Browse the full list, or check off your basics above for six suggestions.
Low effort · simple finishing touches
Cat
Add ears and whiskers to a black base. Keep your shoes comfortable.
- Start with
- Black + Hoodie
- Cheap additions · reuse or borrow
- Paper ears on a headband + Washable eyeliner whiskers
See real published example scores
These are scores for the guide photos, not a prediction for your costume.
Last-minute Halloween costume ideas from your closet | ATELow effort · simple finishing touches
Vampire
Turn up a dark collar and add a dramatic paper cape.
- Start with
- Black + Button-up shirt
- Cheap additions · reuse or borrow
- Paper collar + Costume fangs
See real published example scores
These are scores for the guide photos, not a prediction for your costume.
Halloween costume ideas: how to score your look | ATELow effort · simple finishing touches
Witch
A dark dress and a pointed hat make the silhouette clear.
- Start with
- Black + Dress
- Cheap additions · reuse or borrow
- Paper cone hat + Ribbon hat band
Score my costume freeExplore Halloween checks & remindersLow effort · simple finishing touches
Devil
Wear red with black and make a small pair of horns.
- Start with
- Red + Black
- Cheap additions · reuse or borrow
- Paper horns + Ribbon tail
See real published example scores
These are scores for the guide photos, not a prediction for your costume.
How to upgrade a lazy Halloween costume: real scores | ATEMedium effort · some assembly
Angel
Keep the base white; lightweight wings and a halo finish it.
- Start with
- White + Dress
- Cheap additions · reuse or borrow
- Paper halo + Cardboard wings
See real published example scores
These are scores for the guide photos, not a prediction for your costume.
How to upgrade a lazy Halloween costume: real scores | ATEMedium effort · some assembly
Skeleton
Arrange removable tape as ribs on a dark top. Test it on a hidden seam first.
- Start with
- Black + Plain top
- Cheap additions · reuse or borrow
- White removable fabric tape
Score my costume freeExplore Halloween checks & remindersMedium effort · some assembly
Zombie
Use clothes you already plan to retire, with untucked layers and pale makeup.
- Start with
- Gray + Jeans
- Cheap additions · reuse or borrow
- Washable costume makeup + Scrap fabric patches
See real published example scores
These are scores for the guide photos, not a prediction for your costume.
How to upgrade a lazy Halloween costume: real scores | ATELow effort · simple finishing touches
Pirate
Loosen the shirt, roll the sleeves and tie a sash at the waist.
- Start with
- White + Button-up shirt
- Cheap additions · reuse or borrow
- Fabric sash + Paper hat
See real published example scores
These are scores for the guide photos, not a prediction for your costume.
Halloween costume ideas: how to score your look | ATELow effort · simple finishing touches
Cowboy or cowgirl
Pair denim with boots, then add a hat and a neck scarf.
- Start with
- Denim + Boots
- Cheap additions · reuse or borrow
- Borrowed wide-brim hat + Bandana
See real published example scores
These are scores for the guide photos, not a prediction for your costume.
Last-minute Halloween costume ideas from your closet | ATELow effort · simple finishing touches
Mime
A striped top and black bottoms make a simple mime base.
- Start with
- Striped top + Black
- Cheap additions · reuse or borrow
- White costume makeup + Red neck ribbon
Score my costume freeExplore Halloween checks & remindersLow effort · simple finishing touches
Ghost
Layer white clothes and drape a scarf over your shoulders; keep your face and feet clear.
- Start with
- White + Plain top
- Cheap additions · reuse or borrow
- White scarf + Paper ghost badge
Score my costume freeExplore Halloween checks & remindersMedium effort · some assembly
Bee
Add black stripes to a yellow base and a small antenna headband.
- Start with
- Yellow + Black
- Cheap additions · reuse or borrow
- Black removable fabric tape + Paper antennae
Score my costume freeExplore Halloween checks & remindersMedium effort · some assembly
Ladybug
Attach removable black dots to a red top or dress.
- Start with
- Red + Black
- Cheap additions · reuse or borrow
- Black felt dots + Paper antennae
Score my costume freeExplore Halloween checks & remindersLow effort · simple finishing touches
Nerd
Tuck in the shirt and add a bow tie for a playful bookish look.
- Start with
- Button-up shirt + Trousers
- Cheap additions · reuse or borrow
- Paper bow tie + Frame-only glasses
Score my costume freeExplore Halloween checks & remindersLow effort · simple finishing touches
Rock star
Use dark denim, rolled sleeves and one shiny homemade accessory.
- Start with
- Black + Jeans
- Cheap additions · reuse or borrow
- Foil wrist cuff + Cardboard microphone
Score my costume freeExplore Halloween checks & remindersLow effort · simple finishing touches
Ninja
Keep the silhouette dark and tie a fabric belt. Leave vision unobstructed.
- Start with
- Black + Hoodie
- Cheap additions · reuse or borrow
- Black fabric belt
Score my costume freeExplore Halloween checks & remindersLow effort · simple finishing touches
80s workout
Layer bright workout pieces and scrunch long socks above your sneakers.
- Start with
- Leggings + Sneakers
- Cheap additions · reuse or borrow
- Bright headband + Long socks as leg warmers
Score my costume freeExplore Halloween checks & remindersLow effort · simple finishing touches
Striped wanderer
Build a generic traveler from a striped top, denim and a folded map.
- Start with
- Striped top + Denim
- Cheap additions · reuse or borrow
- Plain knit hat + Paper map
Score my costume freeExplore Halloween checks & remindersMedium effort · some assembly
Scarecrow
Add loose patches to a shirt and keep decorative raffia short and away from flames.
- Start with
- Button-up shirt + Denim
- Cheap additions · reuse or borrow
- Scrap fabric patches + Raffia wrist ties
Score my costume freeExplore Halloween checks & remindersLow effort · simple finishing touches
Detective
Button up a coat and carry a tiny clue notebook.
- Start with
- Coat + Hat
- Cheap additions · reuse or borrow
- Paper notebook + Cardboard magnifying glass
Score my costume freeExplore Halloween checks & remindersLow effort · simple finishing touches
Artist
Roll up your sleeves and carry a handmade palette; no paint on your clothes needed.
- Start with
- Button-up shirt + Jeans
- Cheap additions · reuse or borrow
- Cardboard paint palette + Paper brush prop
Score my costume freeExplore Halloween checks & remindersLow effort · simple finishing touches
Chef
A white shirt and folded paper hat make a recognizable kitchen costume.
- Start with
- White + Button-up shirt
- Cheap additions · reuse or borrow
- Paper chef hat + Borrowed apron
Score my costume freeExplore Halloween checks & remindersLow effort · simple finishing touches
Tourist
Wear a relaxed shirt and hat with your most comfortable shoes.
- Start with
- Button-up shirt + Hat
- Cheap additions · reuse or borrow
- Folded paper map + Paper camera prop
Score my costume freeExplore Halloween checks & remindersLow effort · simple finishing touches
Lumberjack
Layer a shirt over a tee and wear sturdy boots; plaid works especially well.
- Start with
- Button-up shirt + Boots
- Cheap additions · reuse or borrow
- Borrowed beanie + Cardboard log prop
Score my costume freeExplore Halloween checks & remindersLow effort · simple finishing touches
Biker
Zip up a dark jacket and add a bandana and a couple of homemade patches.
- Start with
- Black + Jacket
- Cheap additions · reuse or borrow
- Bandana + Removable paper patches
Score my costume freeExplore Halloween checks & remindersLow effort · simple finishing touches
Disco dancer
Tuck a bright top into trousers and add a little lightweight shine.
- Start with
- Trousers + Plain top
- Cheap additions · reuse or borrow
- Foil belt + Paper star earrings
Score my costume freeExplore Halloween checks & remindersMedium effort · some assembly
Rain cloud
Attach a small cloud to a headband and hang paper drops from your shoulders.
- Start with
- Gray + Hoodie
- Cheap additions · reuse or borrow
- Paper raindrops + Cotton wool on a cardboard cloud
Score my costume freeExplore Halloween checks & remindersLow effort · simple finishing touches
Moon
Place a silver crescent over a dark base and add a few paper stars.
- Start with
- Black + Plain top
- Cheap additions · reuse or borrow
- Foil crescent badge + Paper stars
Score my costume freeExplore Halloween checks & remindersLow effort · simple finishing touches
Sun
A yellow top and paper rays make an easy sunshine costume.
- Start with
- Yellow + Plain top
- Cheap additions · reuse or borrow
- Paper ray headband
Score my costume freeExplore Halloween checks & remindersLow effort · simple finishing touches
Pumpkin
Add a removable jack-o-lantern face to an orange top.
- Start with
- Orange + Plain top
- Cheap additions · reuse or borrow
- Black paper face shapes + Green ribbon stem
Score my costume freeExplore Halloween checks & remindersMedium effort · some assembly
Garden gnome
Make a red pointed hat and pair sturdy boots with a simple belted top.
- Start with
- Red + Boots
- Cheap additions · reuse or borrow
- Paper cone hat + Cotton beard on a stick
Score my costume freeExplore Halloween checks & remindersLow effort · simple finishing touches
Snowperson
Layer white clothing and add three large paper buttons.
- Start with
- White + Plain top
- Cheap additions · reuse or borrow
- Black paper buttons + Orange paper nose on a stick
Score my costume freeExplore Halloween checks & remindersLow effort · simple finishing touches
Sailor
Pair stripes with white bottoms and a folded paper hat.
- Start with
- Striped top + White
- Cheap additions · reuse or borrow
- Folded paper sailor hat + Navy neck scarf
Score my costume freeExplore Halloween checks & remindersLow effort · simple finishing touches
Magician
Use a dark jacket, a bow tie and a small cardboard wand.
- Start with
- Black + Jacket
- Cheap additions · reuse or borrow
- Paper bow tie + Cardboard wand
Score my costume freeExplore Halloween checks & remindersMedium effort · some assembly
Robot
Wear a grey base with a lightweight control panel drawn on cardboard.
- Start with
- Gray + Plain top
- Cheap additions · reuse or borrow
- Cardboard control-panel badge + Foil wrist cuffs
Score my costume freeExplore Halloween checks & remindersMedium effort · some assembly
Butterfly
Paint or draw wings on cardboard and keep them narrow enough for doorways.
- Start with
- Black + Dress
- Cheap additions · reuse or borrow
- Cardboard wings + Ribbon shoulder straps
Score my costume freeExplore Halloween checks & reminders