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Last Minute costume ideas anyone can make in time for Halloween

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Hofstra chapter.

Are you having trouble coming up with a Halloween costume? You didn’t know you’d be going to a Halloween party this weekend? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Costumes are always a struggle to come up with during the month of October. Whether it’s trendy, repetitive or even just trying to be remotely comedic, costume ideas are hard, and making it happen is even harder. So, here are some easy, last-minute costume ideas everyone should have in their closets already.

1. Slim Shady
My costume for Slim Shady
Original photo by Ashley Bassick

Early 2000s rappers are an easy bet for costume ideas. Baggy pants with a white t-shirt are as simple as simple can get. Eminem’s “Slim Shady” look is basic, comfortable and just what a college student needs- easy. To accessorize the costume, adding a gold chain or a white hat completes the look. Shoes could be any white sneakers, basketball shoes or Nike shoes. Anything baggy with a hat and chain can even be turned into an Eminem costume or a 2000s rapper.

2. SKULL

My costume as a skeleton
Original photo by Ashley Bassick

For a more classic costume, a skull or skeleton is a simple costume to do with a more makeup-oriented approach. For the attire, all black would be an approach, or you could try doing an all-white ensemble. With the makeup part, a simple teeth line and black eyeshadow around the eyes is the easiest way to create a skeleton look. If you are better at makeup, trying to do a more complex makeup look would be another option. Other than the outfit and makeup, accessories are optional. Adding colored sunglasses could add a pop of color which you could swap out for a headband or a flower clip.

3. American Psycho

my costume for American psycho
Original photo by Ashley Bassick

Do you have an all-black suit and a red tie? Maybe a clear poncho lying around somewhere? This costume is the first of many movie-inspired costumes. With a black suit and red tie, the added poncho gives it the spooky American Psycho look. The axe might be harder to find for a prop, but Spirit Halloween probably has one, or you could make a sign asking “Has anyone seen my axe?” to make it a bit more fun.

4. GHOST

My costume as a ghost
Original photo by Ashley Bassick

A few years ago, there was a very popular TikTok trend going around involving ghost costumes and sunglasses. Well, as you might’ve guessed, the costume is just that. A plain white sheet and sunglasses are the only two things you need for this costume. It is recommended that the costume is just for photos though. It’ll be hard to see where you are going with your eyes covered. Unless eye holes are cut out of the sheet, like the traditional ghost costumes.

5. “It’s Raining Men”

My costume for \
Original photo by Ashley Bassick

Most people have celebrity crushes, so why not make that into a Halloween costume? To start, print out at least 10 of your favorite male celebrities or favorite male characters. String them onto an umbrella and there you have “raining men” from the classic song “It’s Raining Men” by the Weather Girls. The outfit can be anything, but make sure to add a raincoat and rain boots for it to have a better impression.

6. “When life gives you lemons…”

My costume for when life gives you lemons
Original photo by Ashley Bassick

Want to be a pun for Halloween? A simple costume for the phrase “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade” is to be life and have lemons or lemonade. A life costume can be simple as dressing in all white or wearing a white top with a basic jean bottom. You can buy lemons as a prop, but for an easy last-minute prop, you can buy some lemonade. Make-up and hair can be anything. This costume is open for creative freedom for the idea of life or making a twist out of the pun.

7. Men in Black

My costume for Men in Black
Original photo by Ashley Bassick

This one is eerily similar to the American Psycho look, but no poncho is needed for this one. For accessories, sunglasses and black shoes would be the bare minimum while adding the silver stick, in this case, a pen and an alien could be an added bonus to the look. Shoes, as stated previously, need to be black, but they could be anything from Doc Martin’s to a set of black heels.

8. Scarecrow

my costume of a scarecrow for last minute Halloween ideas
Original photo by Ashley Bassick

A scarecrow is a pretty simple costume. It consists of a flannel shirt with jeans and a cute makeup look. This makeup look is simpler than the skeleton costume. For this costume, jeans or overalls are best for the pants. You could do ponytails or braids for the hair and add a straw hat if you have one. The make-up is simplified with a black line of stitches and a patchy nose with blushed cheeks. This costume can be made creepy if you desire that route.

9. Risky Business

My costume for Risky Business movie
Original photo by Ashley Basssick

Off to another movie-inspired look, the Risky Business costume consists of a white dress shirt with spandex and white socks. If you plan to go out in this look, white sneakers are best with white socks. Don’t forget the sunglasses. It is also a fun idea for a large group, or for a duo costume.

10. Wednesday Addams

my costume for Wednesday Addams
Original photo by Ashley Bassick

Most people have the iconic Wednesday dress stored in their closets from past Halloweens. If you don’t own the dress, an alternative is a white collared shirt under a black sweater or shirt paired with a black skirt. Black tights can be added. Wednesday’s hair is two simple braids that are easily recreated. Shoes can be a pair of loafers or a black pair of flats. There isn’t much makeup to the look but a black lip would look cute.

11. Housewife/Trophy wife

my costume for a trophy wife
Original photo by Ashley Bassick

On a lighter note, a funny costume would be a trophy wife. If you don’t have any trophies, a simple housewife is the other option. For this costume, a collared dress or any dress that could give off “50s vibes” will do the trick. Add an apron with a red lip and the look is complete. The makeup is average with a simple cat eye with a basic foundation. The hair can be anything from a headband to a ponytail or curls. It’s free reign.

12. Camp Counselor

my costume for a camp counselor
Original photo by Ashley Bassick

Reminiscing on summer days? Well, a camp counselor costume can bring back the summer vibes everyone is missing. A simple camp shirt with shorts is the easiest way to get the look down. As for accessories, add a hat and whistle to the look or a key on a lanyard, if you don’t have a whistle. Shoes can be sneakers or hiking boats whichever is easiest. The added basketball is a prop to complete to look. The basketball can be switched out to a kickball or anything sporty.

13. Fat Thor

Are you too lazy to get out of bed for Halloween? Are you a Marvel fan? Fat Thor is a Halloween favorite. A simple flannel or sweater on top of sweatpants or flannel pants is a cozy option for this costume. A plain white t-shirt under the sweater and sunglasses over the eyes puts the costume together. Makeup-wise adding a beard is easy with an eyebrow pencil. Gloves can be added to the look, for accuracy, but aren’t necessary.

14. Sims Character

My costume for a sims character
Original photo by Ashley Bassick

The easiest costume of all. Do you not like any of the other costumes and you are still struggling to find something to where? Never fret, for a green sims gem can be added to your head. Being a sims character allows creative freedom over what you wear. It can be literally anything. So, have fun and be free with this costume.

15. Onesies

My costume for the onesie section
Original photo by Ashley Bassick

Do you own a onesie and never wear it? Now’s your chance. Onesies are really easy costumes to pull off. It is one simple attire to throw on and one you can even sleep in. Depending on the onesie, shoes and accessories will differ but stick with a simple pair of shoes like white sneakers or black boots. Props are optional. Plan to layer underneath the onesie if planning to go out to a Halloween party. It will most likely get cold or very hot wearing the onesie, so have something underneath to either wear afterward or keep warm.

This concludes the list of last-minute costume ideas for Halloweekend. Costumes can be difficult to pull off along with deciding which one you like best. If you try any, comment a pic or write any suggestions the list missed out on. Don’t worry about not liking the costume. “Creative freedom” is allowed on all of these costume ideas, hence the last-minute suggestion.

Hello! I'm a Hofstra Journalism major who loves coffee, dogs and all things Fall. I'm a Pisces, a total FOODIE (always looking for new food places to try!) and I'm trying my hand at everything in the world of journalism. I am super excited to give my all to writing some fun stuff :)