95 Easy Halloween Costume Ideas 2023 — DIY Last-Minute Costumes
As much fun as it can be to spend a bunch of time planning the ultimate elaborate look for October 31, you can have just as much fun dressing up on Halloween with minimal prep time. After all, sometimes the best ideas really do come together last-minute.
The best part about these last-minute looks is that you can find most of the necessary supplies and accessories around your house or already in your closet. This makes these easy Halloween costume ideas budget-friendly and also super unique since you didn’t buy your outfit from one of the main retailers many go to for Halloween costumes. From punny ideas and funny group costumes to quick DIY Disney character costumes that will bring you down memory lane, we have simple costumes for one person as well as last-minute family Halloween ideas and couples’ costumes .
So, maybe it’s Halloween Eve and you still don’t know what to dress up as on October 31. Fear not: There are plenty of creative DIY costume ideas for this very reason. Whatever the reason you’re in need of last-minute Halloween costume ideas — maybe you spent the days leading up to Halloween focused on planning the spookiest costume party yet, or were busy in the kitchen preparing your favorite treats for trick-or-treaters — you can still put together an easy Halloween costume that will look as great as any outfit planned weeks ahead.
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If your kids are fans of Disney’s 2012 film Wreck-It Ralph, then they’ll go crazy over the fact that one of their parents is going as the one-and-only Ralph for Halloween this year. And you’ll love it because the costume comes together quickly and easily.
Get the DIY Wreck-It Ralph Costume tutorial at See Vanessa Craft.
Lia Griffith
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Whether you’re a mom yourself or consider yourself an eco-friendly plant person, this handmade Mother Earth costume is so breathtaking you’ll want to wear it every year (which is sustainable!).
Get the at Lia Griffith.
Studio DIY/Kelly
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If you got excited opening up your lunch box as a kid to find your favorite flavor of juice, then this adorable DIY costume will bring you right back to your school days.
Get the DIY Juice Box Costume tutorial at Studio DIY.
Studio DIY/Kelly
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Whether bananas are your favorite fruit or you’re just looking for an easy and cute Halloween costume, this idea is sure to result in peels of laughter.
Get the DIY Banana Costume tutorial at Studio DIY.
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It doesn’t matter if you go with your significant other, friend, or simply by yourself, this intimidating-looking (but easy to pull off!) costume only requires some sunglasses and a black suit.
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To make the collar of this easy Alice in Wonderland-inspired costume, wrap a large piece of paper around your neck so you can trim it down to the right size. Then, staple cards from a deck all around the paper collar, layering them for a fanned-out effect. Pair it with a red dress and red heart lips and you’re good to go!
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If you have a little black dress hanging up in your closet, dress up as the iconic Audrey Hepburn in ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s.’ All you need is some black gloves, a pearl necklace, a tiara, and a cigarette holder. Maybe carry around a cup of coffee and a croissant for an added touch — and snack.
Kathryn Wirsing
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Dress in all white and attach a yellow circle of felt to your stomach. Add devil horns and a tail and all of a sudden breakfast has gone wicked.
Kathryn Wirsing
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Take a trip this Halloween (or at least act like you are) by dressing up in a Hawaiian shirt, a straw hat and, of course, a lei. Complete the look with a camera that you can actually use to capture memories from the night.
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If yellow is your color, then you probably already have a sweater you can use to replicate Cher’s plaid ensemble. All you need is the skirt.
RELATED: 35 Iconic ’90s Halloween Costumes to Celebrate an Outrageously Fun Decade
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And if you are looking for a last-minute costume with your bestie, then dress up as the Dionne to their Cher — someone would have to be clueless to not appreciate the pop culture reference.
A Beautiful Mess/Elsie Larson and Emma Chapman
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Dress up as your favorite soothing nighttime ritual.
Get the Essential Oil Costume tutorial at A Beautiful Mess.
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If you took a Friends personality quiz once (or twice, at the most) and got Monica, then this one-item costume is the one for you. Wear a slip dress you already have in the back of your closet, or find an affordable one below, and travel back in time to the ’90s.
A Beautiful Mess/Elsie Larson and Emma Chapman
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For a quick solo or group costume, quickly order a wig and then head to your local thrift store to grab some baggy sweaters, nightgowns, and pastel-colored skirts.
Get the Golden Girls Costume tutorial at A Beautiful Mess.
A Beautiful Mess/Elsie Larson and Emma Chapman
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To make a bold fashion statement at your Halloween costume party, sew this DIY Bjork dress that promises to be a memorable look. Although some sewing knowledge and supplies are needed to complete this costume, if you already have some experience under your belt then this is the perfect last-minute costume.
Get the Bjork Swan Dress Costume tutorial at A Beautiful Mess.
Gisela Schober
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For this iconic look, all you need is a flowy white dress and a blonde wig.
TIMOTHY A. CLARY
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No one’s going to have to search very hard to find your amazing costume. This look can also be done as a group costume — dog included.
RELATED: 50 Dog Halloween Costumes Every Pup Parent Needs
Studio DIY/Kelly
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Careful not to prick anyone at your Halloween party! Only joking. This cactus’s spikes are made from white yarn that look surprisingly realistic.
Get the DIY Cactus Costume tutorial at Studio DIY.
Kathryn Wirsing
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Throw on a brightly colored t-shirt and a fake medal, grab a loaf, and you’re ready to get that bread.
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A WWII culture icon, Rosie the Riveter is one of the easiest costumes to make last minute. All you need is a denim shirt and a red bandana headband.
Studio DIY/Kelly
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This naturally sweet costume is totally impressive with a stem headpiece made using a strawberry hat template. All you need is a simple red dress and some green shoes if you have them.
Get the DIY Strawberry Costume tutorial at Studio DIY.
Studio DIY/Kelly
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Look, we all have celebrity crushes. If you’ve fallen head over heels for a few actors over the years (or are just fans of their movies), this witty costume will put their faces on full display.
Get the DIY Raining Men Costume tutorial at Studio DIY.
Kathryn Wirsing
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Be the punniest person at the Halloween party by hot-glueing a snack-size bag of Lay’s potato chips to a yellow t-shirt.
Barry King
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Britney Spears has had a ton of memorable outfits over the years, but “Baby One More Time” is one of the easiest to recreate. All you need is a plaid skirt, a gray cardigan layered over a white button-up, and some hair accessories.
Kathryn Wirsing
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Round up a black beret, a striped tee, a red scarf, and a piece of “toast” crafted from cardboard. Punch two holes in the top of the bread and tie string to them to wear around your neck.
Studio DIY/Kelly
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“Snack time anytime” will become the motto of your Halloween night with this unique last-minute costume that’s decked out in multicolored pom poms.
Get the Frosted Animal Cookie costume tutorial at Studio DIY.
Kathryn Wirsing
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Got a bunch of gray paint swatches? Got a plain T-shirt? Then it looks like you’ve got yourself a punny costume!
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Sandy from Grease is a Halloween costume staple, and for good reason: It looks great and can usually be thrown together with items you already own. Just pair black leather leggings with a black bustier top and complete the look with a leather jacket.
Kathryn Wirsing
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Dress yourself in all black and attach rectangular strips of white felt down the center of your body to look like a dividing lane line. Then, tape a plastic fork over the dotted line and you’ve got yourself a metaphor (and a costume!).
Studio DIY/Kelly
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Whether Halloween falls on a Sunday or not this year, it’s always a good idea to dress up as a sundae. And the cherry on top? You probably already have half of the supplies for this delicious outfit at home.
Get the Ice Cream Cone Costume tutorial at Studio DIY.