Everyone’s favorite spooky season is just around the corner, and with it comes the pressure to find the right costume. It can be a daunting task, but the best part of Halloween is the freedom to be creative.
Purchasing a premade costume from a seasonal retail store can be pricey and limiting, so opt for the more affordable and fun option and create your own DIY costume this year. Whether you are coordinating a group costume, matching with a significant other, or riding solo, there is always a way to make it work.
Go With The Classics
There’s no shame in using traditional Halloween tropes as inspiration for your DIY costume. They can be some of the easiest and most fun to recreate. Take the classic vampire, for example, which can be achieved with just a few staple accessories. Find any black dress – preferably old-fashioned – and pair it with some gothic pieces like a choker, lace gloves, or torn black tights. Finish it off with red lips, some fake blood, and of course, fangs!
Another historically popular and easy to achieve character is a witch. There are many ways to create this spooky ensemble. They usually have flowing black robes – though if you go Shakespeare they need not be black You can even use a corset. Just don’t forget the broom and pointy hat. Sticking to the basics can go a long way when it comes to DIY costumes. Utilizing a few fundamental elements can transform an everyday outfit into a work of art.
Through the Decades
There is no better way to live out your favorite decade than to embody it for Halloween.
When deciding on how to put together a costume based on a particular era, there are normally signature pieces that are commonly known to be from a certain period. Breaking it down into three main sections: Tops, bottoms, and hair will help narrow down the specifics. Most of the time, the elements will already be in the closet waiting to be used.
Fish out the neon leggings, an oversized sweater, and a lot of hairspray for an homage to the 80s. Take it back a little further to the gelled pompadours, leather jackets, and cuffed jeans of the 1950s Greaser. If groovy florals, bell-bottoms, and long hair are more your style, then the 1970s aesthetic is where to aim this season.
TV and Movies are Fair Game
Some of the best inspirations for Halloween costumes are found in popular movies and television shows. Spooky classics like the Adams Family and Frankenstein provide a slew of possibilities. Wednesday Adams is one of the simplest and most iconic characters to recreate. It only requires two main elements: a white collared black dress and two long braids.
If you prefer something a little less creepy, there are always characters like Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz. Her outfit is nearly as simple as Wednesday’s, with just two key elements to find: a light blue gingham dress and ruby red shoes. For the gentlemen, there are characters like Shaggy from Scooby-Doo that just require an oversized green shirt and brown bellbottoms. Having a talking dog helps as well.
Fairytales Come to Life
When it comes to finding a fairytale-inspired costume, there is no shortage of source material to reference. Classic tales by the esteemed Hans Christian Anderson or the Brother’s Grimm are all fantastic works to explore. At the very least, there is always Disney.
One of the most popular stories that are often used for Halloween inspiration is Snow White.
Her iconic dress seems intimidating to replicate at first but just using her Disney color scheme is enough to put the costume together. Pair a blue top with a yellow skirt and finish it off with a red belt. Now you’re on your way to singing with forest animals… just be sure to use some outdoor lifestyle covers to keep them off your furniture. Things can get messy.
A Pinch of Pop Culture
Using pop culture references as inspiration for a costume opens the door to a lot of creativity. Keep it simple with the iconic Where’s Waldo ensemble, complete with a red and white striped sweater and matching beanie. Pair these with some jeans, and everyone will get a kick out of this cultural mascot – if they can find you!
Pop culture does not always have to be contemporary. Rosie the Riveter is a historical symbol that can be proudly worn during seasonal festivities. She sports a denim collared shirt with a red bandana wrapped around her head. She also comes with a signature pose that must be replicated in every photo.
Current Events
Who could forget Kim Kardashian’s look at this year’s Met Gala? Throw a black long-sleeve and leggings on with a cape and face covering, and everyone will recognize the reference. It is a moment that so many people were witnesses to, which makes it a perfect current event costume.
The phenomenon of sharing the same experience with a whole community of people is an optimal opportunity for an ensemble no one will forget. Play on a cultural inside joke like viral videos or celebrity meltdowns. Sporting events like the Olympics or the Super Bowl can also serve as potential current events for costumes. Careful not to get too political, though, as this could ruffle some feathers.
Couples costumes
Sometimes costumes are better in twos. One of society’s most well-known and endearing pairs is Mickey and Minnie Mouse. Both sport the same color palette. Minnie would wear a black top, red polka dot skirt – preferably A-line – and yellow shoes. Mickey would also have a black shirt paired with red shorts and yellow shoes. Add an extra touch by attaching the two classic polka dots to his shorts and white gloves to finish it off.
Group Costumes
A real party crowd pleaser, group costumes can be a lot of fun but can also take some work. Coordinating costumes can be made easier by finding groups that share similar looks like the characters from Mean Girls, who all have pink incorporated into preppy-styled outfits.
Families can enjoy group costumes such as the whole Scooby-doo gang where each person where’s a few signature items from each character. Fred with his blue-collared white shirt and orange handkerchief, Daphne with her purple dress and green scarf, Velma wearing an orange turtleneck and red skirt, Shaggy with a green t-shirt and brown pants, and then finally scooby – perfect for an actual dog or baby.
Animals
When deciding on how to be an animal for Halloween, you can go as detailed or basic as needed depending on the amount of time and money you are willing to spend. Many people opt for wearing regular outfits but adding animal ears as the only costume element. If you want to put in a little more effort, getting creative with makeup is one of the best ways to bring the animal costume to life.
If the chosen animal is a panda, for example, wearing a black and white baseball t-shirt and black pants could be the body, while the face is painted with its signature darkened eyes, nose, and mouth. Top it off with rounded black ears and a little bamboo for a party snack.
Anti-Costumes
These are for the lazy Halloween enthusiasts who want to celebrate the holiday in the simplest way. Find a Starbucks shirt and call yourself a latte or a barista or throw on some glasses and a button-up to be a nerd. Whatever the costume – no matter how simple or complex – Halloween is about enjoying the opportunity to be someone else for a day, so make it count.
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