Easy Last-Minute Halloween Costumes You can DIY
Halloween has always been one of my favorite holidays—it’s the perfect mix of candy, creativity, and costumes. As a kid, I lived for the candy (candy corn forever—even if it’s controversial). As I got older, it became all about the costumes. Over the years, I’ve been everything from Daphne from Scooby Doo with friends, to a pirate’s wench with Ramesh as my swashbuckler, and even Octomom one year (yes, really!).
This year in Sweden, I’m putting together something last-minute, which got me thinking—sometimes the best costumes are the easiest. No stress, no hours of sewing, just a few clever pieces you can pull from your closet or thrift store. Below are 17 DIY costume ideas inspired by movies, TV, and Halloween classics you can throw together in no time.
🎬 Wes Anderson-Inspired Characters
Margot Tenenbaum (The Royal Tenenbaums): Faux fur coat, polo dress, loafers, barrette, gloves, and smudgy eyeliner.
Mrs. Fox (Fantastic Mr. Fox): Yellow dress, fur gloves, fox mask or makeup.
Juliette (The French Dispatch): Plaid skirt, tights, boots, leather jacket, and a helmet with goggles.
Suzy (Moonrise Kingdom): Short collared dress, knee socks, wicker bag, and binoculars.
Agatha (The Grand Budapest Hotel): Peach or tan dress with apron, a penciled-in birthmark, flour-dusted hands, and a pink pastry box.
🐇 Alice in Wonderland Crew
Alice: Light blue dress, apron, tights, and a black headband.
Mad Hatter: Mismatched colorful clothes, wig, top hat, and a teacup prop.
White Rabbit: Bunny ears, large clock necklace, striped tights.
Cheshire Cat: Striped outfit, tutu, cat ears, and a wide grin mask.
Queen of Hearts: Crown, cape, funky tights, red-and-black details, and bold hair.
🕸️ Halloween Classics
Wednesday Addams: Black dress with a white collar, braided hair, pale makeup. Bonus points for a “Thing” hand prop.
Bride of Frankenstein: White dress or sheet wrap, teased black hair with white streaks, pale green makeup, and bold red lips.
Lily Munster: Gothic lavender dress, pale green makeup, black wig with streaks.
🌪️ Wizard of Oz Favorites
Dorothy: Blue dress, apron, red shoes (sneakers or Converse work too), braids, and Toto in a basket.
Scarecrow: Neutral or denim clothing with hay tucked into cuffs, plus a floppy hat.
Tin Woman: Anything sparkly silver, add a red heart detail, and top it off with a funnel hat.
Cowardly Lion: Brown outfit, fur or fuzzy accents, ears headband, and whisker makeup.
Why DIY Costumes Work
The beauty of DIY Halloween costumes is that they’re budget-friendly, customizable, and fun to put together. You don’t need a perfect replica—just a few iconic pieces that make the character instantly recognizable. Add makeup or a quirky prop, and you’ve nailed it.
With these easy ideas, you can step into Halloween stress-free and still feel like the best-dressed ghoul (or Wes Anderson character) in the room.
👻 What are your Halloween costume plans this year? I’d love to hear your ideas in the comments!
