Every year, I say I’m going to come up with a great Halloween costume. Yet somehow, I get lost studying for midterms that I forget how quickly Halloween approaches. Then, I have to run around and put something together that still looks good and I end up spending way more money than I planned on.
For those who are last minute like me, here are some ideas that my friends and I have DIYed for Halloween over the past couple years. They will save you both time and money and still look like you tried!
1. Prisoner/Robber
An easy DIY costume that is usually forgotten about is the prisoner. This was actually my last minute costume last year, and I put it together by wearing a black and white striped crop top, black jeans, black boots, and a black beanie. Complete the look by writing a prisoner ID number onto a post it note and putting it on your shirt. I also had black lipstick on hand that I thought made me look more bada*s.(Bonus points if your friend dresses up as a cop to be the ultimate cop and robber duo!)
2. Sugar Skull
The sugar skull is a pretty easy costume to put together because it only requires wearing all black, but the difficult part is applying all of the makeup. However, if you are up for it, the sugar skull is an awesome costume that always looks amazing. If you happen to have fake flowers lying around, putting those in your hair will complete the look.
3. Cheetah
Everyone owns at least one article of clothing that is cheetah print, and you definitely have cat ears hidden in a storage bin from a past Halloween costume or dance class when you were 5. Pair it with black, add cute heels, and complete the look by painting on whiskers and a nose with eyeliner. If you’re artistic, you can even create some cheetah print for the side of your face for an added appeal.
4. Mermaid
In my younger days, I really wanted to be Ariel (alright, I still do), so I wanted to dress up as a mermaid one year. I happened to do it last year; I used a green bandeau and a green maxi skirt. You can use any different color varieties of maxi skirts and bandeaus to fit the color scheme of the mermaid you want to be. I finished off my look by curling my hair, wearing pearl necklaces and bracelets, putting glitter on my body, and making hair clips using starfish that I bought from Michaels.
5. 80’s Girl
The 80’s were full of bright colors and work out clothes- so pair that together!Pick your brightest articles of clothing (preferably athletic clothes) and you’ll have the perfect look. Knee high socks, an off the shoulder sweatshirt (which you can achieve by cutting the neck of a crew neck sweatshirt), and scrunchies are a must. The bigger the hair, the better!*If you have a leotard, pair that with leggings and knee high socks!
6. Tourist
This costume is guaranteed to generate many laughs, and its super easy to pull together. Just go to Goodwill and get the busiest Hawaiian shirt you can find. Don’t forget funny sunglasses and a bucket hat!
7. Devil
The Devil costume is easy to pull off because all it requires is wearing red. There are millions of ways to put it together, and here is an idea below that one of my friends did which I loved.
8. Hippie
The hippie costume is incredibly easy because you can wear any type of tie-dye clothing to get the look. Add a flowered headband and sunglasses and you’re set.
9. TY Beanie Baby
The great thing about TY animals is that there is soooo many from which to choose. Pair any animal ears with a color scheme that goes with your animal. This could be a great group costume if everyone chooses to be a different TY animal!
10. Serena and Blair
Blondies- Grab your brunette BFF and you’ll be the ultimate duo. Make sure you don’t forget to add a little bit of Blair and Serena’s styles into the costume and everyone will be wishing they grew up on the Upper East Side like you.
11. Vampire
A Halloween classic. The creepier the makeup- the more the costume will look like you tried.
I hope you use some of these ideas! Happy Halloween!
xo Her Campus Scranton