Halloween always sneaks up on me. One minute it’s September, and the next I’m staring at my closet thinking, “Oh great, now what can I turn into with zero prep and five bucks?” If you’ve been in the same boat (and I’m guessing you have since you’re reading this), don’t panic. Matching Halloween costumes don’t have to cost a fortune or take weeks of planning. You can throw together a DIY duo (or group) costume in a single afternoon.
And the best part? Half the fun of Halloween is the creativity—not the price tag. So grab a buddy, a sibling, or your significant other, and let’s brainstorm some last-minute, matching Halloween costumes you can DIY without losing your sanity.
1. Salt and Pepper Shakers
Simple, classic, and literally two colors.
- Grab a white outfit for salt and a black outfit for pepper.
- Cut out big “S” and “P” letters from paper, felt, or cardboard, and tape/pin them to your shirts.
- If you’re feeling fancy, make little “shaker tops” out of aluminum foil for hats.
It’s easy, recognizable, and guaranteed to get laughs. Honestly, it’s the costume equivalent of ordering pizza when you don’t want to cook—simple and effective.
2. Netflix and Chill
Yeah, it’s overdone… but admit it, you still chuckle when you see it.
- One of you rocks a Netflix logo shirt (DIY it with red fabric paint or a printout).
- The other wears pajamas or a comfy robe with a big “Chill” label.
- Bonus points if the “Chill” partner carries around a bag of popcorn.
It’s perfect for couples or besties who want a tongue-in-cheek option without much effort.
3. Lifeguard and Drowning Victim
This one’s hilarious and gives you an excuse to wear sunglasses inside.
- Person one: throw on red shorts, a whistle, and a lifeguard sign (printable if you’re lazy like me).
- Person two: wear normal clothes but smear on blue eyeshadow for that “I just drowned” vibe. Add some messy wet hair (water spray bottle works wonders).
Everyone gets it instantly, and you’ll definitely stand out from the sea of witches and cats.
4. Error 404 and Internet Explorer
For the nerds out there (myself included), this one hits home.
- Person one: Wear a plain white T-shirt and write “Error 404: Costume Not Found” in black marker.
- Person two: Find a blue shirt, print out the Internet Explorer logo, and tape it on.
It’s cheap, clever, and will get nods from every IT guy at the party. Ever wondered why simple costumes get the best laughs? It’s because they’re instantly relatable.
5. Bob Ross and a “Happy Little Tree”
Because nothing says wholesome Halloween like Bob Ross.
- Bob Ross: throw on a blue button-up shirt, jeans, and a curly wig/beard. Don’t forget a little paint palette (cardboard works).
- Tree: wear green, tape some leaves to your outfit, or wrap yourself in brown/green fabric.
You’ll spread pure joy all night—people might even ask for art lessons.
6. Plug and Socket
A little cheeky, but hey, it’s Halloween.
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Plug: wear white clothes, and cut out cardboard prongs to tape onto your shirt.
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Socket: wear black clothes, and cut two holes in cardboard to stick on your torso.
Cheap, funny, and guaranteed to get people talking. (Maybe don’t wear this one to your kid’s school party though, FYI.)
7. Mario and Luigi
Classic, nostalgic, and instantly recognizable.
- Overalls (or jeans + suspenders)
- Red shirt for Mario, green for Luigi
- Print out big “M” and “L” letters for your hats (or just tape them on baseball caps).
If you’ve got a third wheel friend, they can join as Yoshi or Princess Peach. IMO, group versions of this costume look even better.
8. Tourist Duo
Everyone has these items lying around.
- Hawaiian shirts or loud floral tops
- Big floppy hats or baseball caps
- Sunglasses, fanny packs, and socks with sandals (the uglier, the better).
Top it off by carrying a disposable camera or map. You’ll look ridiculous—in the best way possible.
9. Ghostbusters
Who ya gonna call? Your closet, apparently.
- Black or beige outfits work fine if you don’t own jumpsuits.
- Print out Ghostbuster logos and tape them onto your chest/arm.
- Make a DIY proton pack with a backpack and some duct-taped tubes.
It’s fun, it’s nostalgic, and it works for a duo or a group.
10. Milk and Cookies
Sweet, easy, and everyone loves it.
- Milk: wear all white, add “Milk” with a marker or printout.
- Cookie: wear brown, tape on black circles for chocolate chips.
Extra cute if you’re going as a couple. Bonus points if you carry around actual cookies (instant party favorite).
11. Zombies in Anything
Here’s the hack: you can zombie-fy literally any costume.
- Grab an old outfit (sports jersey, school uniform, or prom dress).
- Rip it up, add fake blood (or red lipstick if you’re out of time), and smudge on some dark makeup.
Boom. Zombie. The beauty of this one? It works for any duo or group—zombie cheerleaders, zombie doctors, zombie baristas. Instant spooky twist without effort.
12. Social Media Icons
TikTok, Instagram, Twitter (well… X now, but whatever).
- Each person picks a social media platform.
- Wear a shirt in the app’s color (blue for Twitter, purple for Instagram, etc.).
- Print out the app’s logo and tape it on.
It’s trendy, customizable, and easy to expand for larger groups.
Pro Tips for Pulling Off Last-Minute Costumes
Alright, before you run off to raid your closet, let me drop a few quick hacks:
- Raid your junk drawer. Aluminum foil, cardboard, and duct tape can transform literally anything.
- Own the attitude. Even if your costume looks DIY (because, well, it is), confidence makes it work.
- Coordinate props. A small detail—like a fake mustache, fanny pack, or paper sign—elevates a basic look.
- Test comfort. Don’t pick something you can’t sit, dance, or breathe in. You’ll thank me later.
Because let’s be real: the worst thing is a costume that falls apart by 9 PM. :/
Final Thoughts
So there you have it—12 last-minute matching Halloween costumes you can DIY without emptying your wallet or stressing out. From the punny (Salt & Pepper) to the geeky (Error 404 & Internet Explorer) to the downright adorable (Milk & Cookies), you’ve got plenty of options that are cheap, clever, and fun.
And hey, remember: Halloween isn’t about perfection. It’s about creativity, laughter, and maybe a little embarrassment. :) So grab a friend, pick one of these ideas, and own it like you planned it all along.
Now the only real question is… which one are you trying this year?