Hello to a new year of creative Halloween costumes [1]! If you're looking for a funny, cute, quirky, or on-trend kind of costume, 2019 has all of that in store, and more. Whether you want a brainy play on words or an outfit that will make your fellow costume contest opponents laugh out loud, this year's costumes for adults will not disappoint. Check out the best costume ideas now, and beware, because they are scary good.
— Additional reporting by Lauren Harano
French Kiss
Get ready to rock in this punny costume. Pack on the face paint, add a beret, and seal it with a kiss.
One-Night Stand
It's safe to say that everyone will get a laugh out of this costume. Put a cardboard cutout on your shoulders and drape a sheet over it. Then add your must-have bedside essentials.
A Han Solo Cup and Princess Leia
A solo cup, but not a solo guy! This Star Wars twist is a cute couples costume idea.
Stop Hammer Time
You'll be dancing the night away in this punny ensemble. You will need a partner with this costume, so find another MC Hammer fan.
Pig in a Blanket
We like to call this punny costume food for thought. Snuggle up in your coziest blanket, put on a pig nose, and start bacon moves!
Trés Leches
This sweet couple requires two other friends and a quirky sense of humor. Wear shirts that say "leche" or milk on them and let people have fun guessing what you are.
First Base
Only take things as far as first base on Halloween [3] with the help of this costume! Dress up as a baseball player and put kiss marks wherever you please.
She Sells Seashells
Turn the old nursery rhyme into a costume by going incognito and dressing up in a trench coat with seashells lined on the inside. It might take people a minute to get it, but it's a fun costume regardless.
News Flash
News flash: this is the coolest costume ever. Put newspaper pages all over your body (best if you wear something underneath them), and then cover your outfit in a large trench coat. You know what to do next.
The Punchline
Think you're funny? Then you should be the punchline! Dress up as a boxer and place a long piece of paper across your boxing glove and be ready for your cue.
Killer Clown
Clowns are scary as is, so this killer clown definitely takes it up a notch. You can DIY [4] this costume with some fun mix-and-match clothing and face paint.
Seal of Approval
If people are dying for your approval, you might as well give them the seal. This costume is a mix of clever and cute, so have some fun with it.
Travel Bug
If you have a passion for traveling, a travel bug costume was made for you! Bring your passport, camera, and favorite pair of antennas.
Struck by Lightening
Set your costume idea on fire with this lightening ensemble. Have one person attach a large lightening bolt to their outfit, while the other person wears tattered clothes and a disheveled look.
Bread Winner
Who's the breadwinner in your house? With this costume, you both are! Simply attach ribbons and medals to your shirts and carry around a piece of bread. Your work here is done.
Coach-Cello
A fun couples costume for music-lovers, dressing up as Coachella, or Coach-cello, might look a little different than one might think. Have one person dress up as a sport's coach and the other as, well, a cello. Feel free to get creative with this costume.
Joy to the World
You'll make everyone happy when you dress up as this punny costume. Have one person decorate a large piece of cardboard with postage stamps and the correct addressing and have the other wear a postman uniform, and you'll spread joy all across the world.
A Shrimp on the Barbie
Cute, creative, and ideal for any anyone with a sense of humour, dressing up as a shrimp on the "barbie" will win you applause for the rest of the year. Find a Barbie shirt or make your own, and keep your eyes peeled for a shrimp hat. You are ready to take on the holiday!
Panda-Monium
Cause all the right kind of mayhem in a panda-monium costume. Put on panda ears and dark eye makeup, and write "panda-monium" or just "monium" on a white shirt. Then see how long it takes people to get it!
A Paper Grading Papers
Kids will love the irony of their papers being graded . . . by a giant piece of paper. Perfect costume for a teacher!
Poison Ivy
To become Poison Ivy (not to be confused with the 1992 Drew Barrymore [5] movie), you'll want to deck yourself out in green and top off your look with some fiery red hair.
Old Fart
How do you look at this and not laugh? You can definitely make this yourself if you're crafty, and the addition of some good makeup, a grey wig, and glasses take it to the next level.
Dandelion
Talk about creative! Be the dandelion that everyone wants to make a wish on by attaching long rods with cotton puffs on the end to a secure hat. Complete the costume with a shirt that says "blow me" or "make a wish."
Miss Universe
Step aside, Priyanka Chopra — you, too, can be Miss Universe for the night. Use anything from a little black dress to a trash bag for your universe, and decorate it with an array of colourful planets (with bonus points for scientific accuracy).
Devil Wears Prada
Not everyone can pull off a Meryl Streep [6] costume, but dressing up as a devil wearing Prada is easy — you can even write 'Prada' across a plain shirt if, like most people, you don't happen to have anything from Prada lying around.
Rosie the Riveter
If you want to be something iconic (and easy!), Rosie the Riveter is calling your name. A red bandana and blue jean shirt will bring this costume to life.
Tin Man
A Tin Man costume is all about the accessories! Pair a silver or black dress with a tin hat and ax, and feel free to add silver makeup or hair colouring to your outfit.
Crazy Cactus Lady
You've heard of a crazy cat lady, but what if you're a crazy cactus lady? A messy 'do and a plant-printed outfit is all you need for this look.
Deviled Egg
Everyone will get a laugh out of this creative costume. Just draw on a little yellow to a white shirt and put on a pair of devil horns, and let this costume win Halloween [7].
Scarecrow
Perfect for the Fall and easy for any costume party during the year, being a scarecrow never gets old. Find your cutest flannel and pair of overalls and complete the look with a touch of cute makeup.
Cat Burglar
The cat's out of the bag, because this costume is punny and cute. Put on cat ears with a striped shirt, and don't forget your bag of loot.
Resting Witch Face
Take a classic witch costume to the next level by putting a funny spin on it. Make a shirt that says "resting witch face," and you are sure to have everyone under your spell.
Woodland Fairy
This dreamy costume idea is all you need to have a magical Halloween [8]. Find a flowy dress and attach faux flowers to it with safety pins. Add a flower crown and wings for an extra dreamlike touch.
Blind Mouse
The more, the merrier for this costume! Find two other friends to dress up with you, and you can all be the three blind mice. Just add ears, a cane, and sunglasses to finish off your costume.
Mad Scientist
If you have a white coat and test tube, then consider being a mad scientist. This costume can get as creative as you want it to, so don't be afraid to add some crazy-cute makeup to go along with it.
"I'm a Mouse, Duh"
Whether you want to be Minnie Mouse or a Karen Smith Mean Girls [9] version of a mouse, this costume is easy enough for anyone.
Blooming in Beauty
Dressing up as a beautiful bouquet requires nothing but craft skills. Once you create the flowers, simply attach them to your outfit of choice and tie a bow around your waist. Done and done!
Cactus
Have an old green sweater lying around? Then you're halfway there! Just stick Q-Tips or pipe cleaners onto your sweater and pair the look with brown or green pants.
Roy Lichtenstein Inspired Pop Art Print
If you want your Halloween [10] costume to be a work of art, then opt for a Roy Lichtenstein-inspired costume. This one is all about the makeup, so be sure to have your palettes ready!
It's Raining Men
Hallelujah! It's raining men! Make your own umbrella or attach photos of your favourite men to an umbrella and let the fun begin. Finish off the outfit with a raincoat or waterproof poncho.
Loofah
For this squeaky-clean costume, you need a stack of tulle skirts, a small loop of rope, and a little rubber ducky to glue to a barrette.
A Blessing in Disguise
Cute, creative, and oh-so-easy, dressing up as a blessing in disguise is a blessed costume idea. Find a cute mask and a name tag, and you're ready to go!
The Rainbow Fish
Don't just be an ordinary fish — take inspiration from the classic children's book and transform yourself into The Rainbow Fish instead.
Frida Kahlo
Channel the Mexican self-portrait artist and feminist icon with a floral crown, bold red lips, and as bold a unibrow as you dare.
Ms. Pac-Man
Dress up as everyone's favourite man eater by making a little black dress into the classic video arcade game. Don't forget your red bow and heeled booties!
Flamenco Girl Emoji
You'll tear up the dance floor all night in a red-hot asymmetrical dress and strappy red heels.
Jellyfish
If you really want to light up a room, we suggest this crafty costume, which is easy enough to make with battery-operated LED lights, some sheer and metallic fabrics, and a shower cap.
Crazy Cat Lady
All you need for this one is a housecoat, wild hair, too much lipstick, and too many stuffed cats — extra credit if you already own them.
Hipster Ariel
With a fiery red wig, giant frames, and a green A-line skirt, you'll totally get to be a part of their world, or whatever.
Quailman
Dress up as Doug Funnie's alter ego with Doug's signature green vest and khakis, plus Quailman's red cape and belt headpiece. Bonus points for wearing your underwear outside of your shorts.
A Bump in the Night
Things that go bump in the night are usually terrifying, but with this starry night ensemble, you'll look adorable.
Beeyoncé
There's only one Queen Bey, but you can still Beeyoncé — just don yellow and black and add some wings.
Taco Belle
Channel Beauty and the Beast with this adorable costume, but rather than carrying around books, you'll be toting a Quesarito instead.
Identity Theft
It may not be easy for the cutie you meet at the Halloween [11] party to remember your name, but it will be worth it for this hilarious (and hilariously easy) costume.
Twister
It's a twister! This costume is almost too easy — just fashion a Twister game board into a dress — and as an added bonus, everyone will want to play with you all night long.
Troll Doll
You may have been freaked out by those silly naked troll dolls as a kid, but you'll love dressing up as one as an adult. All you need is a nude bodysuit, a plastic gem for your belly button, and some major hair volume.
Sia
Be as mysterious as Sia for the night with her trademark black-and-white wig 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.
A Bag of Eminems
Sure, you can't eat these kind of M&Ms, but once you fashion yourself a dress out of a trash bag, you'll get to decorate with the Marshall Mathers printouts of your choosing.
French Toast
No foreign language skills or culinary skills are required for this sweet and simple costume.
Sugar Mama
Got a baby carrier? Got a bag of sugar? Congratulations, it's a costume!
Copy Cat
Anyone can wear a pair of cat ears, but only the most clever partygoers see an opportunity for the perfect pun.
Trap Queen
Again, not sure Fetty Wap would really appreciate this one, but when you affix mouse traps to a regal robe, everyone else certainly will. Just make sure you don't trap any of your party guest's fingers by accident.
No Scrubs
Not sure this is what TLC had in mind, but if you have a pair of scrubs lying around, then this reinterpretation totally works.
Social Butterfly
Decorate a plain t-shirt with the social media apps of your choice, then add wings and antennae. Don't forget to take a selfie!
Fantasy Football
Rep your favourite football team while also getting to wear a tulle skirt and a pair of wings.
Smarty Pants
This costume is easy and cute — dress up in geek chic, and then stick on a bunch of Smarties rolls.
ZomBeyoncé
There's only one Queen Bey, but anyone can be a Zombie Beyoncé. Channel your favourite Beyoncé look and then use your makeup skills to transform yourself into a member of the undead.