The Best 15 Easy DIY Halloween Costume Ideas

Halloween is creeping up fast (pun intended). And let’s be real—nobody wants to drop $80 on a store-bought costume you’ll wear once and then shove in a closet. IMO, the best costumes are the ones you throw together with a little creativity, some stuff you already own, and maybe a hot glue gun that’s seen better days. Ever noticed how the “last-minute” DIY costumes are usually the ones everyone talks about? Yeah, there’s a reason.

So, if you’re on the hunt for easy DIY Halloween costume ideas that’ll save your wallet and still make you the star of the party, I’ve got you covered. Here are 15 foolproof, fun, and totally doable costume ideas—even if you wait until the night before Halloween (no judgment, I’ve been there).

1. The Classic Ghost (With a Twist)

Sure, cutting eye holes in a white sheet feels basic—but add some accessories and suddenly you’ve got options.

Cool Ghost: Throw on sunglasses and carry a pumpkin spice latte.
Rockstar Ghost: Add a fake guitar and some messy hair.
“Boo, But Make It Fashion” Ghost: Tie a belt around your waist and wear boots.

Seriously, it’s low-effort but never fails. Who doesn’t laugh at a ghost with shades?

2. Wednesday Addams

Got a black dress? Great, you’re halfway there.

Details that matter: Braid your hair in two pigtails and add a white collar (you can even tape paper around the neckline if you don’t have one).
Carry around a headless doll for maximum creep factor.

Bonus: you can stay in character all night by perfecting that deadpan Wednesday stare.

3. Mummy Without the Mess

Forget spending hours wrapping toilet paper (that stuff falls off in five minutes). Use white athletic tape or strips of old fabric.

Layer them over a white shirt and pants.
Smudge some dark makeup around your eyes for the “I just crawled out of a tomb” look.

Trust me, you’ll thank yourself when you don’t leave a trail of TP everywhere you walk.

4. Scarecrow

This one’s ridiculously easy and surprisingly cute.

Wear flannel, overalls (or jeans), and boots.
Use eyeliner to draw fake stitches on your face.
Stick some straw (or raffia ribbon) in your pockets and hat.

I wore this one year, and strangers kept telling me I was “adorably spooky”—which, honestly, is the best Halloween compliment.

5. Cat (But Not the Boring Kind)

We’ve all seen the basic cat costume: black dress, ears, whiskers. But why stop there?

Glam Cat: Add sequins, glitter eyeliner, and heels.
Lazy Cat: Go all in on the sweatpants vibe with ears and a tail.
Grumpy Cat: Paint on a frown and commit to the mood all night.

Because let’s be honest—the cat costume will always get some attention.

6. Tourist

Want comfort and laughs? Go as an over-the-top tourist.

Hawaiian shirt, shorts, socks with sandals.
Hang a camera around your neck.
Carry a map (bonus points if it’s upside down).

People will instantly get it, and you’ll stay comfy all night. Win-win.

7. Zombie Anything

Take literally any outfit you already own and zombify it.

Rip the clothes a little.
Smear some fake blood or red lipstick on them

Use dark eyeshadow to hollow out your eyes.

Ever wondered why zombies work so well? Because they’re timelessly creepy and you can’t mess them up.

8. Witch

Classic? Yes. Overdone? Maybe. But DIY witches have endless potential.

Black dress + hat = instant witch.
Add bold green eyeshadow or purple lipstick.
Carry a broom (or if you’re lazy like me, a Swiffer).

The broom joke alone is worth it. :)

9. Lifeguard

Super easy if you’ve got red clothing lying around.

Red shorts and a red tank or tee.
Write “LIFEGUARD” with tape or a marker.
Carry a whistle and sunglasses.

Just be prepared for people to yell “Baywatch!” at you all night.

10. Vampire

Vampires are basically the “little black dress” of Halloween. Always in style.

All-black outfit.
Red lipstick (dab some around your mouth for fake blood).
Optional: cheap vampire teeth (but IMO, they’re annoying to talk in).

Pro tip: skip the cape if you don’t have one—nobody will care as long as you’ve got the fangs and attitude.

11. Hippie

Dig through your closet for anything tie-dye or flowy.

Add round sunglasses and peace-sign jewelry.
Flowers in your hair = extra points.
Walk around saying “good vibes only.”

It’s laid-back, colorful, and—you guessed it—super easy.

12. Athlete

You don’t even need to buy anything for this.

Wear your sports team’s jersey or gym gear.
Add some eye black (a little eyeliner works too).
Carry a ball or racket as a prop.

It’s basically a free pass if you’ve ever played a sport.

13. Nerd

Another classic that works because everyone gets it instantly.

Button-up shirt tucked into high-waisted pants.
Suspenders, glasses (tape in the middle if possible).
Carry a stack of books.

For extra fun, throw in math jokes nobody understands.

14. Greek God or Goddess

This looks fancy but is surprisingly low effort.

Use a white sheet to make a toga (secure it with safety pins).
Add a gold belt or rope around your waist.
If you’ve got time, make a laurel crown from fake leaves.

You’ll look like you tried way harder than you actually did. ;)

15. Emoji Costume

Simple, creative, and guaranteed laughs.

Cut out a big yellow circle from cardboard.
Draw your favorite emoji face (crying-laughing, heart eyes, etc.).
Attach it to your shirt or hang it around your neck with string.

Who doesn’t want to literally be their favorite emoji for the night?

Quick Tips for DIY Halloween Success

Before you grab the scissors and glue gun, here are a few pro tips:

Check your closet first. You probably own half the stuff already.
Makeup = magic. A little eyeliner and lipstick can turn “meh” into “whoa.”
Props seal the deal. A broom, book, or fake blood instantly sells a costume.
Comfort matters. If you can’t sit, dance, or breathe in it… maybe rethink.

Final Thoughts

Halloween doesn’t have to drain your bank account or stress you out. With these 15 easy DIY Halloween costume ideas, you can throw something together that’s funny, creative, and 100% party-approved. Honestly, half the fun is seeing how much you can do with so little.

So, which one’s calling your name this year? Personally, I might go tourist again—nothing beats comfy shoes and a camera prop for storing snacks. ;) Whatever you choose, just remember: the best costume is the one you actually enjoy wearing.

Happy haunting, my friend!