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Halloween just sneaks up on us, doesn’t it? Somewhere during your workday or your daily commute or in the middle of a conversation with a friend, you’ll think to yourself, “Oh crap, I don’t have anything to wear! What can I use as a last-minute Halloween costume?”
And even though Halloween is hands-down the very best celebration of the year — don’t you argue! — it can be hard to plan for. Luckily, we’ve got some great buzzer-beater, last-minute Halloween costume ideas for you.
You don’t have to break the bank to create a thoughtful, not-crappy Halloween costume. Actually, it’s probably easier (and so much more unique!) to DIY your costume with a little creativity and elbow grease.
So, whether you want to be extra lazy (don’t worry, we’ve ALL been there) or just a little less lazy (by combining something from your closet with a last-minute Amazon Prime rush item), we’ve got you covered. So, get ready to get your last-minute party on!
Here are some options for spooky and not-so-spooky last-minute Halloween costumes, depending on how much you want to frighten your fellow partiers!
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This one is pretty rad because you can do it as a couple — making it into an “old married couple” duo costume — or you can do it on your own.
You’ll need a bathrobe, some cozy PJs, and maybe some brown eyeliner to draw extra wrinkles all over your face. Extra points if you wander around the party talking about “the good old days.”
You can also grab a mug of morning coffee, or throw a bottle of prescription pills into your top pocket for extra elderly authenticity.
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If you’re a David Bowie fan, this costume provides an amazing way to pay tribute to his legacy while also rocking one of the coolest costumed looks out there.
Use face paint for the iconic lightening strike. Pair it with a striped bodysuit (or anything rock-star-looking, really, like a silver jumpsuit or a onesie) and people will instantly recognize you. Don’t forget the red hairspray or wig, too!
No idea how to make that makeup work? You’re not alone. Here’s a rad Ziggy Stardust makeup tutorial that ought to help you figure it out. Just make sure you’ve got bright colors on-hand. He rocked reddish-orange and blue in his infamous facial stripe.
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These costumes are pretty simple – and most of us have them in our closet right now. All you need is a crisp white shirt and a black bob wig to dress as Mia Wallace. If you’re planning on dressing as Vincent Vega, be sure to get a bolo tie.
Going as Mia? It can’t hurt to smoothe on some intense red lipstick and carry a cigarette (fake, of course) around with you. The cigarette is, like, 80 percent of the look.
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This is going to require side ponytails, neon clothing, a fanny pack, and leg warmers. Bonus points if you can apply some blue eyeshadow and hot pink lipstick.
The’80s were a time when fashion was, er, questionable.
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Luckily, the ’90s are probably an easier look to pull off, since we’re all wearing mom jeans again anyways. Make sure to pair your high-waisted denim mom jeans with even more denim here, like a jean jacket.
Pair this look with classic ’90s makeup — deep shades of red and brown eyeshadows, brown lip liner, and a big hair-do.
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This is easier than it seems: Grab an old pair of bell-bottoms, part your hair in the middle, wrap some sort of scarf around your forehead, like this tye-dye one, crop your top, and pile on the beaded and braided bracelets.
Of course, if you would never, ever own a pair of bell-bottoms (and we can see why not), Amazon has got you covered with all sorts of flower power goodness.
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Find a blue striped dress. Cover it with a brown fur coat. Pop a blonde bob wig on (with a lone red barrette on one side in your bangs), rim your eyes in thick black eyeliner, and you’re all set.
Lastly, if you’re thinking of going as Margot Tenenbaum, you’ve got to be prepared to wear a sullen face for the majority of your evening. Cool?
You could, of course, wear Chas Tenenbaum’s iconic tracksuit or Richie Tenenbaum’s suit, aviator sunglasses, striped polo shirt, and a sweatband.
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You’re gonna need a lab coat, some plastic gloves, a beaker, and huge, electrocuted hair (see below).
You want big, big, messy hair. Bonus points if you spray-paint it grey — but hey, scientists of any age can go mad, right?
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The best part of this costume? Literally everyone will understand what you are! All you need is a crappy old white tee-shirt and a sharpie — et voila! Last-minute costume achievement unlocked.
You can use it as an excuse not to talk to anyone, since, well it’s technically an error.
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To tap into the spirit of 1950s Barbie, you’ll need a super-retro pencil skirt. In black. Then, you’ll need a pair of black cat-eye sunglasses, and a tight-fitting top. You can even write the word “Barbie” across a tee-shirt in marker.
If you have some extra time, you can always order a Barbie tee-shirt. Just be sure to watch a retro makeup tutorial to go the extra mile with the makeup approach. Winged eyeliner is a MUST – might we suggest a black liquid liner to get it done?
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The trick to pulling this costume off is the dress. You need ALL THE FRINGE. We repeat: Do not forget the fringe! If you’ve got a fringey dress collecting dust in your closet, pull it out. Otherwise, this Gatsby dress has you covered.
You’ll also need a long pearl necklace, a feather headband, and black gloves (all available in this easy set). Clueless about flapper hairdos? Here are good tutorials for short, medium, and long hair.
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Wednesday Addams is the classic Halloween look — and it’s super, super simple! You probably have most of it in your closet, including the black dress and a white collar.
Slap on a pair of black thigh highs, rock a black braided wig, and swipe on some dark lipstick and you’ll be all set.
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This iconic look is a Halloween favorite. You’ll need the blue dress with the pink belt, the high white socks, and a carefully place barrette in your hair. Oh, and some splattered blood is never a bad idea.
You can probably pull this last-minute Halloween costume off alone, but you and a friend should rock this look together. #redrum.
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This extremely creepy Pet Sematary cat mask is available for rush delivery on Amazon. Pair this mask with a black outfit and you’ll be freaking everyone at the party out. For real.
Just stand in the corner of the room at the party like a real creep. This mask basically does all the work for you!
We’ve got a good last-minute Halloween costume for you…
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In this simple killer housewife costume, all you’ll really need is a dress, some heels, a pearl necklace, and a whole lotta fake blood. The idea here is to play off the housewife trope and to get really super messy with it.
Just make sure you use a dress you’re not going to want to wear ever again. Oh, and if you have a partner, they can dress as your dead spouse. Let’s just hope your friends have a morbid sense of humor.
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When you show up to a Halloween party, there’s a 99 percent chance someone at the party is going to be an American Horror Story fan — which means they’ll know the extra-creepy, super-dark Hotel season character Hypodermic Sally.
You’ll need an animal print (hopefully faux!) jacket of some sort over a black or dark velvety dress, a black choker, crimped hair, and messed up makeup. If you don’t have blonde hair, find a crimped blonde wig, like this unholy wig from Amazon.
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This one’s pretty easy. All you have to do is wear a black dress of your choice, preferably with a wide-brim black hat. The Coven’s witches don a 90s-inspired look, so if you’ve got a dress with chunky black boots, even better. The best way to rock this look is in a group (or a coven)!
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This skeleton costume dress is literally 16.99 on Amazon. For less than 20 bucks, that’s a super spooky steal. For those who prefer not to wear a dress, there’s also this affordable skeleton bodysuit.
For people who celebrate Dia De Los Muertos, or The Day of the Dead, get your hands on this Sugar Skull costume and floral crown (and be sure to watch this makeup tutorial). Fun fact: a sugar skull is also known as a Calavera, or a decorative skull.
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Since Halloween’s history tells us that costumes were used to ward away the bad spirits, we’re thinking a ghost will be the ultimate protection!
All you’ve got to do is cut two holes into an old white sheet, and you’re done! If you want to go the extra mile with this one, paint your face white and spray-paint your hair grey or white as well.
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The key to making sure this costume works well is getting your hands on the accessories, like the headpiece and the headdress. Of course, you can’t go wrong weilding a huge cross, either.
If you want to take this one to the next level, go with dark eyeliner, heavy black and red eyeshadow, some deep red lips and, you know, some blood.
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Beyond the headpiece, the makeup is the going to make or break this costume, so be sure to watch this oh-so-Angelina tutorial. It’s all about the cheekbones!
A fancy, long, or off-the-shoulder black gown ought to the trick, but any black party dress will do. Even better: A dress with bell-sleeves and a trail. You can also snap up this feather cape shawl and headpiece set. You might want to don a staff to be extra. And let’s be honest: Maleficent IS extra.
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The scarecrow is an easy go-to because it requires very little and is instantly recognized. All you really need is a plaid shirt and a pair of tan boots, along with some twine. Tie the twin around your neck and wrists for scarecrow emphasis.
Scarecrow makeup is pretty simple, too. It’s all about drawing the look of stitches across your mouth, cheeks, and nose, as this tutorial explains. Have fun with it!
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