Your little black dress is the easiest answer to a Halloween [1] costume, especially since you have probably worn it before and already feel so comfortable in it. And while a breezy white dress [2] connotes summertime, LBDs help us usher [3] in autumn, so there's no better reason to construct your entire low-effort Halloween costume [4] around a black dress.
All of the costume ideas ahead start with a black dress, even if they do require some extra layering, involve face makeup [5], a wig, or additional accessories. Though some beg for a specific style (think a crisp white collar à la Beth Harmon in "The Queen's Gambit" or a full, flutter-sleeved design to achieve a bat), plenty of these creatures and characters can be pulled off [6] with the simplest of sheaths, whether yours is formfitting or loose, long or short.
Ahead, see how Instagram users and content creators worked a lace-trimmed mini into Karen from "Mean Girls [7]," a fringed silhouette into a '20s flapper with elbow-length gloves and a knotted strand of ivory pearls, a floor-sweeping maxi into a dead bride, and a velvet, off-the-shoulder skater dress into a cat.
Keep scrolling for Halloween [8] costumes you can build around an LBD.
— Additional reporting by Stephanie Steiner-Otoos and Samantha Sutton
Audrey Hepburn
Who doesn't love a little Holly Golightly [10] in their life? The iconic Givenchy number that Audrey wore in Breakfast at Tiffany's is fairly easy to re-create: just add accessories. Not really digging the whole cigarette holder bit? Trade it in for a cup of coffee and bagged breakfast from your local coffee shop.
Basic Ingredients: Sunglasses, a pearl necklace, a tiara, long black gloves, a cigarette holder, and black pumps.
Cruella de Vil
Cruella isn't exactly the nicest of Disney characters, but you must admit: the woman has style. Pair your LBD with a furry coat, red accents, and baby powder to half your head, and boom — your look is complete.
Basic Ingredients: A white furry coat and red gloves.
Black Cat
When you're in a jam, a simple cat costume comes to the rescue. Add a pair of ears and a choker to finish the look, and opt for a textured dress to give off the sentiment of fur.
Basic Ingredients: Cat ears and a choker necklace.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Pay homage to the notorious RBG [11] by reworking your LBD and adding a gavel for an iconic Halloween [12] costume.
Basic Ingredients: A long-sleeved black dress, glasses, and a lace collar.
Simple Witch
With the help of one standout hat, your costume is almost done — now all you need is a broom.
Basic Ingredients: A witch hat and a broom.
Wednesday Addams
This might be one of the easiest looks you can put together for Halloween [13]. The only thing you need to do is plait your hair and throw on a black dress.
Basic Ingredients: A white collar and plaits.
Skeleton
A tried-and-true Halloween [14] costume, being a skeleton never goes out of style. All you need are black-and-white face makeup and any other deadly accents you want to add.
Basic Ingredients: Black-and-white face paint and a bow (optional).
Bat
Fly high this year when you use your LBD to turn into a bat. Wear a black dress, and craft makeshift wings by cutting a wing-like design in a blanket or piece of cloth.
Basic Ingredients: Fabric to create wings and pointy ears.
Scream
This is a classic yet simple Halloween [15] costume. As long as you've got the mask, you can accessorise to your liking.
Basic Ingredients: A Scream mask and hooded cloak.
Sia
Be as mysterious as Sia for the night with her trademark black-and-white hairstyle and giant hair bow. You don't need dollar bills to have fun, but your compromised vision might require someone to lead you around the party.
Basic Ingredients: A giant hair bow, black-and-white hair, and a white button-up or blazer over your LBD.
Beanie Baby
Bring back the '90s in no time. Just pick your favourite animal to be, then make a Ty tag to complete this easy throwback costume.
Basic Ingredients: Animal ears and a homemade Ty tag.
"Black Swan"
The magic is in the makeup for this stunning costume. Copy Natalie Portman [16]'s character from the movie, Nina Sayers, with feathered eyes and dainty ballet flats.
Basic Ingredients: Ballet flats and glam makeup; tutu optional.
Grim Reaper
Just wear a black cape or hood over a black dress and complete the costume with the notorious scythe.
Basic Ingredients: A black hood and a fake scythe.
Bellatrix Lestrange
All you'll need are a wand and some temporary coloured hairspray to re-create this iconic Harry Potter [17] look.
Basic Ingredients: A wand, choker, and optional corset.
Beth Harmon
This "Queen's Gambit" look can be pulled off with an LBD and a red bob.
Basic Ingredients: A wig and crisply collared dress.
Maleficent
Being bad never looked so good. Turn into this "Sleeping Beauty" character when you wear a fierce horned headband and a black dress.
Basic Ingredients: Black horned headband.
Moira Rose
To dress up as this "Schitt's Creek [18]" icon, you'll need a black dress, plenty of statement jewels, dark shades, and a wig of your choosing.
Basic Ingredients: A black dress and all the drama-inducing accessories.
Karen From "Mean Girls"
"I'm a mouse, duh." Copy this "Mean Girls [19]" character by pairing a short black dress with mouse ears. Finish off the costume by adding a contrasting ribbon around your waist.
Basic Ingredients: A satin ribbon and mouse ears.
Morticia Addams
Who needs the rest of the family when you're the queen herself? Dress up as this Addams Family character by wearing dark eye makeup, red lipstick, and a dress with lacy sleeves.
Basic Ingredients: Dark eye makeup, red lipstick, and black lace.
Flapper
Bring back the roaring '20s when you channel your inner flapper. Wear kitten heels with a feather headband and dainty jewellery, and you'll be transported back in time.
Basic Ingredients: A feather headband and tasteful jewellery.
Raven
To pull off this look, top an all-black outfit with some black feathers.
Basic Ingredients: Black feathers or wings.
Bunny
Hop to it this Halloween [20] when you dress up as a chic bunny. You'll just need long bunny ears and a cotton tail to make this look jump up to the top of everyone's best dressed list.
Basic Ingredients: Bunny ears and a cotton tail.
Hilary Banks
The black dress is a staple for a Hilary Banks costume from "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air [21]." Just pile on the accessories, from a printed hat to a designer bag.
Basic Ingredients: A fancy hat and designer bag.
