DIY Halloween costumes from items already in your closet

Learn to make DIY Halloween costumes!

You won’t have to spend a dime.

Get creative for Halloween this year.

Halloween is a season of spookiness, creativity and, let’s be honest, some last-minute scrambling for costumes.

While store-bought outfits can be fun, they often come with a hefty price tag. The good news is, you don’t have to spend a fortune to look amazing this Halloween.

You’d be surprised how many great costumes you can create from items you already have in your closet. All it takes is a little ingenuity and some mixing and matching of clothing and accessories you own.

So, let’s dive into the world of DIY Halloween costumes that are not only budget-friendly but also super creative.

Classic Ghost

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If you have an old white bed sheet lying around, you’re halfway to one of the most basic DIY Halloween costumes. To create the classic ghost look, all you need is to drape the sheet over yourself and carefully cut out eye holes.

Make sure to do this while you’re not wearing the sheet, of course. Once the holes are cut, put the sheet back on and check that you can see clearly.

If the sheet is too plain for your taste, jazz it up with some fabric markers by adding eerie shapes like bats or pumpkins.

You can also cinch it at the waist with a belt to give it some form. Pair the look with white socks and white shoes, and you’re ready to haunt the night away.

Homemade Halloween costumes: Office Worker

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Many of us have work attire that sits in our closet, only worn for job interviews or meetings. Why not put that formal clothing to use this Halloween?

Dress up in your most office-appropriate outfit, and add a quirky twist. Stick some Post-it notes onto your blazer or shirt, carry a coffee mug and let your hair be as disheveled as possible to show the stress of the 9-to-5 grind.

If you have a lanyard, wear that around your neck with a fake ID card to complete the look.

An added bonus is to carry around a keyboard or a calculator for the night. Your work attire has never been so spookily appropriate!

Choose your decade!

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How about taking a trip back in time for homemade Halloween costumes? Most people have items in their closet that can evoke a particular decade. If you have bell-bottom jeans and a tie-dye shirt, you can easily become a ’70s hippie.

Throw on a peace-sign necklace if you have one, or make one out of cardboard and string. Alternatively, if you have a poodle skirt or can fashion one out of a circle of fabric, you can step into the ’50s with ease.

Throw a scarf around your neck and wear your hair in a high ponytail to complete the look.

For a ’90s grunge vibe, just wear a flannel shirt over a band t-shirt, ripped jeans, and combat boots. The options are endless, and you can pull it off with items already in your wardrobe.

DIY Halloween costumes: Superhero

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Superhero costumes usually involve elaborate suits and capes, but you can create a simplified version with what you have. Wear a bright monochromatic outfit, such as an all-blue or all-red ensemble.

Find a contrasting color of fabric or a large scarf to tie around your neck as a makeshift cape. If you have any face paint or old makeup lying around, create a simple mask around your eyes.

Accessorize with a belt where you can attach ‘gadgets’ made from household items like empty toilet paper rolls or small water bottles.

Tuck a t-shirt into your pants and let it puff out a bit to create a ‘muscular’ effect. Strike a heroic pose, and you’re good to go!