14 Last-Minute Halloween Costumes You Can Pull From Your Closet
Fourteen costumes that come together in five to thirty minutes from everyday clothes, tape, paper and a marker.
The invitation said costumes, and the party starts in an hour. Good news: the best last minute Halloween costumes are built from things already in your closet, and a clear idea matters far more than money or time. Here are fourteen easy options, sorted by how long they take, with what to wear, how to put it together and a tip for each.
Five minutes
- Where's Waldo. A red-and-white striped top, jeans, round glasses and a knit hat with a pom-pom. No striped top? Tape red stripes across a white T-shirt with electrical tape. Tip: carry a walking stick or an umbrella; Waldo always has one.
- Referee. A black-and-white striped shirt or a black shirt with white tape stripes, black pants and a whistle. Tip: cut a yellow "penalty flag" from a dish towel and throw it at anyone in a bad costume.
- Error 404: costume not found. Any plain T-shirt with "Error 404: Costume Not Found" written in marker or printed on paper and pinned on. Tip: it is the most honest costume in the room, so wear it with confidence.
- Sleepwalker. Pajamas, a sleep mask pushed up on your forehead, slippers and a teddy bear. Tip: walk with your arms out for the first five minutes and everyone will get it.
- Bookworm. Green clothes, glasses and an armful of books, with a green sock puppet peeking from the top book. Tip: pick books with bright covers so the joke reads in photos.
Fifteen minutes
- Marathon runner. Running shorts or leggings, a tank top and sneakers, plus a paper race bib with a big number pinned to the front. Tip: hang a homemade foil medal around your neck and say you just finished.
- Cowboy or cowgirl. Jeans, a plaid shirt, boots, a bandana around the neck and any wide-brimmed hat. Tip: a paper sheriff's star cut from cardboard and covered in foil upgrades it in two minutes.
- Happy camper. Flannel shirt, hiking boots, a backpack and a sign that says "Happy Camper", or a stick with a marshmallow made from a cotton ball. Tip: a headlamp completes it and helps you see on the walk home.
- Rock star. Black jeans, a dark T-shirt, a jacket, sunglasses and messy hair. Draw on a few temporary tattoos with eyeliner or skin-safe markers. Tip: a cardboard guitar or a hairbrush microphone tells the story.
- Chef. A white shirt, an apron and a tall paper hat made from a strip of poster board and a white tissue-paper top. Tip: a wooden spoon in the apron pocket is enough of a prop.
Thirty minutes
- Zombie. An old shirt and jeans you can sacrifice: scuff them with sandpaper, cut a few holes and rub in dirt or coffee grounds. Add pale makeup with gray shadows under the eyes. Tip: a little petroleum jelly on the skin makes zombie makeup easier to remove.
- Cartoon burglar. A black-and-white striped top, black pants, a black beanie and a felt eye mask with large eyeholes. Carry a pillowcase with a dollar sign painted on it. Tip: keep it cartoonish and leave the props at home if you are going to a work event.
- Construction worker. Jeans, boots, a plaid shirt, a reflective safety vest if you have one, and a yellow hard hat or a yellow cap. Tip: the reflective vest makes this one of the safest costumes for walking around after dark.
- Lifeguard. A red T-shirt with "Lifeguard" taped on in white, shorts, sunglasses and a whistle. Cut a red flotation tube from a foam pool noodle or poster board. Tip: a dab of white sunscreen-style makeup on the nose finishes the look.
The five-minute costume kit
Keep these in a box and you will never panic in late October again:
- Black, white and red electrical tape for stripes, letters and outlines
- A marker, safety pins and a pad of paper for signs and labels
- Felt sheets in black, white and brown for ears, spots and patches
- A plain headband, for ears or antennae
- Eyeliner and a little face paint for whiskers, noses and freckles
- One hat that changes your silhouette, such as a knit beanie or a straw hat
How to make a quick costume look intentional
A rushed costume looks rushed when it is half done. Commit to one strong color, add one prop that tells the story, and change your hair or hat. If you have an evening rather than an hour, our easy DIY Halloween costumes go a step further with cardboard and craft supplies. For more closet-based looks, see our last-minute costumes for women, and for the whole crew, our group costume ideas.
If kids are heading out to trick-or-treat in a dark costume, add reflective tape to the front and back and send them with a flashlight.
Questions
What is the fastest Halloween costume?
A pun or a sign costume, such as "Error 404" or a bookworm. Each takes five minutes with a marker and clothes you own.
Can I make a costume with no supplies at all?
Yes. Pajamas and a teddy bear make a sleepwalker, and jeans, boots and a plaid shirt make a cowboy or cowgirl.
How do I avoid a costume that looks lazy?
Pick one idea and commit to it: one color, one prop and a change to your hair or hat.
What last-minute costume works for kids?
The construction worker, marathon runner or happy camper. They are comfortable, mask-free and easy to make visible with a reflective vest or tape.
