ADVERTISEMENT

As much as we’re looking forward to Halloween, we also understand that every once in a while, time just slips through your fingers, and you end up on the eve of October 31 without a single clue about what kind of outfit to wear. But panic not, as Yoda would say.

We at Bored Panda put together a killer list of the best last-minute Halloween costume ideas. From the classic ghost to the upside-down man, you should be able to DIY these fun looks with limited resources in just a flash. Or two. Continue scrolling and check them out!

#1

French Kiss, The Best Halloween Costume Idea Ever

French Kiss, The Best Halloween Costume Idea Ever

Report

The folks at Hubbub highlight that 4 in 10 Halloween costumes are thrown away after only being worn once, and many are made from plastic, so the cost of looking creepy is creeping up. To help folks create a more sustainable costume, they offer these DIY dress-up ideas that can save not only money and time but also help the planet:

1. Iconic costumes from everyday clothes. Real-life figures like the Spice Girls, David Attenborough, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, or fictional ones like Rosie the Riveter or Paddington Bear have looks that are instantly recognizable but can also be assembled from what's already in your wardrobe, so start by "cataloging" what you already have. Maybe your next Halloween costume is already laying in your wardrobe.

2. Are there any old outfits haunting the back of your cupboard from many moons ago? If single-use clothing and its associated packaging gives you the shivers, try to see if you can find an old costume and bring back the ghost of Halloween past.

ADVERTISEMENT

3. Top of the props. If you don't like the costume you end up with because it looks a bit too flat, fashion it with freaky accessories from leftover cardboard or paper you already have. Swords, ears, hats, and wings can all be cut from cereal boxes and painted or covered with fabric, and there are lots of tutorials online that can teach you how.

4. Paint yourself scary. You can pick up non-toxic, cruelty-free body paint for quite cheap from most fancy-dress shops and transform into an orc or some other beast super fast.

Now go kill it!

#8

The Black Eyed Peas

The Black Eyed Peas

Report

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
#10

“Yes, I Have Seen The Memes.” Sometimes I Convince People I Am Normal, And Then I Do Things Such As This

“Yes, I Have Seen The Memes.” Sometimes I Convince People I Am Normal, And Then I Do Things Such As This

kazthequeenofglitter Report

Add photo comments
POST
Mad Dragon
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have the crochet version of this sitting on my mantle in the living room.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#12

When You Have No Halloween Costume, Search For A Couple Bins And A Lot Of Duct Tape Last Minute

When You Have No Halloween Costume, Search For A Couple Bins And A Lot Of Duct Tape Last Minute

Jacksax22 Report

#14

My Last Minute Halloween Costume, Ghosting

My Last Minute Halloween Costume, Ghosting

JennyGilleece Report

#15

Trick Or Treat - These 3 Lads Showed Up. Absolutely Terrifying

Trick Or Treat - These 3 Lads Showed Up. Absolutely Terrifying

jimmyre Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#18

Need To Go To A Batman Themed Dress-Up Party On A Budget? Go As His Parents. Cost: 2 Sheets Of Paper

Need To Go To A Batman Themed Dress-Up Party On A Budget? Go As His Parents. Cost: 2 Sheets Of Paper

Monsieur_Flotini Report

#19

My Last Minute Take On A One Night Stand Costume

My Last Minute Take On A One Night Stand Costume

kland84 Report

#21

Nickelback

Nickelback

Report

#23

It Was Kind Of Last Minute, But For Halloween I Made A Stuffed Hobbes To Go With My Costume

It Was Kind Of Last Minute, But For Halloween I Made A Stuffed Hobbes To Go With My Costume

mayalcaulfield Report

#24

Brawny Guy

Brawny Guy

DudeJoe Report

Add photo comments
POST
Amy Dodds
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He could have dressed up as jake gyllenhall and I wouldn't have looked twice

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#26

Husband And I Decided To Do Halloween Last Minute. Not Bad For A Couple Of Hours And >$20

Husband And I Decided To Do Halloween Last Minute. Not Bad For A Couple Of Hours And >$20

ham_solo Report

#27

Best Last Minute Halloween Costume I've Ever Made

Best Last Minute Halloween Costume I've Ever Made

Lola_V Report

Add photo comments
POST
Auntriarch
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Last minute? I'd like to see what she can do when she has plenty of time

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#28

My Friend's Last Minute Halloween Costume

My Friend's Last Minute Halloween Costume

EpicDodo Report

#29

My Friend And I Put Together This Last Minute Costume Combo For A Party

My Friend And I Put Together This Last Minute Costume Combo For A Party

meowalyson Report

#30

King Of Last Minute Costumes, My Friend As The Bastard Sea That Took Wilson

King Of Last Minute Costumes, My Friend As The Bastard Sea That Took Wilson

karlswartz Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#34

Shape Of Water But The Budget Is $4

Shape Of Water But The Budget Is $4

too-tsunami Report

#35

Yeah, It Was Pretty Last Minute

Yeah, It Was Pretty Last Minute

CatfishRadiator Report

#36

Florida Man Makes Last Minute Halloween Costume

Florida Man Makes Last Minute Halloween Costume

violindork22 Report

#37

My Last Minute Costume Was A Success! Who Doesn't Love Indy?

My Last Minute Costume Was A Success! Who Doesn't Love Indy?

jesus4governor Report

#38

Last Minute Hermione Granger Costume, Since I Already Happen To Have The Hair And Props And All

Last Minute Hermione Granger Costume, Since I Already Happen To Have The Hair And Props And All

myrrhder Report

#40

Here's My Coworker And I In Our Very Last-Minute Halloween Costumes

Here's My Coworker And I In Our Very Last-Minute Halloween Costumes

natrasharomanova Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#41

Our Lockdown Zoom Party Costumes (Last Minute Idea)

Our Lockdown Zoom Party Costumes (Last Minute Idea)

SoulRaven80 Report

#42

My Last Minute Halloween Costume “Cardigan Bee” Aka Cardi B

My Last Minute Halloween Costume “Cardigan Bee” Aka Cardi B

Joaxaround Report

#43

2020 Is For Lazy Halloween Costumes

2020 Is For Lazy Halloween Costumes

axeley-killor Report

#44

The Upside-Down Man

The Upside-Down Man

Mandy Beyeler Report

#45

I Won’t Lie I Didn’t Try Hard With This Costume. Happy Belated Halloween Everyone

I Won’t Lie I Didn’t Try Hard With This Costume. Happy Belated Halloween Everyone

cup.of.ricoco Report

#46

I’m Always A Fan Of An Easy Costume, Hopefully It Works

I’m Always A Fan Of An Easy Costume, Hopefully It Works

deathbethemaiden Report

#48

Paint Some Wire And Print Out A Logo

Paint Some Wire And Print Out A Logo

Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#50

But Of A Last-Minute Costume This Year- Jawa Without The Black Gloves

But Of A Last-Minute Costume This Year- Jawa Without The Black Gloves

almeisan_s Report

Continue reading with Bored Panda Premium
Unlimited content
Ad-free browsing
Dark mode
#51

Low Effort Last Minute Costume. Never Forget

Low Effort Last Minute Costume. Never Forget

maybeitsjack Report

#52

My Last-Minute Halloween Costume Is The Most Terrifying I've Ever Worn

My Last-Minute Halloween Costume Is The Most Terrifying I've Ever Worn

NebulousJenn Report

#53

My Brother Put This Outfit Together Last Minute For A Halloween Party A Few Years Ago. It Still Kills Me Every Time I See It

My Brother Put This Outfit Together Last Minute For A Halloween Party A Few Years Ago. It Still Kills Me Every Time I See It

Neely8Janney23 Report

#54

So This Was My Buddies Last Minute Halloween Costume For A Party Last Night

So This Was My Buddies Last Minute Halloween Costume For A Party Last Night

NeoDalto Report

#55

My Original Costume Broke So I Had To Make A New One At The Last Minute

My Original Costume Broke So I Had To Make A New One At The Last Minute

heyheyjeffreyjay Report

#56

My Last Minute Early Halloween Party Costume. Cheap, Quick, Easy, Dignified

My Last Minute Early Halloween Party Costume. Cheap, Quick, Easy, Dignified

Pixelatedcow1 Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#58

Aaaahhh, The Anual Last Minute Stress Costume

Aaaahhh, The Anual Last Minute Stress Costume

the_blueberry_boy Report

#59

White Trash Halloween Costume

White Trash Halloween Costume

Victoria Lynn Report

#60

Last Year's Last Minute "Dark Elf"

Last Year's Last Minute "Dark Elf"

JayyyRay Report

#61

I Decided To Do A Last Minute Costume, And I Only Had A Paper Bag Laying Around To Work With

I Decided To Do A Last Minute Costume, And I Only Had A Paper Bag Laying Around To Work With

lol_Gello Report

#62

Identity Thief. Last Minute Costume

Identity Thief. Last Minute Costume

katie_holla Report

Add photo comments
POST
Otter
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Brilliant! And all it took was one thing at the dollar store!

View more commentsArrow down menu
#63

Low Budget Costume That Fits My Body Type. Practically Nailed It

Low Budget Costume That Fits My Body Type. Practically Nailed It

mynickname86 Report

#64

Last Minute Lady Liberty, When You Have The Perfect Color Sheets

Last Minute Lady Liberty, When You Have The Perfect Color Sheets

hnnhmunr Report

Add photo comments
POST
Andy Acceber
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I once went as the Statue of Liberty. I dyed my hair with Kool-Aid. It was green for a week! And very much against my school's dress code.

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#65

I Threw Together A Last-Minute Morticia Addams, Or As One Person Asked, "A Gothic Lady From Wheel Of Fortune". Vanna Black It Is

I Threw Together A Last-Minute Morticia Addams, Or As One Person Asked, "A Gothic Lady From Wheel Of Fortune". Vanna Black It Is

YeahButDidHeDied Report

#67

So I Decided Last Minute To Put This Together

So I Decided Last Minute To Put This Together

minh81n Report

Add photo comments
POST
#68

Oooohwee! My Last Minute Costume From Saturday Sure Did Swell ($5 Of Fabric, Cardboard, Duct Tape And Hope)

Oooohwee! My Last Minute Costume From Saturday Sure Did Swell ($5 Of Fabric, Cardboard, Duct Tape And Hope)

Aus_pol Report

#69

Last Minute RHPS Group. Probably Less Than $100 For All. Conception To Completion= 24 Hours

Last Minute RHPS Group. Probably Less Than $100 For All. Conception To Completion= 24 Hours

DescendingAngel Report

#70

I Agree With The Awesomeness Of Pun Costumes: Pothead Serial Killer

I Agree With The Awesomeness Of Pun Costumes: Pothead Serial Killer

procrastinosaurus Report

Add photo comments
POST
Andy Acceber
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I assume most potheads are too stoned to be interested in becoming serial killers.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#71

Thought You Guys Would Appreciate My Halloween Costume! Very Last Minute But My Favourite So Far

Thought You Guys Would Appreciate My Halloween Costume! Very Last Minute But My Favourite So Far

emmyobby Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#73

Contestants On Supermarket Sweep

Contestants On Supermarket Sweep

barbarracuda Report

Add photo comments
POST
Sarah
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Next time you’re at the checkout and you hear the beep… think of the fun you could be having on Supermarket Sweep!

#74

Very Last Minute DIY "2020" Halloween Costume For Under $10

Very Last Minute DIY "2020" Halloween Costume For Under $10

MitsubiShe Report

#75

Last Minute Costume

Last Minute Costume

_kylinwithak Report

#76

My Last Minute Costume Was Every Magic Player's Worst Nightmare

My Last Minute Costume Was Every Magic Player's Worst Nightmare

Tylarthefarmer Report

Add photo comments
POST
tail_bite
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

NO GOD PLS NO, NOOO i have suffered the pain of playing agaisnt this

#77

Had To Make A Last Minute Update To My Michael Costume

Had To Make A Last Minute Update To My Michael Costume

JoeHasSpoken Report

Add photo comments
POST
Andy Acceber
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If anyone doesn't know, actor Ted Danson was arrested at a climate crisis protest. He's a good guy.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#78

Scranton Strangler - A Great Last Minute Work Costume

Scranton Strangler - A Great Last Minute Work Costume

ZeusWayne Report

Add photo comments
POST
#80

Me And My Boyfriends Halloween Costume, Better Late Than Never I Guess

Me And My Boyfriends Halloween Costume, Better Late Than Never I Guess

abbywiin Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#82

My Wife Let Me Use Her Hair Extensions And Maternity Shirt For My Last Minute Halloween Costume

My Wife Let Me Use Her Hair Extensions And Maternity Shirt For My Last Minute Halloween Costume

FatLionGuy Report

#85

Last Minute Costumes. Cost Us $20 Total To Make

Last Minute Costumes. Cost Us $20 Total To Make

haamsandwich Report

Add photo comments
POST
CaliCoast
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Happy Gilmore was a great film. Bob Barker was too funny. Terrific line!

#86

Last Minute Costumes. Mermaid & Deep Sea Fisherman

Last Minute Costumes. Mermaid & Deep Sea Fisherman

agruene Report

Add photo comments
POST
ElenaK
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She looks like "Fig,Figueroa from Orange is the New Black"!

#87

My “Whoopee Goldberg” Costume. Last Minute But I Was Still Pretty Proud Of It

My “Whoopee Goldberg” Costume. Last Minute But I Was Still Pretty Proud Of It

GreenGrouch5 Report

#88

My Last Minute Cuphead Costume

My Last Minute Cuphead Costume

TheDarkPlight Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#89

Your Ex (I.e., A Pile Of Trash)

Your Ex (I.e., A Pile Of Trash)

lexlouga Report

#90

Laziness Level: Matt. Happy Halloween Matts

Laziness Level: Matt. Happy Halloween Matts

matthewsteez Report

#91

Last Minute Strong Bads Are The Best Kind Of Strong Bads

Last Minute Strong Bads Are The Best Kind Of Strong Bads

MassiveLemon Report

#92

First Costume Of Spooky Season: A Fork In The Road, Complete With Potholes. Great Budget Costume Idea

First Costume Of Spooky Season: A Fork In The Road, Complete With Potholes. Great Budget Costume Idea

adatenightin Report

Add photo comments
POST
#93

My Very Last-Minute Costume

My Very Last-Minute Costume

backtothefuscia Report

#94

Obtuse, Rubber Goose Green Moose, Guava Juice Giant Shake, Birthday Cake Large Fries, Chocolate Shake

Obtuse, Rubber Goose Green Moose, Guava Juice Giant Shake, Birthday Cake Large Fries, Chocolate Shake

Codygadsby Report

#96

Last Minute Costume For Mr. Robot

Last Minute Costume For Mr. Robot

The_Punisher_SF Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#97

My Halloween Costume Was Easy This Year. My Wife's... Less So

My Halloween Costume Was Easy This Year. My Wife's... Less So

MarginallyClever Report

#98

Last-Minute Costume Idea

Last-Minute Costume Idea

gucci_bagel Report

Add photo comments
POST