Halloween snuck up again, didn’t it? One second it’s September, the next you’re realizing there’s a costume party tonight and zero time to shop. Don’t worry, you’ve got everything you need right at home. With a little creativity (and maybe a safety pin or two), you can pull together a clever, crowd-pleasing look that says “effortlessly iconic” instead of “forgot it was Halloween.”
Here are seven quick and creative costume ideas you can throw together from your closet, bathroom drawer, or kitchen, no panic buying required.
© Getty Images/Westend61
© Getty ImagesThe “Error 404” Costume
Grab a plain white T-shirt and a marker. Write “Error 404: Costume Not Found.” That’s it. Funny, relatable, and a total hit with anyone who’s ever opened too many browser tabs. Pair it with jeans and messy hair.
© Getty ImagesWednesday Addams
Black dress? Check. White collared shirt? Even better. Braid your hair, give your best deadpan stare, and add a swipe of dark eyeliner. Instantly recognizable, weirdly chic, and perfectly on theme for spooky season.
© Getty ImagesA Sleep-Deprived Ghost
You’ve seen a regular ghost. Throw on an oversized white shirt or sheet, add dark circles under your eyes with eyeliner, and carry a coffee mug. Now you’re the millennial haunting your own apartment.
© Universal Images Group via GettyPop Art Comic Character
Channel your inner Roy Lichtenstein. Use black eyeliner to outline your facial features and red lipstick (or eyeshadow) to dot your face in comic-style halftones. Add a bright top or anything with bold patterns.
© Getty ImagesThe Tourist
Dig out your loudest shirt (bonus points for a Hawaiian print), sunglasses, and a sun hat or baseball cap. Hang a camera or phone around your neck and carry a map, or open Google Maps on your phone for the 2025 version. Walk around with a confused look and say “Is this where the snacks are?” every few minutes.
© Getty Images/Westend61The Movie Director
We all have an all-black outfit. Grab your biggest sunglasses, a scarf, and a notebook (or any random clipboard). Shout “And… action!” now and then. You can even make a fake film badge or carry around a coffee cup labeled “Producer.”
© Getty ImagesThe Sim
The Sims still counts as a pop culture flex. Cut out a green diamond shape from cardboard or paper, color it in, and tape it to a headband or hair clip so it hovers above your head. Wear literally anything else; it’s your Sim, your rules. Just don’t forget to do that awkward idle animation every so often.
