Last-Minute Halloween Shopping? Try These Budget DIY Costumes

Halloween is the most anticipated holiday of the year — at least for me. I started decorating in September. 

Yet somehow, Halloween has managed to get wrapped up in the season of overconsumption. I’m not trying to be a Halloween Scrooge, but I can’t stand the pressure of buying giant bags of candy and spending money on a trendy prepackaged costume you’ll only wear for one night. 

Half the fun of Halloween is putting your creativity to the test. You can bring your favorite characters to life through do-it-yourself and other thrifty means. It’s a tradition that should be affordable. 

Social media is jumping on the “anti-spend” bandwagon this Halloween, with influencers like Krystalynn Gier (@krystslynngier) sharing tips about how she plans not to spend a dime. 

There’s no shame in buying a costume from the store. But if you’re trying to cut back and save some money this Halloween like I am, try shopping your closet first. 

Tips for a no-spend Halloween

👯‍♀️ Do a costume swap with friends

A costume swap is a great way to pass along Halloween outfits, wigs and decorations you’ve outgrown or have no use for. This is not only cost-effective but also a green alternative to purchasing something new. Plan a night for your friends to get together so you can repurpose costumes and supplies from previous years. 

🔎 Can’t find an item at home? Try the thrift store

If you’re looking for a specific item or need inspiration for a costume, check out a local thrift or secondhand store. I have the best luck finding basics this way. Thrift stores also typically feature trendy items for the season, so you might find items specific to Halloween. 

🧵 Get crafty

If you’re gifted with a sewing machine, try making your costume. You could also craft your costume with household items you have lying around. You’d be surprised at how much you can build using cardboard, tinfoil, paper plates or that leftover cardboard tube from the middle of a toilet paper roll. And speaking of TP… toilet paper mummy, anyone? 

🧛🏽‍♀️ Consider your favorite character

You can often dress up as your favorite character using what you already have at home. And you don’t have to go for something as elaborate as Edward Scissorhands. Think Carmy from The Bear (white shirt, blue apron) or Janine from Abbott Elementary (teacher-chic dress and belt). 

👗 Reuse an old costume

Keep your funny outfits, wigs, masks, random party finds and elaborate decorations in a box, because you never know when they’ll come in handy for a future Halloween costume. If, however, you need to clean out your closet, make sure you donate the items and clothes to a local thrift store, school or charity. 

8 characters to inspire your Halloween costume

If you’re scrambling to find an innovative costume this Halloween, think about your favorite TV or movie character. The truth is, characters are easy to bring to life on a Halloween budget because they don’t require too much beyond an outfit and some makeup. Besides, who has a random M&M costume lying around? 

Below, I’ve gathered a few ideas for character costumes from my CNET colleagues, my friends and my personal archives. Take a look; they might inspire you this Halloween. 

1. Abbi and Ilana from Broad City

It was almost impossible to pick my favorite scene from Broad City to reenact with my friend for Halloween, so we went with the most iconic looks. Abbi, played by Abbi Abrams, is well known for her love of Bed, Bath and Beyond and her hatred for Soulstice (the fictional gym she works at in Williamsburg), so her look was easy. 

I made Abbi’s work shirt by ironing letters from a fabric store onto a black T-shirt I had in my closet. I found the Bed, Bath and Beyond bag at Goodwill in a drop-off bin for donations. I begged an employee to sell it to me, and they gave it to me for free. Ka-ching!

My friend Alaina put together a simple outfit for Ilana: a white shirt and jeans with a bike chain around her waist. If you’re familiar with the show (specifically season 3), you know why the bike chain was essential to the look.

2. Ally Sheedy from The Breakfast Club

If you’re a fan of John Hughes or ’80s movies, you’re familiar with The Breakfast Club. CNET editor Kelly Ernst dressed up as Ally Sheedy, aka “the basket case,” with an entirely thrifted ensemble. From the scarf to the scrunched-up socks and sneakers, Ernst looks just like Sheedy when she’s stuck at Shermer High School’s Saturday detention. All you need for this look is a black sweater, long skirt, white socks, sneakers and a blue scarf. 

3. Scooby gang 

The beloved animated mystery series Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! is the basis for a fun group costume idea that’s simple to assemble. Nearly everything my friends and I are wearing — from Velma’s orange knee-high socks to Fred’s red tie to Daphne’s green scarf — came from the thrift store. I still have my Velma costume, because I can use it if I need a last-minute costume for an event. 

4. Voldemort 

Harry Potter’s nemesis, Lord Voldemort, is a fun one to master with a smug mug, black robe, pale makeup and a stick from outside that doubles as a wand. Bonus points if you have a bald cap hanging around, as my friend Alyse did for this costume. But if you don’t, slick your hair back with whatever gel you have handy and take chalk or white powder and sprinkle it on your hair for a lightened effect. 

5. Glinda from the Wizard of Oz

It’s not easy to perfect the Good Witch of the North unless you have the perfect pink gown lying around, like my friend Jenna did for this costume. However, odds are that you or someone you know has a dress that was worn once for a wedding or special event that would be perfect for any princess or witch costume. You can also pick up a crown from almost any discount store for just a few bucks. Don’t forget to keep the crown after Halloween, because you never know when you might need to wear it again for another costume.

6. The Girl With the Green Ribbon 

No costume is too niche for Halloween. Ernst put together the perfect outfit for the “girl with the green ribbon” from In a Dark, Dark Room and Other Scary Stories. If you’re familiar with the collection of horror stories by Alvin Schwartz, you know the symbolism behind the green ribbon, but no spoilers here. All you need for this costume is a white cardigan, white dress, tights and a green satin ribbon. 

7. Susie Myerson from The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel 

Susie Myerson is one of my favorite characters on television, and it’s not just because I love Alex Borstein (the actress behind the character). Borstein contrasts the elegance of her on-screen co-star Rachel Brosnahan with her newsboy cap, T-shirt, suspenders and slacks. But you can’t forget to throw the key to the Gaslight Café (the coffeehouse Susie works at in the show) around your neck before going out.  

I had almost everything I needed for this costume except for the newsboy cap and suspenders, which I snagged from Buffalo Exchange, a resale shop that buys and sells used fashion. Take any house key and throw it on a chain you have hanging around. Just don’t lose it! 

8. Frozone from The Incredibles

My friend Samid dressed up as a scene from Pixar’s The Incredibles when Frozone, voiced by Samuel L. Jackson, is looking for his “super suit.” If you’re familiar with the animated movie, you know the one. Samid nailed the scene with Frozone’s simple blue sweater, sunglasses and black jeans — all items Samid already had in his closet, but you could easily snag any of these items at a local thrift store.