73 Easy Halloween Costumes for Women That Come Together Super-Quick
No one will know your costume happened last-minute!
No matter how much we tell ourselves we won’t wait until the last minute to whip up a Halloween costume, life all too often gets in the way. And then, all of a sudden, the countdown to the holiday is on, and you’re in desperate need of an easy Halloween costume you can whip up super-quick, ideally made from normal clothes already hanging in your closet. (Plus, you know, one or two overnight orders from Amazon.)
If this dilemma sounds familiar, you’ve come to the right place! We’ve perused the furthest corners of the internet to bring you 73 easy halloween costumes for women that don’t take a lot of time, effort or money to create. Many of these last-minute costumes are easy characters to embody (lookin’ at you, Rosie the Riveter and Belle from Beauty and the Beast), but we’ve also included a few more cerebral and pun-based costumes as well. (How fun is that Smarty Pants idea!?) There are also duo ideas that make for an excellent best friend Halloween costume, and several homemade princess costumes as well. (Because who doesn’t love dressing up as a princess?)
Now that your cheap and easy Halloween costume is taken care of (you’re welcome!), you’ll have the time and energy to move on to other parts of the Halloween holiday. With all the time you save, you can concentrate on marathoning the best Halloween movies of all time, brainstorming pumpkin carving ideas—or even just figuring out the Halloween costumes for the kids.
Rosie the Riveter
Rosie the Riveter was the star character of a campaign aimed at recruiting female workers during World War II, and is still instantly recognizable thanks to her signature red bandana.
Get the tutorial at The Homesteady.
DIY Candy Corn Costume
Talk about a sweet costume. This easy-to-execute candy corn outfit pays homage to one of Halloween's most iconic candies.
Get the tutorial at Color Me Courtney.
DIY Scarecrow Costume
Thomas Rhett's wife Lauren Akins makes for an adorable scarecrow. This one is easy and you might even have what you need in your closet. Pair overalls with a plaid shirt and straw hat. Top off the look with braids and oversize freckles.
Coffee Filter Mermaid Costume
This mermaid costume ingeniously repurposes coffee filters to create a pretty, textured mermaid costume.
Get the tutorial at The House That Lars Built.
Baby from "Dirty Dancing"
"I carried a watermelon." This easy-to-execute costume is instantly recognizable for Dirty Dancing fans.
Get the tutorial at The Homesteady.
Raincloud Costume
This raincloud costume is simple to make from just a clear umbrella, Polyfil, blue card stock, and translucent ribbon. It's also perfect for pet moms, thanks to the adorable dog rainbow costume.
Get the tutorial at Dream a Little Bigger.
Pop-Tart Costume
All you'll need is a large piece of cardboard and some paint to create this Pop-Tart costume (and it only costs $5!).
Get the tutorial at Paper & Stitch.
Superquilter Costume
Love to knit, quilt, and crochet? Save the day—er, the "crafter-noon," if you will—with this epic costume. It's right up your alley.
DIY Balloon Snake Medusa
This clever take on Medusa, a monster from Greek mythology whose most marked characteristic is hair made of serpents, is created with curled balloons, make up, and rubber snakes.
Get the tutorial at The House That Lars Built.
Smarty Pants Halloween Costume
We love a punny costume, especially if it's easy to pull off. This "Smarty Pants" ensemble is made by simply glueing Smarties candy to a pair of pants. Tip: Use glue dots to avoid damaging your favorite pair.
Get more ideas at Good Housekeeping.
Belle Halloween Costume for Women
There may be more than this provincial life, but there isn't much more to this easy Disney costume than what you see here.
Get the tutorial at Merrick’s Art.
DIY Ice Cream Halloween Costume
I scream, you scream, we all scream for this sweet costume idea.
Get the tutorial at HGTV.
Head in the Clouds
This adorable look by Amber Kemp-Gerstel starts with a plain T-shirt and headband! Let your creativity take it from there.
Get the tutorial at Damask Love.
Minnie Mouse Costume
Show off your love of Disney with this Minnie Mouse outfit. How adorable is that tutu?
Get the tutorial at I Am Style-ish.
Cuckoo Clock
You're sure to be the only one at the Halloween party wearing this quirky costume—complete with pretty pendulum pinecone braids.
Get the tutorial at The Merrythought.
Picnic Blanket Costume
Fashion a dress from red-and-white gingham fabric (or simply buy one), and embellish it with paper plates, kids’ faux foods, and utensils. (Add plastic ants, if desired!) A fascinator made from a paper-covered cardboard disc and more picnic fixin’s furthers this feast for the eyes.
Get the tutorial at Oh Yay Studio.
Bat Costume
This costume is so easy to pull off. All you need is a black hoodie and a broken umbrella.
Make the costume: Cut your umbrella in half and use black safety pins or hot glue to attach it to the arms of a black hoodie. Fasten the hinges of the metal umbrella pieces with black electrical tape, so they can properly fold. Create ears with foam core and feathers for added texture.
Mona Lisa Halloween Costume
Practice your mysterious smile before "wearing" this easy, last-minute costume.
Get the tutorial at The House That Lars Built.
Burger Costume
Would you like a side of fries with your costume? Then you'll definitely want to create this cute burger dress.
Get the tutorial at Studio DIY.
Katherine Johnson Costume (from 'Hidden Figures')
Have you seen Hidden Figures? Us too—it's a favorite, and it highlights what strong, powerful women are capable of. That's why we're loving this fun costume idea that emulates NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson.
Jill Gleeson is a travel journalist and memoirist based in the Appalachian Mountains of western Pennsylvania who has written for websites and publications including Good Housekeeping, Woman’s Day, Country Living, Washingtonian, Gothamist, Canadian Traveller, and EDGE Media Network. Jill is the travel editor for Enchanted Living. Learn more about her journey at gleesonreboots.com.
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