You don't have to spend a fortune on a store-bought costume you'll wear once (twice, if you're lucky!) to come up with something creative for Halloween—even if you have minimal crafting skills and limited time.
Whether you want to go as something sweet—a cupcake that comes together with your normal clothes, for example—or prefer to use All Hallow's Eve as an excuse to tap into your darker side—a Disney villain, a pretty sorceress, or one of the Sanderson sisters from Hocus Pocus—there's an easy (and cheap!) DIY Halloween costume for you.
You can make many of these at the last-minute (read: the morning before the party) with just a few wardrobe staples and a few simple supplies, like a glue gun and some felt. Of course, experts can feel free to take any of these ideas and run with them, showing off their sewing skills to create something truly out of this world—a pearl in a life-size shell or a Jeff Koons-inspired balloon animal, perhaps. And, yes, you could totally skip the crafting session all together and, instead, lean on an ugly Halloween sweater that's perfect for work or makeup (think: something witchy).
Ready to start planning? Here, dozens upon dozens of affordable and simple ideas for women. (There's even a few that make great couples or BFF costumes, too!) And while these are all pictured on adults, you could totally use the inspo on your kids as well.
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1
Vintage Clown
Not all clowns have red hair and rainbow outfits. If you prefer a more neutral aesthetic, go dressed as a vintage clown. You don't need much—just a linen dress, some striped black tights, and some black yarn.
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2
Pearl and Shell Costume
You don't have to be pregnant to pull off this adorable—albeit, not exactly easy—costume, but there's no denying the bump helps accentuate the "pearl" inside the shell (a multi-dimensional accessory made from foam and spray paint).
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3
Holly Golightly
It's easy to pull off this classic costume with wardrobe staples—all you need is a black dress, a pair of pumps, a big necklace, and a pair of sunglasses. To finish the look, take advantage of two-day shipping, and order a pair of gloves and a tiara.
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4
Balloon Animal
A plain white outfit provides the perfect blank canvas for this fun costume inspired by the work of Jeff Koons. We love the way red pops, but you can use any color that suits you—as long as you can find the spandex fabric for the job.
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5
Cookie Monster
As long as you have a blue dress and a brown clutch, you'll be well on your way to this homemade Cookie Monster costume. A blue boa, white foam balls, and black felt will take you the rest of the way.
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6
Cupcake
Here's a fun idea: Pretend it's your birthday. Glue strips of felt onto a sweatshirt, then fashion yourself a giant candle headband using a cardboard tube (an empty toilet paper tube works just fine!) and cardstock.
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7
Mrs. Potato Head
Make this cute DIY costume even simpler by attaching felt to a tan-colored dress.
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8
Ball of Yarn
Want to stand out in a crowd? We're willing to bet you'll be the only ball of yarn at the parade.
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9
Piñata
It's easy to turn yourself into this classic party game—just arrange strips of crepe paper in layers on a white shirt. Finish the look with two party hats decorated the same way.
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10
Goddess
Dress yourself in all white, then don a homemade gold crown (attach spray painted roses and dowels to a headband) to transform yourself into a heavenly goddess.
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11
Comic Book Character
A little creativity with makeup, plus some spray-on hair color, will make you look like you jumped right out of a comic book.
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12
Candy Necklace
A super sweet take on the DIY costume that requires just five simple supplies and make good use of those $1 pool noodles when the season is over.
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13
Cruella de Vil
A little silver hair dye and some clever accessorizing makes it easy to transform yourself into one of Disney's most infamous villains.
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14
Cher From Clueless
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15
Gumball Machine
Simply glue multicolored pom-poms to the top half of a red dress. Make sure to craft a little dispenser out of some gray and black felt, too.
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16
Bubble Tea
Minimal crafting skills? You've got this—this cool costume just requires a bit of felt, cardstock, and a hot glue gun.
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17
Power Ranger
Gather your mightiest crew and assign each person a color. Then, affix white felt to a leotard, add a ribbon belt, and finish the look with a pair of knee socks.
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18
Sandy From Grease
Here's an easy look almost anyone call pull together with wardrobe staples, like a moto jacket, leggings, and a pair of red heels.
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19
Pantone Color
Hate dressing up? Here's a little cheat: Pick your favorite solid shade, then just pin on a little Pantone label. Boom—instant costume.
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20
Terrarium
Show off your green thumb and your crafting skills all at once with this creative plant-inspired getup.
