99 Deceptively Easy Halloween Costumes for 2024
Looking for easy Halloween costume ideas? While many spend months planning and creating their Halloween look, others may take a more casual approach to the holiday, pulling together fun costumes at the very last minute for their Halloween activities. If you want to celebrate the holiday in style, you don’t necessarily need to spend a lot of money or time in advance.
What can I wear to Halloween without a costume? What Halloween costume is easy to make? We’ve rounded up a few favorites that offer great last-minute solutions that are simple to put together and easy to make on the fly. You can easily create many of these fun and terrifying Halloween costume ideas from scratch with things that you may already have at home. Others require elements readily available at costume and department stores. Many coordinate well with Halloween party ideas and Halloween date ideas that require costumes.
Jump to Section
- Cheap and Easy Halloween Costumes for Adults
- Easy Halloween Costumes for Men
- Easy Halloween Costumes for Women
- Easy Halloween Costumes for Kids
- Easy Halloween Costumes With Normal Clothes
Cheap and Easy Halloween Costumes for Adults
1. Black Cat
One of the simplest to create, this easy Halloween costume just requires some black clothing, a tail, some ears and drawn-on whiskers. To create a tail, cut down a black pair of tights and stuff with a long balloon or cotton batting. For easy ears, use paper cut-outs on a plain headband. You can also purchase an inexpensive set of ears from a costume store.
2. Witch
An easy Halloween costume classic, witches come in all varieties from silly to spooky. Don a long dress in black and add a witch hat for a simple version or get creative with your makeup to include green skin, warts and dark circles around the eyes for a fun face Halloween painting idea. Create a less scary woodland witch by dressing in green or black with tree branches and flowers woven in your hair.
3. Deer
For a cheap and easy Halloween costume, all you need for this one is brown clothing and some ears with antlers. Paint a few white spots on your face with a black nose.
4. Starry Galaxy
Any black outfit can be made starry with some glow-in-the-dark star stickers. You can also opt for stick-on crystals. Arrange them randomly or in constellations and other celestial configurations.
5. Classic Sheet Ghost
What should I wear to Halloween if I don't want to dress up? Cut a few holes in any ordinary white sheet and throw it over your regular clothes for a great last-minute Halloween costume idea.
Not only is this costume a minimum of effort, it’s easy to take on and off and requires minimal planning. You can also add fun accessories like sunglasses and hats to the finished look.
6. Bat
Use a metal hanger to create wings for an easy Halloween costume you can combine with black clothing. Bend the hangers into the shape of wings and cover them with black nylon or tights and sew them to the back of your costume. Or you can purchase larger bat wings from a costume store to complete the look.
7. Charcuterie Board
Use some twine to hang a cutting board around your neck and glue down some paper or real charcuterie items for a fun and easy Halloween costume that doesn’t require much planning. You can also use plastic food items you find in the toy aisle.
8. Paint Chip
Use a single sheet of poster board to create this easy Halloween costume Add some leftover paint to create painted segments and use some lettering to identify the shade. Add some twine to hang it over your regular clothes or an all-white outfit.
9. Medusa
For an easy Medusa costume, use long black balloons to make snakes and attach them to a headband or swimming cap. Combine the crown of snakes with a white sheet fashioned into a Greek toga-style gown.
10. Grapes
Blow up a group of purple or green balloons to turn yourself into a bunch of grapes as an easy Halloween costume for adults. Opt for all black underneath or wear an outfit in green or purple to match the balloon grapes. You can pin them onto the fabric through the tied portion with safety pins or affix the balloons with double-sided tape.
11. Rain Cloud
Combine your regular clothes with an umbrella and paper raindrops for a fun last-minute Halloween costume. Use a fishing line tied through the frame of the umbrella to dangle the raindrops. For a more luxe look, use large chandelier crystals.
12. Human Painting
Paint your face and wear a costume to reproduce the figures in famous paintings. Carry a large wooden or cardboard frame around with you to create a human masterpiece. Great ideas include Da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa” or Rembrandt’s “Girl With the Pearl Earring.”
13. Punk Rocker
Combine all black clothes with a mohawk or brightly colored hair sprayed high and 80s-style. You can also add bright and colorful makeup and touches like leather wristbands, studded belts and leather jackets.
14. Plant
Dress all in green and pin or glue faux greenery from head to toe for an easy Halloween costume for adults. You can even add a few vines or flowers to your hair or paint your skin with green face paint.
15. Spider Web Ghost
For a spookier alternative to a sheet ghost, use decorative spider webs to wrap your body over a black or all-white clothing base. You can also add some spooky details like dark eyes, hollow cheeks and black lips.
16. Tinker Bell
Wondering how to make a fairy costume out of normal clothes? This easy Halloween costume involves a green top over green tights. Make a simple skirt out of pinned and wrapped tulle fabric to complete the look. You can even add battery-operated lights sewn into the layers of tulle for a bit of glow.
17. Wednesday Addams
One of the trendiest pop-culture icons to turn into an easy Halloween costume, all you need is dark clothing with a white collar and a black hairdo or wig with braids. Combine them with black tights and oxfords.
18. Zombie Bride
A great use for white flowy gowns and thrifted wedding dresses, this easy Halloween costume just requires you to bloody the dress up a little, then add messy hair, zombie makeup details and faux blood in abundance.
19. Emoji
Cut a large circle out of a sheet of poster board and draw your favorite emoji on the front. Hang it over your neck with twine for an instant and easy Halloween costume.
20. Stranger Things Lights
String a set of battery-operated twinkle lights through small holes in an old or thrifted sweater for a call back to one of Netflix’s most popular shows.
21. Red Riding Hood
Use a red blanket or cape over a white dress for this easy Halloween costume. For props, all you need is a basket with baked goods for Grandma and the wolf.
22. Chip on the Shoulder
For a clever and easy Halloween costume, just add a bag of potato chips to your shoulder with a safety pin. This makes a great last minute Halloween costume idea you can throw together in the car on your way to the party.
Easy Halloween Costumes for Men
23. House Painter
You can use an all-white outfit covered in paint for an easy Halloween costume that you can throw together in minutes. Or wear some overalls or coveralls and add props like brushes and empty paint cans.
24. #2 Pencil
Wear a yellow shirt or sweater and create a conical hat from cardboard. Paint the very end of the cone black or gray for an instant and easy Halloween costume.
25. Mime
Combine a black and white striped shirt or black turtleneck with black pants for this easy Halloween costume. Paint your face with white and black face paint and spend the party silent and performing like a mime.
26. Monopoly Man
Don a black jacket and a fun top hat to look like everyone’s favorite board game mascot. Great accessories include oversized game pieces and lots of fake Monopoly money spilling from your pockets.
27. Mummy
While the classic version of this easy Halloween costume involves wrapping yourself in a roll of toilet paper, you can also use fabric bandages instead for a sturdier costume or white sheets ripped into longer pieces.
28. Creepy Clown
Use a pair of simple coveralls or a tuxedo to provide the lower half for a fun and creepy Halloween makeup idea. You can also add a wild wig in a vivid color.
29. Cowboy
Pull together an easy Halloween costume for men with some boots, a tall hat and a little bit of fringed details on clothing and accessories for a classic costume favorite.
30. Mario or Luigi
Pair a colorful shirt and some overalls with a black beard and hair for this Nintendo-inspired easy Halloween costume for men. You can also make an oversized mallet using some paper mache as a simple Halloween craft idea.
31. Arthur
Combine a yellow shirt, jeans, some round glasses and sneakers to recreate everyone’s favorite children’s book character for an easy Halloween costume.
32. Men in Black
Dress in a dark suit for this fun film-inspired easy Halloween costume. Combine it with a white shirt, tie, dark glasses and a briefcase full of government secrets.
33. Bill & Ted
A great pair or couple costume, you can create this easy Halloween costume with the character’s trademark look (think white tees, vests and flannels) from the time-traveling film.
34. Pac-Man Game
Wear all black and affix some paper cutouts of Pac-man, white dots and colorful ghosts for an adorable video game-inspired easy Halloween costume.
35. Vincent Van Gogh
For a fun and easy Halloween costume, place a bandaid over your ear to look like the famous and tortured artist who famously lopped one of his own off.
36. Vampire
For a classic easy Halloween costume, pair dark clothes, a cape and pasty skin with fangs and fake blood. You can opt for a more historic Dracula look or add some body glitter for a more contemporary Twilight-inspired costume.
37. Devil
The defining element of this easy Halloween costume is a set of horns, but you can combine them with a classic all-red outfit or opt for a more modern black-suited version.
38. Operation Game
For a fun spin on a classic kids’ game, stick some paper organs over your regular clothes and carry around a pair of large kitchen tongs.
39. Burglar
All you need for this easy Halloween costume is a striped black and white shirt and a black mask. For a prop, carry around a placard with your inmate number and name.
40. Soda Jerk
This vintage look combines a short-sleeved button-up shirt, a paper hat and an apron. Great props include a glass filled with a sundae or some cotton ice cream scoops.
41. Bob Ross
Fluff out your hair or wear a wild wig atop a plaid shirt and jeans for this easy Halloween costume inspired by the famous PBS artist.
42. Tourist
For a fun and easy Halloween costume, combine a loud obnoxiously patterned shirt with a pair of khakis or shorts. Great accessories include a suitcase, binoculars or a camera around your neck.
Easy Halloween Costumes for Women
43. Mary Poppins
For an easy Halloween costume based on the classic Disney character, just combine a long dark skirt with a white button-up blouse. Don’t forget her trademark suitcase and hat.
44. Raven
Combine black feathered accents, a masquerade mask and a black dress for an easy Halloween costume perfect for everything from glam soirees to answering the door for trick-or-treaters.
45. Harley Quinn
A popular costume in recent years, you can create Harley Quinn's look with a pair of pigtails with temporarily dyed ends in blue and red, a ringer tee, short shorts and a baseball bat. You can also add her signature streaming makeup look and a satin bomber jacket.
46. Taylor Swift
With many, many eras to choose from, pick your favorite and dress like the famous pop star. Great options include her classic preppy Red aesthetic, glittery dresses and cowboy boots or her more romantic-inspired looks of the Folklore era.
47. Beauty Queen
Don a thrifted or old formal dress and make a DIY sash with your desired title. You can even add a tiara and a bouquet of flowers. For a fun spooky twist, add some makeup for a zombie prom queen version.
48. Cher from Clueless
This great 90’s character makes a perfect easy Halloween costume for women. For her signature look, combine a preppy plaid yellow skirt and blazer with thigh-high socks and chunky shoes.
49. Paper Doll
For an easy Halloween costume, use large sheets of paper or poster board to cut out paper clothing pieces. Wear a black base and pin the clothes to your body. You can even create a paper mask for your face.
50. Jolene
One of music's most famous other women from the classic Dolly Parton hit, all you need for this easy Halloween costume for women is an auburn-haired wig and a name tag that says “Jolene.”
51. Marie Curie
Dress up in a Victorian-inspired look combined with scientific props and blue-radiated lips to celebrate the famous scientist's discoveries. Great props include science books and test tubes filled with glowing liquid.
52. It's Raining Men
For another easy Halloween costume inspired by a song, toy army figurines or Ken dolls with fishing lines to an umbrella or yellow rain slicker for a fun pop culture reference.
53. Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Use an old graduation gown to double as a judicial robe and add a ruffled shirt underneath and round glasses to get the look of the famous late Supreme Court justice.
54. Cruella DeVille
While you may not have the Dalmatian coat, any fur coat can help you recreate this famous Disney villainess. Wear a black and white wig and a form-fitting dress underneath. Heels, red lipstick and a cigarette holder complete the look.
55. Cat Woman
While you may not have a full vinyl catsuit in your closet, try pairing a stretchy pair of leather leggings, high boots and a black sweater or turtleneck. Add a cat-eared masquerade mask as a finishing touch.
56. Dorothy
A light blue dress and apron, along with arranging your hair in braids, is great for capturing this famous character’s signature look. Add in a basket, a tiny stuffed dog and a pair of ruby-red slippers to finish it off.
57. Wonder Woman
This famous superhero look can be recreated in red, white, blue and gold. Wear a red t-shirt and blue skirt with sewn-on stars for a simple version of the look and an easy Halloween costume.
58. Flapper
Bring back the 1920s with this easy Halloween costume. All you need is a fancy cocktail dress, a long necklace and bobbed hair or an updo to capture the decade’s glamor.
59. Evil Doll
This easy Halloween costume can be as silly or scary as you like. Pair a feminine dress with white makeup and over-exaggerated painted eyes. Draw two lines around your chin to look like doll joints.
60. Spice Girl
Dress like your favorite Spice Girl this Halloween or use this as a fun group costume. Hit the thrift store for some vintage 90s clothes and customize your makeup and hair to your chosen Spice Girl.
61. Crazy Cat Lady
Sew or pin some stuffed cats to an ordinary bathrobe to make this easy Halloween costume. Leave your hair wild and crazy and talk to people about your cats all night.
Easy Halloween Costumes for Kids
62. Barbie in Box
Dress all in pink and transform any large box into a Mattel box. Cut open the front of the box and wrap it in pink wrapping paper for an easy Halloween costume.
63. Pumpkin
For an easy Halloween costume for kids, dress your little one in orange and add felt facial features to the front of their shirt. For older kids, add some face paint or a green hat to represent the stem.
64. Bumble Bee
For a great easy Halloween costume for little ones, put them in a yellow shirt or onesie and add painted or sewn felt stripes. Combine it with adorable face paint and tiny wings.
65. Snow Globe
Use a clear umbrella to create a fun snow globe over your head. Add cotton batting around your shoulders and create a fun Christmas tree hat out of paper.
66. Raisin
For a great last-minute costume, use a wrinkled trash bag with holes cut for the head and arms. Pair it with black clothing underneath for a no-fuss easy Halloween costume.
67. Ladybug
Add black painted or felt stripes to a bright red dress or onesie for an easy Halloween costume for kids. Combine it with cute face-painted details and black wings.
68. Aquarium
All you need for this fun easy Halloween costume idea is a large plastic bowl. Use a glue gun to attach the rim to a blue t-shirt or sweater underneath and fill the bowl with fake fish and aquarium plants.
69. Alice
Wear a pale blue dress to get the look for this easy and whimsical costume idea. You can also add an apron and props like a tiny bottle, slice of cake or a stuffed white rabbit.
70. Care Bear
Turn an ordinary pair of fuzzy footie pajamas into a cute bear costume. Use felt to create a design for the front, either for an existing care bear or an entirely made-up one.
71. Ballerina
For an easy Halloween costume, combine tights and a leotard with a tulle skirt and ballet shoes for a professional dancer look.
72. Winnie the Pooh
This classic children’s book favorite is easy to recreate. Just pair a red shirt with yellow bottoms. Add a honey jar as a fun accessory.
73. Grandma
Combine a gray wig and a cardigan for this easy Halloween costume for kids. You can also incorporate glasses, a cup of tea or other grandmother-specific details.
74. Piñata
Cut strips of crepe paper into a fringe and wrap them around in colorful circles to create a cute human pinata. Add elements like ears and tails to create an animal pinata.
75. Alien
Paint some old clothes with silver paint and cover your visible skin in green makeup. You can even add some fun retro antennae to complete the costume
76. Edward Scissorhands
For a fun easy Halloween costume, dress your little one in black and messy black hair. Create fake scissors from plastic knives that attach to a glove.
77. Ghostbuster
Use coveralls or a beige shirt and pants combo to create a DIY Ghostbusters costume. Fit an ordinary backpack with hoses and fake weapons to blast ghosts.
78. Waldo
Use a red and white striped shirt or onesie for a cute easy Halloween costume for kids based on the popular book series. You will also need a pair of big round glasses with thick frames.
79. Butterfly
Turn any inexpensive pair of fairy wings into colorful beautiful butterfly wings with some acrylic paint. Pair them with antennae, face paint and black clothes underneath for an adorable easy Halloween costume.
80. Jelly Bellies
Use a large clear plastic bag and fill it with small balloons in multiple colors. Add a cardboard label with the candy brand’s label and hang it around your neck for a sweet treat and easy Halloween costume.
81. Glow-in-the-Dark-Skeleton
Take any old black clothes and use glow-in-the-dark paint to add bones along the torso, arms and legs for an easy skeleton idea that will light up in the dark. Combine it with a scary skeleton mask or face paint.
Easy Halloween Costumes With Normal Clothes
82. Candy Corn
For a fun easy Halloween costume that allows you to wear your regular clothes, combine yellow white and orange shades for an ombre effect that mimics this classic fall candy.
83. Rosie the Riveter
For this easy Halloween costume, just wear a chambray or denim work shirt rolled to the elbow and a red bandana with your hair tied up.
84. Scarecrow
Overalls, if you have them in your closet, are great for creating a rustic scarecrow look. Pair them with a plaid or flannel shirt and add some cute face paint and a straw hat.
85. Sailor
Put together an outfit using navy, red and white for a cute nautical look that you can style any way you like for an easy Halloween costume with normal clothes.
86. Lucille Ball
Turn any retro-style dress into a fun Lucy costume by combining it with an updo, 1950s makeup and heels.
87. Hippie
Pair a long flowy skirt with lots of beads, long hair parted in the middle, tiny round sunglasses and fringed details from the Summer of Love.
88. Camp Counselor
This easy Halloween costume requires only some shorts, a fun camp tee, sneakers, a clipboard and a whistle for keeping campers in line. Make it a horror movie camp counselor by adding a few smears of fake blood.
89. Breakfast Club
Pick your favorite character from this classic 1980s movie and dress the part. This easy Halloween costume idea is great if you have elements like old team jackets, denim jackets, flannels or Molly Ringwad’s signature pinks already in your wardrobe.
90. M&Ms
Turn any colorful sweater or sweatshirt into a candy-coated treat by adding some felt letter Ms to the front with fabric glue or thread for a quick and easy Halloween costume. This also makes a great group costume with each person in a different color.
91. Pirate
Pair a white shirt, leggings and boots with an eye patch and a fake sword to create this easy Halloween costume using your normal clothes.
92. Scooby Doo
Choose your favorite cartoon mystery solver and create their look with clothes already in your closet. Go for an all-purple look for Daphne, Green for Shaggy and orange for Velma.
93. Clue Suspect
Use your own clothes to create costumes based around the suspects in the classic board game, Clue. Miss Scarlet, Professor Plum and Colonel Mustard are all great options.
94. Wayne or Garth
These 90’s pop culture comedy fissures make great costumes that you can build from your own wardrobe. Use band tees, trucker hats, jeans and flannels to get their signature look.
95. Holly Golightly
Turn any black shift dress into Hepburn’s chic Holly Golightly signature look. Just put up your hair and add a small tiara and pearl necklace.
96. Scream Queen
Dress like a famous final girl, villain or victim from slasher movies. Pair an oxford shirt with jeans for Jamie Lee Curtis’ classic Halloween look or opt for Carrie’s pink dress covered in fake blood.
97. Regina George
For a Mean Girls fashion statement, cut holes in the chest of any white tank top in honor of one of the most famous scenes from the film.
98. 1950s Pin-Up Girl
Pair a pencil skirt with a button-up or sweater for a cute retro look that is straight from the mid-century. Add fun details like kitten heels and cat eyeglasses to complete the costume.
99. Pineapple
For a whimsical and easy Halloween costume, pair a yellow dress, tee or sweater with a cute green paper hat that looks like the top of this fun tropical fruit.
These easy Halloween costumes are perfect for everything from swanky Halloween masquerades to answering the door for handing out treats.
For even more fun Halloween ideas, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!
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