For Halloween [1] this year, all that matters is that you have a DIY Halloween costume [2] that's easy, simple, and cute, because no one needs more hassle in their life (especially in 2021). Maybe you're looking to save money by pulling something out of your wardrobe. Or you are the complete opposite and want to go big and bold to create a costume [3] no one will forget. Either way, making a costume from things lying around will more often than not yield a scary-good result.
Check out these DIY [4] Halloween costume ideas that range from extremely simple to ones that might require a little more work. No matter what your situation is, you can have an unforgettable outfit. So grab a glue gun and a pair of scissors, and let's get crafty!
— Additional reporting by Haley Lyndes and Lauren Harano
Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Pay tribute to RBG with a Halloween [6] look that demands justice. All that's needed is a cool collar (you know how much RBG loved her collars) and a black robe.
Spice Girls
If you and your friends friends want to go in on a costume together, being the Spice Girls is as good as it gets. Have everyone dress up as their favourite singer and just strike their famous pose.
Frankenstein's Monster
Spooky, scary, and simply too easy not to re-create. Just wear black clothes, draw some stitches on your face, and channel your inner monster.
Sasha Bratz Doll
Etch the word "Bratz" into a white T-shirt, cut out the top, and throw your hair into a few pigtails to get the true Sasha Bratz doll look. Take it a step further and re-create Sasha's awesome makeup look to complete the costume.
WWII-Era Army Girl
An olive-green blazer with a tasteful pencil skirt will give this wartime outfit the old-school vibes it needs. Curl your hair and pin it back to complete the look.
Slytherin Student
A white collared shirt, a green striped tie, and a black blazer will turn you into a Slytherin student from Harry Potter [7] in no time.
Scar From The Lion King
If you're a makeup-lover, this Scar from The Lion King look is out of this world.
Rue From Euphoria
Head into your closet and pick out an oversize jacket, pair it over an all-black outfit, and ta-da, you're Rue! The most important part of the whole look is Rue's signature glitter tears, so don't forget them.
Minnie Mouse
A red polka-dotted dress and a matching bow is all this Minnie Mouse outfit needs.
Jack Skellington From The Nightmare Before Christmas
Any striped black and white clothing item will do! Just make sure you're adding another accessory, like a top hat or skeleton makeup, so you don't look like a prisoner.
Beret Girl From An Extremely Goofy Movie
As long as you have the makeup and hair down, you can become P.J.'s love interest in moments. And the makeup doesn't look too hard!
Snow White From Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
You don't need a gown to become Snow White! This denim crop top and yellow skirt will do.
Belle From Beauty and the Beast
Turn into Belle with a knee-length blue skirt, a collared white shirt, a straw bag, and most importantly, a book!
Gabriella From Brink!
Gabriella from Brink! didn't mess around, and neither does this costume. Overalls and rollerblades are all that's needed to achieve this skater vibe.
Nebula From Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century
To become the best friend of Zenon, it's important that your space outfit is on point. A pink bodysuit, leggings, and a purple vest and skirt pull it all together. Bonus points if you do the hair and fanny pack, too.
Ariel From The Little Mermaid
Who says you have to wear an actual tail and bra to become Ariel? Instead, opt for something much easier, like this simple outfit.
Susie From Rugrats
To dress as Susie Carmichael is to be as cosy as one could possibly be. Purple leggings or shorts, a yellow T-shirt with purple felt patches glued to it, and red shoes are all it takes to complete this costume.
Magda From There's Something About Mary
Magda's hilarious character can be translated into a deep tan, a bright shirt, a martini, and a (fake) cigarette.
Erica Sinclair From Stranger Things
Yup, turning into Erica Sinclair is as easy as a yellow T-shirt and overalls. If you want to go big, the helmet is definitely a nice touch.
Wednesday Addams From The Addams Family
Braid your hair into matching pigtails and wear an all-black outfit. You'll want a white shirt underneath your top, though, for Wednesday's usual white collar to show through.
Cher Horowitz From Clueless
A yellow checkered outfit and sassy attitude will make this Clueless outfit complete. High white socks and white heels will add the finishing touches.
The Evil Queen From Snow White
Dark hair, red lips, and a tempting apple will instantly turn you into Queen Grimhilde from Snow White. Wear a black cape or hoodie for the full effect.
Cat and Dog From CatDog
If you were a fan of this animated series, being Cat and Dog is right up your alley. Find a partner and wear orange and yellow outfits with cat and dog ears, then let the fun begin.
Bat
If you have a black dress and pointy ears, the only thing left that you'll need to be a bat is a makeshift cape. Cut a wing-like design in a blanket or piece of cloth and take on the night!
Campfire
Turn up the heat on this year's Halloween [8] costume by dressing as a smoking hot campfire. Wear a red or orange shirt and stick on crafty construction paper to really bring the heat. Just add marshmallows!
Ramen
If you have an old Frisbee lying around, consider transforming it into a big bowl of ramen for your next costume. Just add noodles and your favourite toppings to the dish, and everyone will want to eat you up!
Kim Possible From Kim Possible
If you have cargo trousers and a black crop top, dressing up as Kim Possible will get you through any sitch. Make sure everyone knows that they can call you and beep you if they want to reach you.
Rosie the Riveter
If you have a red bow or bandana, you can easily be the iconic Rosie the Riveter. Just pair the bandana with an all-denim outfit.
Wine Bottle
A wine bottle label is pretty easy to draw or paint on a piece of fabric that you can attach to whatever dress you want to wear. Then you just need a rolled-up piece of paper to wear on your head for your cork.
Party Animals
You can wear a party hat with any kind of animal shirt you have lying around the house. Easy enough!
Minnie Mouse
Any combination of red and black for an outfit will really work for a Minnie Mouse costume as long as you have her signature ears on your head.
Moaning Myrtle From Harry Potter
If you don't mind wearing a toilet seat around as part of your costume, you can be Moaning Myrtle. Also remember to dress for Hogwarts, which includes a wizard robe.
Care Bears
The Care Bears logos are pretty easy to paint onto fabric that you can attach to a shirt to match your bear. Don't forget your cute little bear ears.
Eleven From Stranger Things
There are a few ways you can dress up as Eleven, but as long as you have your Eggos, everyone will know who you are.
Flight Attendant
Most skirt suits will work to create this costume, so it's all in the hat and the name tag. To be an old-school flight attendant, you'll want a dainty hat, and you should also have a name tag with your airline on it.
Devilled Egg
How cute is this? Wear devil horns with a white shirt that has a yellow circle in the middle, and just like that, you're a devilled egg.
Picasso Painting
Go wild splattering yourself with bright colours of paint and frame yourself in a similarly painted picture frame. Picasso's art is one of a kind and your costume will be too.
Photoshop
Make the Photoshop logo on a plain blue sweatshirt and carry around the program's "tools" in their real form.
Risky Business
If you don't mind going trouser-less, you can easily re-create this look with just a white button-up, socks, and sunglasses
Damien From Mean Girls
Remember when Damien wore a dark sweatshirt with the hood pulled up to hide out among the girls? Wear that with a sign that says "She doesn't even go here!" to re-create this character.
Robber
All this costume requires is black pants, a striped shirt, black gloves, a black hat, and a mask. Make sure you're sneaky all night so you don't blow your cover.
Dustin From Stranger Things
Pull out your trainers, cords, checkered shirt, denim jacket, and ball cap for this Stranger Things [9] look. But don't forget the pudding. Dustin would never forget the pudding.
Baywatch Lifeguards
If you don't mind a little nudity, this costume just requires red swim trunks and a whistle. Running around saving lives is totally optional on your part.
Tourist
Time to get the bum bag out of the attic! Think of the the most touristy-looking tourists you've ever seen on holiday and channel them. We're talking socks with sandals, cameras, giant water bottles, maps, hats, the whole nine yards.
Bubble Gum
Find any dress and make a bubble gum label for the front and attach pink balloons to yourself to be your bubbles.
Plankton From SpongeBob SquarePants
A green bodysuit with an eye patch is all you need to be this iconic SpongeBob SquarePants character. Complete the costume with an evil grin.