10 Last-Minute Cute and Clever Halloween Costumes

Quick and easy costumes you can make at home

Halloween is an open invitation to dress as just about anything or anyone. This freedom, while exciting, can sometimes be overwhelming, especially if you’re in a time crunch or if your budget doesn’t allow for a store-bought ensemble. Not to worry—creativity and a few household items can go a long way in crafting a memorable costume. Whether you’re looking for something adorable, clever, or downright hilarious, here are ten last-minute cute and clever Halloween costume ideas that you can put together without stepping out the door.

1. Smarty pants

This is a super easy and fun Halloween costume that can be thrown together last minute. Take a pack of Smarties candies and use double-sided tape to attach them to a pair of jeans. Complete the look with some fake glasses and a book.

2. Queen of hearts

To make the collar, wrap a large piece of paper around your neck, and then 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. Finish off the costume with a red dress and red lipstick.

3. Cactus

To create a cute cactus costume, all you need is a green dress and white, yellow, pink, and purple yarn. You’ll also need scissors, a headband, and a hot glue gun. Cut several nine-inch pieces of yarn, and fold the pieces into thirds, and cut again into three-inch sections. Tie these together in a single knot in the center. Repeat with all other pieces. Using your hot glue gun, hot glue the yarn pieces all over your green dress. Make a pom-pom flower out of the colored yarn until you have five of them. Hot glue two pom-poms to one shoulder of the dress, one to the wrist of the opposite side of the dress, and three pom-poms onto a headband.

4. Starry goddess

To achieve this look, just add temporary star stickers to your favorite black dress to transform into a gold-dusted goddess. Finish off the costume with some body glitter and a shiny headband.

5. Holy guacamole

Perfect for avocado lovers, to create this costume, print out avocado illustrations that you find online and stick them on a green shirt. Then, purchase a set of wings and a halo from a costume store.

6. Raining men

This hilarious costume is a cinch to put together. Take cutouts of your favorite celebrity guys to a clear umbrella, then wear rain boots and a rain jacket to complete the look.

7. Skeleton

To make a simple skeleton costume, cut out sections of a white t-shirt to create a ribcage illusion and add some face paint. Be sure to wear a black tank underneath and pair it with skinny black jeans.

8. Bubble bath

Safety-pin white balloons to a white t-shirt, and then add a colorful shower cap for a last-minute Halloween costume.

9. Nerd

Wear a white t-shirt and black slacks. Then put suspenders on over the t-shirt and wrap some white tape around the center of a pair of glasses. Carry around a huge calculator to complete the look.

10. Paper doll

To create this fun and original costume, using poster board, design a dress, handbag, and bow. Then, cut it out and attach it to black clothes.

Get creative this Halloween

As you can see, a little imagination and some basic supplies are all it takes to create a fun and unique Halloween costume. These ideas not only save you time and money but also allow you to express your creativity and individuality. So this Halloween, why not dive into your craft drawer and wardrobe and see what you can conjure up? Whether you’re attending a party, handing out candy, or just enjoying a spooky movie marathon at home, these costumes are sure to add a touch of magic to your festivities. Happy haunting!

References

“55+ Last-Minute Halloween Costumes You Can Quickly DIY Before Your Big Party,” Good Housekeeping, September 24, 2019.
“39 Last-Minute Halloween Costume Ideas You Can Make in a Flash,” Woman’s Day, September 13, 2019.