, and the best book character costume ideas.
Elphaba Last-Minute Halloween Costume
With the upcoming release of the new Wicked movie, this is sure to be a popular costume. If you've got a black dress, all you really need is green body paint to bring your Elphaba look to life. If you're looking to go all-out, grab a witch hat, a broom, or the character's signature glasses.
RELATED: The Best 'Wicked' Costume Ideas That Practically Defy Gravity
Glinda Last-Minute Halloween Costume
Need a last-minute costume for you and your best friend? Go as Elphaba and Glinda! Finally, that old prom dress in your closet gets a new life. If you don't already have a pink tulle dress and no time to check the thrift store, you can grab one on Amazon.
RELATED: 45 Best Friend Halloween Costumes You and Your BFF Can DIY or Buy
Carmy Berzatto from 'The Bear' Last-Minute Halloween Costume
The Bear was a show everyone was talking about this year, meaning it'll be a popular Halloween costume. Dressing as Carmy couldn't be easier. All you need is a blue apron, a white tee, and some temporary tattoos. Get into character by adding "chef" to the end of all your sentences.
Team USA Olympian Last-Minute Halloween Costume
If you were obsessed with watching the summer Olympics, consider Halloween your chance to be an Olympian for a day. Put on your running clothes, your gymnastics leotard, a basketball jersey, or whatever else you've got lying around that's related to an Olympic sport. All you need now is the gold medal and an American flag.
Cruella de Vil Last-Minute Halloween Costume
Cruella de Vil is an easy last-minute Halloween costume, especially if you've already got a red coat or dress. All it really takes to pull off this iconic costume is the character's signature black-and-white hair.
RELATED: All The Best Cruella de Vil Costume Ideas for Halloween
Witch Last-Minute Halloween Costume
True procrastinators know that this really is the easiest last-minute costume. Just grab a black dress from your closet, a witch hat, and voila. If you don't even have time to order a hat online, you can often find them at Halloween stores or in seasonal sections at drugstores.
Lydia from 'Beetlejuice' Last-Minute Halloween Costume
Beetlejuice costumes are sure to be spotted all around the neighborhood this year, thanks to Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. An easy last-minute one will be Lydia from Beetlejuice in her red wedding dress.
Ghost Last-Minute Halloween Costume
If you've truly got no time, go shopping in your linen closet for an old sheet to fashion a classic ghost costume. We love this take with sunglasses on top!
Shop Sunglasses
Cat Last-Minute Halloween Costume
Put on your favorite black shirt or dress, buy or DIY a set of cat ears, and use an eyeliner pen to draw on a set of whiskers. Voila!
'When Life Gives You Lemons' Last-Minute Halloween Costume
Grab a yellow dress or T-shirt and a few lemons from the grocery store for this punny costume.
Get the tutorial at Club Crafted.
Shop Yellow Dress
Mummy Last-Minute Halloween Costume
For this spooky costume, all you need is a few rolls of white gauze. The kids will have tons of fun bringing this costume to life!
Ghost Writer Last-Minute Halloween Costume
Punny, cute, and quick — what more could you want for a boo-tiful last-minute costume idea? All you need is a white skirt, white T-shirt, fabric paint or a marker, and writer props (think: an old composition book and a pencil).
Ms. Pac-Man Last-Minute Halloween Costume
For this easy DIY Pac-Man costume, you’ll only need a black dress (or black oversized T-shirt) and adhesive felt. Game on! We did this in under 30 minutes. Cut 4 ghosts, a yellow Pac-Man, and white circles out of the adhesive felt, then stick 'em on.
Rubik's Cube Last-Minute Halloween Costume
Lucky for you, crafting this costume is way easier (and quicker) than solving a Rubik's cube! The key to this DIY is a box. Cut holes in the box for the head and arms, then use craft glue to attach colored construction paper. We cut 40 total 5 1/2" squares using 6 colors.
Cassette Tape Last-Minute Halloween Costume
Old school is cool! To make your very own mixtape, here's what you'll need: A flat, narrow box with a 1-inch thickness (or a piece of flat cardboard); construction paper or cardstock; 2 take-out soup containers; 2 takeout condiment containers; black tape; glue stick.
Then, follow these easy steps:
- Completely cover the box in black paper. Cut out a slightly smaller white rectangle for the label; glue down.
- Cut the bottoms off of the soup containers, so they're about 2-inches thick; paint white, then replicate the rotating inner spools with black tape and secure with glue. Cover the lids and bottoms of the condiment containers in tinfoil; glue in corners.
- Add colorful stripes with painter's tape or draw on. Come up with a name for your mixtape and use ribbons to hang.
Karate Kid Last-Minute Halloween Costume
If your child already has a karate uniform at home, simply add a headband and hi-ya… he's Karate Kid! Throw in a few karate kicks Mr. Miyagi would be proud of to make the costume extra convincing.
Good News Last-Minute Halloween Costume
We could all use a little good news right now! To create this "happy headline" dress, you'll need craft glue, newspaper, and an article of clothing to upcycle. We scoured newspapers for comics, positive words, feel-good stories — local sports wins, kids making honor roll — anything positive! Then, we cut out square and rectangle pieces, covered the front and back with craft glue, and stuck them on an old dress. Pro tip: Look for garments that are stiff, like denim, leather, or polyester, to help the garment keep its shape. And be sure to give yourself enough dry time!
Smart Shopper Last-Minute Halloween Costume
It doesn't take an Einstein to see why this last-minute kids' costume would be a hit! Raid the dress-up bin for a doctor's coat and grab the toy shopping cart from the playroom. You'll also need a fabric pen, a white wig or white hairspray, a mustache, and glasses (optional). As a bonus, the shopping cart is perfect for trick-or-treating hauls.
Sports Icons Last-Minute Group Halloween Costume
There's always a lot happening in the world of sports. The great part about this group costume is that you can always make a game time decision and easily add friends and family to your roster under the wire.
Easy Taylor Swift Halloween Costume
This is also sure to be a popular Halloween costume this year. Grab a sparkly leotard and a pair of boots and throw on some red lipstick for an easy Taylor Swift costume.
Elizabeth Berry (she/her) is the Updates Editor at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she optimizes lifestyle content across verticals. Prior to this role, she was an Editorial Assistant for Woman’s Day where she covered everything from gift guides to recipes. She also has experience fact checking commerce articles and holds a B.A. in English and Italian Studies from Connecticut College.
Jamie Ballard (she/her) is a freelance writer and editor who covers news, lifestyle, and entertainment topics, including sex and relationships, TV, movies, books, health, pets, food and drinks, pop culture, shopping, and personal finance. She regularly contributes to Cosmopolitan, Woman’s Day, Good Housekeeping, and YouGov, among other publications. When she’s not working, you can find her running, traveling, or scrolling TikTok. Follow her on Twitter.
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