55 Last Minute Homemade Halloween Costume Ideas (creative, cheap, and easy!)

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 55 easy last minute homemade Halloween costume ideas! Check out these creative Halloween costumes from your own clothes!

Creative last minute homemade costume ideas! You can DIY these quick Halloween costumes from your own clothes. Tons of cheap and easy costume ideas!

Are you sitting there stumped…wondering ‘what are some good Halloween costume ideas?’

Maybe you waited til the last minute, and need a quick costume, stat.

You want a cheap and easy costume, but still want it to be creative. (Ya know, so people think you really tried.)

Well you’re in luck! I’m here to share over 50 last minute Halloween costumes! 

You can put together these quick and easy costumes with normal clothes that you probably already have in your closet.

Or visit your local thrift store like Goodwill or Salvation Army, and DIY your costume for cheap.

These creative Halloween costume ideas are perfect for adults and kids alike, so need to wear the same old thing you wore last year.

Let’s check ‘em out!

(Psst: If you want to make a charcuterie board for your party, check out these 23 spooky Halloween charcuterie boards. They’re so fun!)

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Last Minute Homemade Halloween Costume Ideas

1. Hobo 

A worn pair of blue jeans or pants, with a plaid shirt and a hat of some sort can be turned into an easy hobo costume. A blazer with elbow pads and a pocket square or old tie would be an added touch.

Hang a cardboard sign around your neck, and draw a beard on with an eyeliner pencil to complete the look.

2. Bride or Groom 

Every thrift store I’ve ever been to has bridal gowns and suits or tuxedos. You could be an 80s bride, or a ‘dead’ bride with some fake blood

3. Prom queen 

Whether you want to be a pretty or zombie prom queen is completely up to you. You’ll be sure to find a variety of gowns at a thrift store, or maybe you still have yours from high school! A simple sash will complete the ‘queen’ look.

4. Politician 

Check out your normal work clothes – maybe one would make the perfect politician suit. Maybe you have an American flag to carry around too.

5. Maid 

You can find a short black dress and white apron for a French maid look. Don’t forget the feather duster!

Creative last minute homemade costume ideas! You can DIY these quick Halloween costumes from your own clothes. Tons of cheap and easy costume ideas!

6. Janitor 

Check out the ‘blue collar’ work clothes rack at the thrift store, and pick out a navy or grey work shirt and pants.

Make a homemade name tag and carry a mop for the full effect.

7. Used car salesman 

An ill-fitting worn-looking suit is a must have for your used car salesman costume.

Maybe leave the tacky white button shirt collar open and layer in some gold chains.

8. 80s pop or rock star 

Just picture your favorite music video from the 80s.

A guy could get a pair of tight, black pants (preferably pleather), a sleeveless shirt, and a bandana and be a rock star.

A leather jacket never hurts either. Ladies, find a short skirt and colorful shirt and tights. Don’t forget to triple barrel wave your hair!

9. Grecian 

A flowy white dress and gold belt and sandals are all you need. Or turn a white bed sheet into a toga.

10. Ballerina 

A leotard and some tights worn with a bun make an easy ballerina costume. Or be a zombie ballerina with this makeup. Your call.

11. Detective 

A trench coat is imperative for your detective costume. A hat, badge, magnifying glass, or little notebook would be a nice extra touch.

Creative last minute homemade costume ideas! You can DIY these quick Halloween costumes from your own clothes. Tons of cheap and easy costume ideas!

12. Librarian 

A collared white shirt, worn with a cardigan, and preferably some horn-rimmed glasses, will complete the librarian look.

Whether you want to be sexy or dowdy is completely up to you. Don’t forget to carry some books!

13. Secretary 

A similar look to the librarian, you should definitely be able to put together this easy homemade costume at the last minute. 

It might just be the easiest costume on the list!

14. 90s grunge rocker 

Wear some holey jeans with a t-shirt and flannel shirt tied around your waist.

Some Doc Martin style boots or a black leather jacket will really complete the look.

15. Farmer 

Check your local thrift for a pair of overalls and an old t-shirt or plaid shirt. Chew on a piece of hay for the full effect.

16. Scarecrow 

Just like the farmer costume, a plaid shirt with jeans or overalls work if you’re dressing up as a scarecrow.

Check the home decor section of the store for a small bale of hay you can dismantle and stuff in your pockets.

Creative last minute homemade costume ideas! You can DIY these quick Halloween costumes from your own clothes. Tons of cheap and easy costume ideas!

17. Lumberjack 

A flannel shirt, worn with jeans and suspenders, and a knit cap make an easy lumberjack costume. You could check the toy section of the dollar store for an axe to carry.

18. Grandma or Grandpa 

Thrift stores are perfect to find some grandparent clothing! Pick out your favorite grandma or grandpa outfit, spray your hair grey, and pencil in some lines on your face.

19. Nerd 

Suspenders worn over a white shirt are all you need for a nerd costume, though a bow tie and some big glasses with tape on them sure don’t hurt.

20. Fortune Teller or Gypsy 

Look for a colorful caftan or flowy dress, and pair with an exotic-looking scarf for your head or waist. Big hoop earrings would be a great touch.

Creative last minute homemade costume ideas! You can DIY these quick Halloween costumes from your own clothes. Tons of cheap and easy costume ideas!

21. Bank robber or Burglar 

Look for a black and white striped shirt to pair with black pants or jeans. Sunglasses or a black eye mask and a knit cap finish the look. Don’t forget a bag to carry your stolen goods!

22. Skeleton  

Here’s a tutorial for how to make a skeleton costume from a plain black t-shirt. 

23. Crazy cat lady 

Find an old bathrobe, then attach some little stuffed cats to the robe (with safety pins, etc.) to easily become a crazy cat lady. Some rollers in your hair would really complete the look!

24. Doctor or nurse 

I always see plenty of scrubs at the thrift store. A paper mask or stethoscope are the perfect added touches. You could add some fake blood if you want to look like you had a rough night.

25. Hippie 

A white peasant blouse with a suede vest or anything fringy or tie-dye is perfect for dressing up as a hippie. Don’t forget the scarf around your forehead, and give everyone the peace sign.

Creative last minute homemade costume ideas! You can DIY these quick Halloween costumes from your own clothes. Tons of cheap and easy costume ideas!

26. Bird watcher 

All things khaki are perfect for a bird watcher costume. Added touch: borrow a book about birds from the library, and borrow your dad’s binoculars.

27. 50s housewife 

A cute A-line style dress with an apron are all you need, though a string of pearls and some high heels would also be adorable.

28. Lady of the evening

AKA a hooker. Some very high heels and a tight, short dress with big, teased-up hair would give the full effect if you want to dress up like a lady from the world’s oldest profession.

Bonus points if you find fishnet stockings and a blonde wig.

29. Clown 

You may get lucky and find an actual clown costume at the thrift store. Failing that, you can put one together with some colorful, oversized garments and a little white face paint.

Think stripes and polka dots, and suspenders. A clown nose seals the deal.

30. Mad scientist 

A white lab coat or even an oversized button down shirt or apron is the basis for a mad scientist costume. Crazy hair and big glasses help too, as does a homemade hazard ‘patch’ and pens for your pocket.

Creative last minute homemade costume ideas! You can DIY these quick Halloween costumes from your own clothes. Tons of cheap and easy costume ideas!

31. Athlete 

I’m sure you have a jersey lying around the house somewhere. You can easily become a basketball, baseball, or soccer player, or a tennis star or cheerleader.

32. Golf pro 

An argyle sweater vest and tweed pants or a pleated skirt would be perfect if you want to dress up like a golf pro. Don’t forget to carry a golf club!

33. Pirate 

A white blouse or dress shirt, paired with a vest or waist scarf, make an easy pirate costume. Stop by the toy section of a dollar store to pick up a plastic sword.

34. Flight attendant 

A pencil skirt and white blouse worn with heels and a little neck scarf would make an easy flight attendant costume. Add in a little hat if you come across one.

You can pull a suitcase behind you or carry a tray too!

35. Tourist 

This is the perfect last minute homemade Halloween costume! Wear or borrow a Hawaiian shirts, along with a straw hat and summery handbag.

(Bonus points if you add in a lei or a fanny pack.)

Creative last minute homemade costume ideas! You can DIY these quick Halloween costumes from your own clothes. Tons of cheap and easy costume ideas!

If you prefer to be a specific character, check out these easy homemade costume ideas from movies and TV shows!

Easy homemade character costume ideas:

36. Golden Girls 

This works especially well if you need ideas for group costumes and have 3 other friends to dress up with you.

(Or just pick your favorite Golden Girl and go without a group.)

Maybe your mom or grandma has some 80s looking outfits, including sequin-y sweaters, pantsuits, and cardigans you can borrow. And get a Golden Girls wig if you really want to do it up right.

37. Wayne and Garth 

The perfect quick Halloween costume with jeans! Wayne wears a black t-shirt and a Wayne’s World black hat with ripped jeans.

The Garth costume consists of a blue plaid shirt over a t-shirt and holey jeans. Don’t forget the drum sticks!

38. Jim and Pam 

Everyone’s favorite duo from The Office is a fun Halloween costume idea for couples!

There are quite a few iconic Jim and Pam outfit ideas to choose from. Jim can wear a light blue dress shirt with navy tie, and Pam can wear a light pink cardigan over a white shirt with a khaki skirt. And white sneakers, of course.

(Print out some Dunder Mifflin nametags if you really want to be thorough!)

39. Audrey Hepburn 

A black dress, pearls, and long black gloves make an easy Audrey Hepburn costume. Some sunglasses, a tiara, and a 1920s cigarette holder are the perfect finishing touches.

Creative last minute homemade costume ideas! You can DIY these quick Halloween costumes from your own clothes. Tons of cheap and easy costume ideas!

40. Eleven 

From Stranger Things on Netflix, of course. Eleven wears a light pink dress, blue jacket, and knee-high sport socks.

Carrying a box of Eggo waffles and adding some fake blood dripping from your nose would solidify the costume.

41. Harry Potter 

Look through your normal clothes for a white dress shirt, black sweater vest, and a black robe.

Check a thrift store (or your dad’s closet) for a maroon and gold tie. Look around for some round glasses and something you can make a wand out of.

42. Mean Girls 

From the movie Mean Girls, of course. This is the perfect last minute Halloween costume for a group of girls.

You could go a couple different routes with it. A short little skirt and pink sweater, or the bunny look, or cut two holes in a white tank top for the iconic Regina George effect.

Creative last minute homemade costume ideas! You can DIY these quick Halloween costumes from your own clothes. Tons of cheap and easy costume ideas!
Credit: Paramount Pictures

43. Deb from Napolean Dynamite 

All a Deb costume needs is an 80s-looking pastel top and pants, your hair in a side pony scrunchie, Keds, and a fanny pack or Caboodle. (Boondoggle keychains optional.)

44. Cruella De Vil 

White and black animal print is what to look for with this 101 Dalmatians character costume. Something made of fur is ideal, as are long black gloves and a cigarette holder,  and of course, red lipstick.

45. Zoolander 

A black and white sweater and head scarf, and dark overcontoured makeup are the key to a Zoolander costume. Just be your really, really, ridiculously good-looking self.

46. Wednesday Addams 

A black dress with a white collar poking out the top, plus black tights and shoes complete the look of this Addams Family character. Don’t forget to braid your hair!

Creative last minute homemade costume ideas! You can DIY these quick Halloween costumes from your own clothes. Tons of cheap and easy costume ideas!

47. Risky Business 

For a guy (or open-minded girl), Tom Cruise’s character from Risky Business is one the easiest Halloween costumes to put together from your own clothes.

An oversized white (or pink) dress shirt, some boxer shorts, and white socks worn with sunglasses.

48. Wilson from Home Improvement 

I am like the biggest Home Improvement fan for some reason. You can dress up like Wilson by wearing some khakis with a flannel shirt and a fishing hat. You can even make a little ‘fence’ to cover part of your face with popsicle sticks if you’re crafty like that. 

49. Sally from the Nightmare Christmas 

Look for an old patchwork-style dress, and draw some stitched up lines on your limbs and face.

50. Super Mario 

A red shirt worn with overalls or jeans and suspenders and a red hat make an easy DIY Super Mario costume. You can make a red and white M for your hat out of paper or felt.

Your friend or significant other could be Luigi by wearing green instead of red.

Here's a list of 55 cheap and easy Halloween costume ideas that you can make from a thrift store. This is how to make your Halloween costume on a budget!

51. Minion 

Just wear a yellow shirt or hoodie, and pair with overalls or jeans and suspenders. Here’s a tutorial on how to make your own Minion glasses, or buy them here.

52. Sandy from Grease 

Hasn’t every girl wished she was Sandy from Grease at one time or another? Some tight black pants or leggings and a slim fitting black shirt or leather jacket and red heels make an easy Sandy costume.

53. Charlie Brown ghost 

If you’ve ever seen It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, you know his ghost costume had way too many eye holes in it. To replicate it, cut a bunch of black circles out of a black t-shirt or some felt, and attach to a white bedsheet. (Tip: Trace them using a drinking glass.)

Glue them onto the bedsheet with fabric glue or a hot glue gun. Don’t forget to cut some actual eye holes so you can see! You can carry around a paper bag and write “I got a rock” on it for an added touch.

54. Rosie the Riveter 

To make a homemade Rosie the Riveter costume, wear a denim shirt and high-waisted jeans, and a red bandana or scarf.

Tie the shirt up in the front (or tuck it in) and put the bandana or scarf around your hairline.

55. Mary Poppins 

You can easily be Mary Poppins for Halloween by wearing a white dress shirt, black skirt, black hat, and red bow tie from your closet.

Pair that with black tights and heels. To really make it cute, carry an umbrella, and glue some fake flowers to the hat. Look for a velvet bag or purse when you’re visiting your grandma, or at Goodwill or the Salvation Army.

Here's a list of 55 cheap and easy Halloween costume ideas that you can make from a thrift store. This is how to make your Halloween costume on a budget!
Source: Disney

What last minute homemade costume idea will you choose?

I hope this list of easy last-minute costume ideas have given you inspiration for making a cheap, easy Halloween costumes from your own clothes!

The best part is that these easy diy costumes are seriously so much fun to put together, versus something store-bought.

Who knows, you might just be the hit of the party!

Thrift Shopping Resources:

If none of your ‘normal clothes’ will work for these DIY Halloween costumes, consider supporting your local thrift shop to put together your costume!

Other Fall posts to check out:

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cheap and easy Halloween costume ideas

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