40 Cheap Halloween Costumes for 2024 That You Can Make in a Pinch
No time? No money? No problem!
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When I was a kid, I dreaded Halloween. Not because I was easily frightened (though, I am), but because I could never come up with a cool or funny Halloween costume. And whatever ideas I did come up with were too elaborate and expensive to actually work. It’s only now, as an adult, that I have discovered a talent for finding easy and cheap Halloween costumes that won’t break the bank. Before you start worrying that “cheap Halloween costumes” is code for “crafty Halloween costumes” or intricate Halloween makeup, rest assured, there is little-to-no DIY required to make any of these easy Halloween costumes. Bless!
Now, when I talk about cheap Halloween costumes, I'm referring to looks that are both inexpensive and very low-effort. Some costumes can easily be bought on Amazon, and some you might be able to create out of items you already have in your closet. It turns out the secret to coming up with an easy Halloween costume is simple: You gotta work with what you got! And if what you’ve got is a closet full of old clothes and an Amazon Prime membership, you can make any one of these 40 cheap Halloween costumes before you can say, “Trick or treat!”
Regina George from Mean Girls
Need something immediately recognizable and cheap? Look no further than Regina George's trend-setting boob-cut-out top. Just take a tank top, cut out circles on the chest and wear a brightly colored bra (preferably purple, but you can work with what you got!) Just don't be surprised if next Halloween all the girls are doing the same thing.
Challengers
Full disclosure: if you want to splurge on the actual "I Told Ya" shirt worn by Zendaya's character in Challengers, that's going to cost you $330. However, you can easily make your own with a blank t-shirt and some sticker or iron-on letters!
Squid Game
Sure, Squid Game had its Halloween peak in 2021, but that just means you'll have a better chance of standing out in the crowd this October 31st! Green tracksuits aren't always the cheapest, but you can find some that are pretty reasonably priced and wear again as loungewear or pajamas. Think of it less as a costume and more as an investment.
Wednesday Addams
All you need to channel Wednesday Addams: a black dress (preferably with a sharp collar that you can also DIY), dark hair (or a black wig) worn in two braids, dark nail polish, and a big ole scowl.
Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen
Disney's Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen is one of the most iconic movies of the early aughts. DIY a Coca-Cola necklace with some bottle caps and pull out your old fishnets.
The Princess Diaries
You probably saw everyone on Halloween last year channeling Hailey Bieber à la The Princess Diaries, but that's because it's literally the easiest, quickest costume ever. Grab some '90s sunnies, headphones, a tiara, and a lil white dress—most of which you probably already have in your closet.
Captain Underpants
This costume might only consist of a pair of boxer briefs and a cape, but anyone who was a fan of Captain Underpants would get it right away. Don't have a red cape? Use a red blanket or towel instead.
Elvira Hancock from Scarface
Idk what's more iconic, Michelle Pfeiffer in Scarface or Olivia Rodrigo channeling Michelle Pfeiffer in Scarface. Any blue dress will work, but you'll def need a short blonde wig with bangs to pull it all together.
Barbie
2016 Beyoncé was ahead of the game. What makes a Barbie costume so great is that there are literally so many options to choose from. Running late? Head-to-toe pink (that's most likely already in your closet) will do the trick.
RuPaul
Winnie Harlow as RuPaul is *chef's kiss*. You'll absolutely need a platinum blonde wig, but the real secret to getting this costume right is to perfect RuPaul's fabulous drag makeup.
Black Swan
Looking for a costume for you and your BFF? Natalie Portman's Black Swan gives you a two-for-one-deal. Really, the only thing you need to buy is a black or white tutu, then use a simple black or white bodysuit to tie together the rest of the costume.
Alexis Rose from Schitt's Creek
Dressing up as Alexis Rose is easy—statement gold jewelry, floppy hats, and a boho-esque dress'll do it. Oh, and don't forget to always be texting and hollering for "David!!"
Napoleon Dynamite
IMO, Napoleon Dynamite and Pedro Sánchez are the most iconic duo there is, and this BFF costume is super easy to recreate. For Pedro, draw on some mustache whiskers and wear a button-up shirt with a bolo tie. For Napoleon, the classic glasses, curly wig, and "Vote for Pedro" shirt will do the trick.
Carrie Bradshaw 2.0
You could always don a tulle skirt to channel Carrie's OG Sex and The City look, but the most lol-worthy moment from the sequel series can come together in a snap: blue cardigan, long gingham dress, rubber gloves, and handkerchief around the face. You probably already have the big sunglasses, tbh.
Anna Wintour
Anything tweed will work for an Anna Wintour costume. But the most important part: big sunglasses, a blunt bob wig, and a thoroughly unimpressed facial expression.
Amanda Seyfried as Elizabeth Holmes
You can always go in the all-black, red lipstick look that Holmes was known for. But if you wanna pull off a more subtle reference, pick one of the early college outfits Amanda's rocking in The Dropout (hello, '90s rust-colored sweater and striped Oxford!) and then practice randomly lowering your voice while you pitch your big "idea."
Sandy from Grease
An all-black 'fit with red shoes and lipstick makes this such an easy costume (and a lovely tribute to the late Olivia Newton-John). But curl your hair and don't forget about the leather jacket, of course.
A Goth
Wear all black everything (even lipstick) to pull off this costume. Statement jewelry, fishnet tights, and heavy eyeliner are key.
Little Women
Cottagecore has been a trend for a few years now, so all you'll need for this is that nap or prairie dress you already have in your closet. Add a straw hat and lace-up shoes, and you'll look like you could pen a novel. This also works as a fun group costume too!
Little Red Riding Hood
Conversely, wear all red pleather and don a cape to seem like you came straight out of this classic tale. A picnic basket for grandma helps seal the deal.
Olivia Truffaut-Wong is an editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers beauty, entertainment, and lifestyle. She loves finding and testing the best skincare products to recommend, like the best tinted sunscreens, and is always researching the best cat accessories for her fur baby. She has over 10 years of experience as an entertainment and culture writer and editor, and her work has been featured in The Cut, Refinery29, Teen Vogue, Polygon, Bustle, and more.
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![west hollywood, california october 29: lizzo performs onstage during the ghost town halloween party with parcasts obsessed hosts benito skinner and mary beth barone, prestented by spotify on october 29, 2021 in west hollywood, california. (photo by michael kovac/getty images for spotify)](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/gettyimages-1350175666-68e57ac09fff0.jpg?crop=1.00xw:0.667xh;0,0&resize=360:* "Spotify Presents: Ghost Town Halloween Party with Parcast's "Obsessed" Hosts Benito Skinner and Mary Beth Barone")
