Guys, we know that shopping for a Halloween costume [1] is a time-consuming task, and odds are you probably don't even have to. If you want a funny costume that will be the best of the best, trust us when we say there's something so gratifying about making your own Halloween costume [2] out of whatever's lying around the house, and sometimes you just need a little inspiration to make sense of the random clothes you have hiding in your closet. You know that flannel shirt you haven't worn in ages will work for some kind of costume [3] . . . but, what is it? Well, fellas, we have answers for you, ranging from simple ideas to ones that will take a little more effort. Keep reading for more than 40 DIY costume ideas that you can throw together [4] with minimal effort with things you probably already have. These are scary good.
— Additional reporting by Lauren Harano
Ron Swanson From Parks and Recreation
You'll need your best surly face and a love of meat, buffets, and meat buffets to pull off the Ron Swanson look. You'll also need khakis, a flannel shirt, and a badass mustache.
Harry Potter
Harry's outfits vary widely throughout the series, so the crucial parts of this look are just his glasses, wand, and lightning bolt scar. Ten points to Gryffindor if you also carry a white owl and call her Hedwig.
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.
Dustin From Stranger Things
Pull out your sneakers, cords, plaid shirt, denim jacket, and ball cap for this Stranger Things [6] look. But don't forget the pudding. Dustin would never forget the pudding.
The Devil Wears Prada
A little red goes a long way here, as does a devilish smile. Dress in all black, and if you have any Prada, well, the more, the better.
Dairy of a Wimpy Kid
If you grew up reading Dairy of a Wimpy Kid, then this costume is for you. All you need is a large sheet of paper (be sure to cut out an area that you can breathe out of!) and a black and white outfit. No one will think you're wimpy when you're wearing a costume this creative.
Half Dead
All you need for this killer costume is face paint, and you're ready to go. You can wear any outfit you want with this look, but black is always a good call.
Charlie Brown
If you're a fan of the Peanuts (Let's be honest, who isn't?), dressing up as Charlie Brown is right up your alley. A yellow collared shirt can easily be transformed into Charlie Brown's iconic outfit with a little marker, so get to work! Remember to "be yourself. No one can say you're doing it wrong."
A Transformer
Creativity is key when it comes to making your own Transformers costume. Styrofoam boxes and big bulky gear will do the trick. It won't be long before you can be "built" just like them.
Athlete
Whether you played baseball, football, football, or any sport in the middle, dressing up as an athlete for Halloween [7] is always a safe bet. Once you find one of your old uniforms, it's game time.
Hippie
If you have a turtleneck, bell-bottoms, or a groovy kind of style, fitting in with the '70s theme won't be too far out for you. Peace sign accessories and tie-dye are a must, too. Get groovy!
Woody From Toy Story
Dressing up as Woody from Toy Story is easier than you might think. Jeans, a yellow shirt, and cowboy hat will do the trick, and if you're feeling extra creative, you can always put a snake in your boot. Giddy-up partner!
A Whole Snack
If you know you're a snack, flaunt it! All you have to do for this costume is safety-pin candy, sweets, and salty treats onto your shirt, and everyone will eat you up.
Forrest Gump
If you're ready to run, Forrest, run, you'll need a dirty white t-shirt, some shorts, a hat (preferably with the Bubba Gump logo), and a very long beard. Then get running!
Mime
Be ready to be quiet during your Halloween [8] party if you go as a mime or the costume won't work! Wear black pants, a black-and-white-striped t-shirt, black gloves, and a black hat. Keep your mouth shut all night and use only your hands to communicate.
Aquaman
Whether you choose to be a clothed Aquaman or a shirtless [9] one is up to you, but fake tattoos are a must, as well as a trident. Long, wind-swept hair is also a good idea!
Maverick From Top Gun
You can be any of the guys from Top Gun with this basic outfit. You'll need a grey jumpsuit, dog tags, and aviators to be one of these superfly guys.
50 Shades of Grey
The steamy Fifty Shades stories won't be going out of style anytime soon, so why not channel the series title itself? Use paint-sample chips in as many different shades of grey as you can find and attach them all over your outfit.
Derek Zoolander
Derek Zoolander's iconic look is easy to re-create. If you don't have a zebra-print jacket, you can paint an already white or black one with stripes. The most important part, though, is your Blue Steel look.
The Most Interesting Man in the World
If you're a fan of Dos Equis, this costume is for you. You can be the Most Interesting Man in the World simply by donning your best black suit and carrying a bottle of Dos Equis all night.
Bruce Lee
This costume calls for a yellow outfit from head to toe. You can add the signature black stripes down the side easily with electrical tape. And don't forget your nunchucks.
Ross Geller From Friends
Make sure you wear two name tags that say both "Ross" and "Dr. Geller" so everyone knows who you are. Also, if you walk around yelling, "Pivot!" and "We were on a break!" no one will be confused about your costume. Promise.
Chip Gaines
Just dress up like a carpenter in your best flannel and talk about how much you love JoJo and your kids. Also carry a hammer, obviously.
Mad-Eye Moody From Harry Potter
You can create Mad-Eye's mad eye by cutting a white ball in half and gluing it to a strip of fabric you can tie around your head. Complete the look with a black robe and wand.
Flynn Rider From Tangled
This princely costume is fairly easy to re-create. You'll need khakis, a white button-up, and a blue vest to be this handsome Tangled character.
Jareth the Goblin King
David Bowie fans: this one is for you. With black boots, grey leggings, a white shirt, and a black vest, you too can be the goblin king. But only if you have a killer mullet to go with it all.
Sorcerer Mickey
If you can get your hands on a pair of Mickey Mouse ears, you can easily be Sorcerer Mickey. You just need a red sweatshirt and black pants with a gold cord tied around your waist.
Skittles
This is more fun if you've got a group, but you'll need a solid-coloured shirt that you can attach a large "S" to. Just like that, you're all Skittles.
Joyce's Wall From Stranger Things
Even if you've never seen the show, you probably recognise the wall of letters from Joyce's house on Stranger Things [10]. Write the letters on a shirt and either attach working Christmas lights or baubles that look like Christmas lights.
Surfer
You should already have everything this costume requires: swim shorts, sandals, and a t-shirt. Lei and surfboard are optional.
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.
Olive From Easy A
This costume isn't just reserved for the ladies. You can be like Olive from Easy A (or Scarlet in The Scarlet Letter) with an A emblazoned on whatever you choose to wear.
Nerd
This one's easy! Hike up your shorts or pants, pull up your socks as high as they'll go, and wear a bow tie or suspenders for good measure. If you can find some glasses and even tape up the nosepiece, that'll be the icing on the nerdy cake.
A T-Bird From Grease
You'll need to slick back your hair and carry your comb around to be one of the T-Birds. Roll up your black pants a little and throw on a denim jacket to complete the look.
Marty McFly From Back to the Future
It's all denim all the time for Marty McFly. If you've got something lying around the attic from the '80s, you'll be all set.
Garden Gnome
It's so easy to be these adorable garden gremlins! If you don't have a pointed red hat handy, you can make one out of felt. Wear it with your best flannel and a long white beard.
Ursula From The Little Mermaid
The deep blue sea is no match for this insane Ursula costume. One easy way you can make the tentacles is by using black tights filled with stuffing and tied together around your waist. Finish the look by painting yourself purple and wearing a flashy red lipstick.
Jughead From Riverdale
Why not dress as our favourite Riverdale [11] character for Halloween [12] this year? To be Jughead, you'll need to be in all black with a leather jacket, for sure. Jughead's other staples are his grey beanie and flannel tied around his waist.
Shark
Look, we understand when time gets away from you and your Halloween [13] party is only five minutes away. We also understand that you might have a onesie in your closet, and now is the time to use it. This shark one makes dressing up SO easy.
Sims Characters
To be a Sims character, you can dress however you want. You just need a diamond over your head, which you can make with a drugstore headband and green paper.
Scientist
Wow all your party guests with your science knowledge . . . or just the sweet costume you threw together that makes you SEEM smart. You just need a white jacket, gloves, and protective glasses to pull off the scientist look.
Robber
All this costume requires are 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.
Woodchuck
How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood? He would chuck one piece of wood, labeled "chuck." Done.