DIY costumes from stuff you already own

DIY costumes · 7 min read

October 30th. No costume. Stores picked over, shipping too slow, and you're not spending good money on a plastic bag with a cape. Good news: the best costumes often come from your own closet. Here are ten you can pull together in about an hour, using things you probably already have.

The five-minute classics

The sheet ghost. The oldest costume in the book, and honestly still charming when done with intent. Cut eye holes high enough to see clearly, and trim the hem so it clears the floor — tripping is the real horror here. A little grey face paint around the eyes adds character.

The tourist. Hawaiian shirt, shorts, socks with sandals, camera around the neck, sunscreen stripe on the nose, map sticking out of a back pocket. Everyone gets it instantly, and it's weirdly comfortable for a long night.

The "error" costume. White t-shirt, black marker: draw a big "404" on the front and "Costume Not Found" underneath. The laziest clever costume ever invented, and it gets laughs every time.

Closet + one prop

The artist. Black beret (or any dark hat), striped shirt, paint-splattered apron, and a cardboard palette with blobs of paint. Carry a brush behind your ear. Bonus points for a fake mustache drawn on with eyeliner.

The cat burglar. All black clothes, a beanie, a mask made from an old pillowcase with eye holes, and a pillowcase sack with a dollar sign drawn on it. Simple, recognizable, and you can move freely all night.

The zombie office worker. Your normal work outfit, deliberately disheveled: loosened tie, untucked shirt, smeared eyeliner under the eyes, grey-green face paint, and a coffee mug that never leaves your hand. The most relatable monster of all.

The scarecrow. Flannel shirt, jeans with patches (cut squares from an old pillowcase and safety-pin them on), straw hat, and stitched-on smile drawn with eyeliner. Stuff some raffia or shredded paper at the cuffs if you have it.

For the crafty-ish

The robot. A cardboard box for the torso (cut arm and head holes), covered in aluminum foil, with dryer-vent tubing or pool noodles for arms if you're ambitious. Draw buttons and dials with markers. The boxier, the better.

The jellyfish. Clear umbrella, streamers or ribbon taped inside the canopy, and a black or dark outfit underneath. When the streamers trail as you walk, the effect is genuinely beautiful — especially under party lights.

The mummy. White or off-white clothes as a base, then wrap with strips torn from old white sheets or toilet paper (toilet paper is a single-night commitment). Secure with safety pins, smudge with a little brown eyeshadow for age, and you're done.

DIY safety basics

• Keep hems off the floor and capes short enough to sit down in — most costume injuries are trips, not scares.
• Make sure you can see. Trim eye holes generously, and skip masks entirely if you'll be driving or supervising kids.
• Keep costumes away from open flames, including candle-lit pumpkins. Synthetic fabrics can melt before you feel the heat.
• Test face paint on a small patch of skin first, and remove it before bed.

The secret of great DIY costumes isn't crafting skill; it's commitment. Pick the idea that makes you laugh, wear it like you planned it for weeks, and nobody will believe it came from your closet an hour ago.