Halloween costumes are fun, but dang they can get pricey. If you’ve ever tried to outfit a whole group, you know the pain of watching your bank account weep as you scroll past those $80 “deluxe” outfits. Like, sorry, Spirit Halloween, but I’m not dropping my rent money to dress as an inflatable T-Rex (tempting, though).
The good news? You can absolutely look amazing as a group without blowing your budget. With a little creativity (and some teamwork), you can put together costumes that are funny, clever, and totally Instagram-worthy—all while spending less than what you’d normally spend on one “official” costume.
I’ve rounded up my top 10 favorite low-cost group Halloween costume ideas that actually look good. Trust me, you won’t look like you just gave up and threw on a bedsheet. Ready? Let’s go.
1. Classic Ghost Squad
Simple? Yes. Iconic? Absolutely.
Grab some white sheets, cut eye holes, and boom—you’ve got the easiest group costume ever. But here’s the kicker: you can customize it.
- Add sunglasses and chains → “Boujee Ghosts.”
- Carry Starbucks cups → “Basic Ghosts.”
- Use thrifted patterned sheets → “Retro Ghosts.”
It’s cheap, it’s fast, and let’s be honest, you’ll still get compliments. Ever wondered why this works so well? Because minimal effort + maximum nostalgia = perfection.
2. The Scooby-Doo Gang
Fred, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy, and of course, Scooby. Everyone recognizes them instantly, which makes this a total win.
You don’t even need official costumes. Just raid your closet (or hit up a thrift store):
- Velma: Orange sweater, red skirt, knee socks.
- Shaggy: Green t-shirt, brown pants, messy hair.
- Daphne: Purple dress, green scarf, extra sass.
- Fred: White sweater, blue jeans, orange scarf.
- Scooby: Brown hoodie with DIY ears (felt + hot glue = magic).
Seriously, I once dressed up as Velma with a $3 sweater from Goodwill, and people loved it. Cheap AND effective.
3. M&Ms Crew
Nothing screams “group costume” like matching candy. You just need solid-color t-shirts (different colors for each M&M) and white felt to make the letter “M.”
Why I love this idea:
- Scalable. Got 3 friends? Perfect. Got 12? Even better.
- Cheap. You can snag tees at Walmart or Michaels for under $5.
- Customizable. Add tutus, hats, or face paint if you want extra flair.
Pro tip: Bring actual M&Ms to hand out. Instant crowd favorite. :)
4. The Average Tourists
Cargo shorts, Hawaiian shirts, socks with sandals, fanny packs—the whole look.
It’s ridiculously easy because you probably own half of this stuff already (don’t deny it). Plus, you get to carry snacks in your fanny pack, which IMO is the real win.
Want to crank up the comedy? Carry disposable cameras, oversized maps, or ask random strangers, “Excuse me, where’s the bathroom?”
5. Deck of Cards
This one sounds complicated but is actually super easy. Buy cheap poster boards, cut them into rectangles, and draw (or print out) card suits and numbers. Tape string to the top so you can hang them over your shoulders.
The best part? You can be as many cards as you want. Four of you? Be the Aces. Ten of you? Be a whole hand of poker.
It’s lightweight, fun, and definitely a conversation starter. Ever wanted to say, “I’m literally the Ace of Spades” and mean it? Now’s your chance.
6. Men in Black (or Women in Black)
Black suits, white shirts, black sunglasses. That’s it. You look sharp, coordinated, and mysterious—all without spending much.
Don’t have a black suit? Black jeans + black jacket still works. Carry a toy “neuralyzer” (or just use a flashlight) for extra effect.
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This one’s awesome if you want something low-effort but still slick. You’ll feel cool without spending a dime.
7. Rock, Paper, Scissors
Got three people? This one’s gold.
- Rock: Grey outfit + crumpled paper texture taped on.
- Paper: White poster board with lines.
- Scissors: Make oversized cardboard scissors and wear red.
It’s goofy, clever, and you’ll 100% get laughs. Bonus: you can actually “battle” throughout the night. Loser buys the next round of candy (or drinks, depending on the party).
8. Emojis Squad
We all have a favorite emoji, right? Print out big emoji faces, stick them to cardboard, and wear them like masks. Or just wear solid tees and paint the emojis on them.
Some fun group picks:
-
😎
-
😂
-
👻
-
💀
-
🥳
Cheap? Yep. Recognizable? Definitely. Also, no one can say “I didn’t get your costume.” Everyone uses emojis.
9. The Average Office Workers (a.k.a. “The Last-Minute Special”)
Think about it—you probably already have this costume in your closet. White button-down, slacks, maybe a tie. Carry a fake name tag or coffee cup, and you’re done.
Want to make it more fun? Be characters from The Office. A little “World’s Best Boss” mug and boom—you’re Michael Scott. Pair it with a stapler in Jell-O for bonus points.
It’s budget-friendly and gives you built-in excuses to quote the show all night.
10. The “Social Media” Group
This one’s clever and very DIY-friendly. Each person picks a social media platform (Instagram, TikTok, Twitter/X, Facebook, etc.) and dresses in that color scheme. Then, make cardboard props to represent the logos.
Examples:
- Instagram: Gradient shirt + prop camera.
- TikTok: Black outfit with neon details.
- Twitter/X: Blue shirt + cardboard bird.
- Facebook: Giant “F” on a poster board.
It’s funny, recognizable, and you can joke about being “an influencer” all night without shame. :/
Tips to Keep Your Group Costume Cheap but Amazing
Okay, so you’ve picked your theme. How do you make sure you don’t overspend? Here’s what I’ve learned from years of DIY Halloween chaos:
- Thrift Stores = Gold Mines. You’d be shocked at what you can find for a couple of bucks.
- DIY Props Make a Difference. Cardboard, felt, and hot glue go a long way.
- Coordinate Early. Nothing kills a group costume faster than last-minute flakes.
- Keep Comfort in Mind. If you can’t sit, dance, or eat candy in it, rethink it.
Trust me, nobody wants to be “that guy” peeling off duct tape halfway through the night.
Conclusion
Halloween should be fun, not financially stressful. With a little creativity, you and your friends can rock a group Halloween costume that’s low-cost but still looks amazing. From classic ghosts to clever DIY social media outfits, there’s something here for every squad size and budget.
So grab your friends, hit the thrift store, and get crafting. And remember—half the fun is in making the costume together. Plus, you’ll save enough money to splurge on candy, which, IMO, is the real spirit of Halloween. 🎃