Halloween is a week away and I have absolutely nothing planned, so if you’re in the same boat, you’re in good company! I’m always the girl panicking the night before, so I made this list for us: classic costumes you can throw together with whatever’s in your closet, your kitchen drawers and that cupboard under the stairs. An outfit that can be throw together quickly I promise!
Starting with the one everyone has the supplies for…
1. Ghost
One old bed sheet and a pair of scissors. Cut two eye holes, drape it over your head, and you’re done. It’s a classic for a reason, and a lace or patterned sheet makes it look a little more vintage.
2. Witch
A black dress or black top and skirt, tights, and a pointy hat made from rolled black card or paper. Add a broom from the cupboard and messy hair, and you’re ready. Dark lipstick takes it from basic to cool.
3. Black Cat
All black clothes, a headband with felt or card ears, and eyeliner for the nose and whiskers. You can tie a bit of black fabric or an old scarf on the back for a tail. Easy, comfy, and a little bit mysterious.
4. Vampire
Black outfit, a cape (a dark blanket or curtain works!), ornate accessories and deep red lipstick. Draw two little fang marks on your neck with eyeliner and a touch of red. Pale foundation makes the whole look.
5. Mime
A black and white striped top, black shorts or a skirt, red neck tie, and a red beret. Dust your face with white powder or foundation, draw on dramatic eye makeup with eyeliner, and add a tiny black tear or heart on your cheek. White gloves finish it, or pull a pair of white socks over your hands. Stay silent all night and get trapped in an invisible box whenever someone asks who you are!
6. Scarecrow
A flannel shirt, jeans with patches (felt or fabric squares!), a hat, and optionally some straw or yarn poking out of the sleeves. Draw stitches on your cheeks and a little triangle nose with eyeliner. It’s cosy, and it holds up all night.
7. Pirate
A white blouse, a bandanna, a belt, and an eyepatch made from black card and string. Tuck your trousers into boots and add some gold jewelry. To elevate this even more, accessories are KEY! Anything shiny counts as treasure!
8. Cowgirl
Jeans, a plaid shirt tied at the waist, boots, a bandanna around your neck, and a hat if you have one. Wear a belt with the biggest buckle you can find. It’s the most comfortable costume on the list.
9. Devil
All red (or all black with red accents), a headband with little horns cut from red card, and a tail made from a twisted red scarf. Add a pitchfork made from a fork taped to a stick if you’re feeling dramatic. Winged eyeliner is the finishing touch.
10. Angel
A white dress or white top and trousers, a halo made from a bent coat hanger or tinsel wrapped around a headband, and some wings cut from cardboard and covered in white paper. A little glitter on your cheeks and you’re glowing. Pair it with a friend’s devil for the perfect duo!
11. Skeleton
Black clothes, a cut up white t-shirt (or white tape or white paint for the bones on your ribs), and some face paint for a skull. If you don’t have paint, eyeliner works in a pinch. It looks so cool in the dark!
12. Bat
All black clothes and a pair of wings made from an old black umbrella or cardboard covered in fabric. Add black ears on a headband and dark lips. Spread your arms and you’re flying.
Looking for more costume ideas? Try this blog post!
13. Ballerina
A leotard or fitted top, a tutu or tulle skirt, tights, and a bun. If you don’t have a tutu, layer a few light skirts or tie strips of tulle onto a belt. Want it spookier? Smudge the eye makeup for a dark, moody twist.
14. 70s Hippie
Flares or a long skirt, a loose floral top, a headband, flowers in your hair, and as many beads as you own. Draw a peace sign or a little daisy on your cheek with eyeliner. It’s effortless, and it always looks cool.
15. Rosie the Riveter
A denim or chambray shirt with the sleeves rolled up, a red polka dot bandanna tied in your hair, and a flexed arm. Add a sign that says “We Can Do It!” if you want everyone to get it. Strong, simple and iconic.
16. Flapper
A sparkly or fringed dress, a long necklace of pearls, a headband with a feather, and a bold red lip. Wear some gloves if you have them, and carry a long cigarette holder made from a rolled-up piece of paper. Cue the Charleston!
17. 50s Inspired
A white t-shirt with the sleeves rolled, jeans, a leather jacket, and a milkshake in hand. Add a comb in your back pocket and some attitude. It’s all about looking effortlessly cool.
18. Crayon
Wear one solid color from head to toe and make a pointy hat out of matching card. Write the color name on a paper label wrapped around your middle (it’s a good one for a group, too!).
19. Bumblebee
A yellow top with black tape in stripes around it, black tights or trousers, and a headband with pipe cleaner antennae. Make wings from tights stretched over coat hangers. Buzz your way through the night!
20. Ladybug
A red top or dress, black circles made from felt or tape stuck on, and a black headband with antennae. If you have a red umbrella, you’ve got instant wings. It’s sweet, simple and always a hit.
21. Dalmatian
Most people have polka dots lying around – if not a white top and skirt with black paper or felt spots stuck on will do the trick, a headband with floppy black ears, and a nose and whiskers drawn on with eyeliner. Add a collar made from a red ribbon. Cute, easy and good for last minute!
22. Referee
A black and white striped top (or black tape on a plain white shirt), black skirt or shorts, a whistle, and a red and yellow card made from paper. Blow the whistle whenever someone is being too much. It’s a very satisfying costume.
23. Tourist
The loudest Hawaiian shirt or I <3 *City Name* shirt you have, sunglasses, a camera or phone around your neck, a bumbag, a map and a visor. Take photos of everything and ask everyone where the nearest toilet is. You’re committed to the bit!
24. Detective
A trench coat or long coat, a hat, a notebook, and a magnifying glass (the lens from an old pair of glasses works). Examine everyone and everything suspiciously. It’s a very classic look that never goes out of style.
Last But Not Least…
25. Clown
The ultimate fall back! A black top, a paper cone hat with black pom-poms, and ruffled tulle or lace at your neck and wrists. Wear mismatched diamond and striped tights (a black marker on plain white ones works), plus black Mary Janes. Add eyeliner triangles above your eyes and rosy blush dots on your cheeks, and you’re done!
That concludes my top 25 last-minute picks for Halloween costumes for 2026, all from things you already own. If you still can’t choose, pick the one that makes you laugh the most and go for it. Happy Halloween, everyone!
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