Because Halloween doesn’t have to be complicated (or expensive).
Anyone can be Little Miss Sunshine or Raining Cats and Dogs with a little elbow grease.
Click through these smart DIY costume ideas (and their how-to guides) for inspiration and instructions.
Photo: Glenn Glasser
This DIY uses a carefully made shark mask.
With this on your head, all you have to wear is gray clothing for a top-notch costume.
You’ll need a long sleeve shirt, leggings, and plenty of cotton balls to complete the disguise.
Philip Friedman
If you already have a leather jacket, you’re halfway there.
Just find goggles and a white scarf, and you’re ready for takeoff.
Avocado Toast
The most popular brunch item can also be the best DIY costume.
Glenn Glasser; Styling: Kristine Trevino
Pig in a Blanket
Hands down, the hit of the Halloween party season.
Start by decking out your little one or yourself in pink, head to toe.
Add felt ears and a bottle cap/button nose.
Glenn Glasser; Styling: Kristine Trevino
Little Miss Sunshine
The ballots are in: This ray of sunshine wins the crown.
Dress your shining star in all yellow and then make the sash and crown from a few everyday staples.
Raining Cats and Dogs
Uh-oh: Watch out forpoodles!
Kate Lacey; Styling: Kristine Trevino
Pull out a rain slicker and Wellies and a few stuffed furry friends for a clever conceptual costume.
Strawberry
Think strawberry season is long gone?
This unique costume is just perfect for Halloween and is one of the easiest DIY costumes to make.
Kate Lacey; Styling: Kristine Trevino
Queen Peacock
This may be the most vivid, eye-catching DIY costume yet.
Make it a full DIY costume with a dramatic black or white dress or simple shirt.
Spelling Bee
Wondering what all the buzz is about?
Glenn Glasser; Styling: Kristine Trevino
Cue the cutest bee on the block.
This DIY costume starts with a basic black leotard or bodysuit and matching opaque tights.
Dress up the leotard with yellow tape and adhesive letters.
Kate Lacey; Styling: Kristine Trevino
For the wings, you’ll need to hit the recycling bin and your closet.
Astronaut
Prepare to blast off into the streets!
Superhero
Is it a bird?
Glenn Glasser; Styling: Kristine Trevino
Is it a plane?
It’s more like a super-easy-to-pull-together DIY costume that calls for a brave (and adorable) hero.
Make this costume in a flash with supplies from the junk drawer and linen closet.
Glenn Glasser; Styling: Kristine Trevino
Turn this into agroup Halloween costumeby making every member of the group a superhero for the night.
Detective
Pulling together this simple super sleuth’s disguise will seem elementary.
Start with a blue jumper or jumpsuit and add a little embellishment for an ornatebut easyDIY Halloween costume.
Glenn Glasser; Styling: Kristine Trevino
Pot of Gold Under the Rainbow
Feeling lucky?
This DIY Halloween costume has a tongue-in-cheek twist.
It’s designed for pregnant women, but anyone can pull off this cheerful, funny look.
Glenn Glasser; Styling: Kristine Trevino
Rainbow Fish
One fish, two fish, red fish, rainbow fish!
This colorful DIY costume is so easy to make.
Start with a red base layera sweatshirt and either pants or leggingsand add a rainbow of shades.
Glenn Glasser; Styling: Kristine Trevino
Cat Out of the Bag
Get idiomatic this Halloween with a clever play on words.
Safari Guide
Lions, tigers, giraffes, oh, my!
If you have them, a green or khaki vest and binoculars finish the look.
Kate Lacey; Styling: Kristine Trevino
Grab a stuffed animal to bring with you, and your on-safari look is complete.
Stick with our DIY instructions, or swap in different colors for your own favorite flavors.
Spice Girls
Dress up as theotherspice girls with this hilarious DIY costume.
Philip Friedman
Making the costume is easyall you need is a good-humored buddy to get in on the joke with you.
Solar System
Be the center of the universe on October 31 with this clever, simple DIY.
Don’t forget to add wings by fashioning them out of tights and a wire hanger.
Glenn Glasser; Styling: Kristine Trevino
Pair the outfit with fun tights and a headband attached with even more hearts.
Unicorn
Who hasn’t dreamed of being a unicorn one Halloween?
Flower
Dress in green leggings and a long-sleeved T-shirt.
Glenn Glasser; Styling: Kristine Trevino
Cut out petal shapes from the felt and glue pipe cleaners to the underside of the petals.
Add in some accessories like a watering can (which can also double as a Halloween treat bag).
Young and grown-up Anne fans alike can dress up as her, thanks to this easy DIY.
Kate Lacey; Styling: Kristine Trevino
Sea Monster
Show off your wild side in this clever and colorful costume.
Just wear the clothes, or take your DIY Halloween costume to the next level with some simple crafting.
Pull the disguise together with felt, Styrofoam balls, a sweatshirt, sweatpants, and plastic glasses.
Glenn Glasser; Styling: Kristine Trevino
When it’s time for trick-or-treating, take a favorite book or two along to complete the costume.
Owl
Whoooneeds a last-minute costume idea?
Finish it off with goggles, a lab coat, and the right gummy concoction.
Glenn Glasser; Styling: Kristine Trevino
If you happen to have goggles and a lab coat, your costume is ready to go.
If not, try this DIY guide to make your own.
Mother of Pearl
Own your baby bump this Halloween with this subtle, playful costume idea.
Glenn Glasser; Styling: Kristine Trevino
Monarch Butterfly
This DIY Halloween costume starts easily enough: Dress in all black.
To create the wings, you’ll need hangers, black trash bags, and colorful tape.
Saturn
A DIY costume idea that’sc’mon, wehaveto say itout-of-this-world.
Glenn Glasser; Styling: Kristine Trevino
Layer on a bright sweatshirt that you’ve painted with Saturn-like bands.
(Warning: Walking in flippers will definitely cut into trick-or-treat time.)
The protective goggles come straight from the toolbox, and the oxygen tank is made from spray-painted water bottles.
Glenn Glasser; Styling: Kristine Trevino
Go from zero to race-ready in a jiffy by decorating an everyday tracksuit with a few strips of tape.
Don’t forget to add accessories like a matching hat, trophy, and checkered flag.
(Race car and pit crew optional.)
Kate Lacey; Stylist: Kristine Trevino
Drummer
Beat it, kida drum, that is.
The only thing you’ll need to make is the fishing pole.
Angel
This DIY angel costume comes together practically on the fly.
Glenn Glasser; Styling: Kristine Trevino
Dress all in whitea favorite dress or oversized shirt, tights, and comfy shoes.
For the halo and wings, you’ll need pipe cleaners, cardboard, and coffee filters.
LEGO Person
This might be the most recognizable pop culture DIY costume out there.
Kate Lacey; Styling: Kristine Trevino
Tips for Choosing (and Rocking) a DIY Costume
Ready to get your craft on?
Try these tips to ensure your DIY costume is a smash it.
Narrow down your options.
Philip Friedman
Some questions that can help you narrow it down:
Think about the time commitment.
Look at your budget.
See what’s in your closet (or even your kitchen or bathroom!)
Kate Lacey; Styling: Kristine Trevino
that can be repurposed for your costume, and look for ways to minimize the damage to them.
And don’t forget to crowdsource!
Consider your skillset.
Glenn Glasser; Styling: Kristine Trevino
You’ll want to choose something that won’t be too tough for you to pull off.
Kate Lacey; Styling: Kristine Trevino
Kate Lacey; Stylist: Kristine Trevino
Glenn Glasser; Styling: Kristine Trevino
Nicole Hill Gerulat; Styling: Elizabeth MacLennan
Kate Lacey; Styling: Kristine Trevino
Kate Lacey; Styling: Kristine Trevino
Kate Lacey; Styling: Kristine Trevino
Glenn Glasser; Styling: Elizabeth MacLennan
Kate Lacey; Styling: Kristine Trevino
Glenn Glasser; Styling: Kristine Trevino
Glenn Glasser; Styling: Kristine Trevino
Glenn Glasser; Styling: Kristine Trevino
Kate Lacey; Styling: Kristine Trevino
Glenn Glasser; Styling: Kristine Trevino
Glenn Glasser; Styling: Kristine Trevino
Kate Lacey; Styling: Kristine Trevino
Kate Lacey; Styling: Kristine Trevino
Kate Lacey; Styling: Kristine Trevino
Glenn Glasser; Styling: Kristine Trevino
Glenn Glasser; Styling: Kristine Trevino
Glenn Glasser; Styling: Elizabeth MacLennan
Glenn Glasser; Styling: Elizabeth MacLennan
Glenn Glasser; Styling: Kristine Trevino
Kate Lacey; Styling: Kristine Trevino
Glenn Glasser; Styling: Kristine Trevino
Glenn Glasser; Styling: Kristine Trevino
Kate Lacey; Styling: Kristine Trevino
Glenn Glasser; Styling: Kristine Trevino
Glenn Glasser; Styling: Kristine Trevino
Glenn Glasser; Styling: Kristine Trevino
Nicole Hill Gerulat; Styling: Elizabeth MacLennan
Glenn Glasser; Styling: Kristine Trevino
Glenn Glasser; Styling: Kristine Trevino
Philip Friedman
