Last Minute Halloween Costumes

In our busy world, who has time to go shopping for the perfect Halloween costume? While many of you would like to dress up for Halloween, if even just to hand out candy, you may be overwhelmed by what it takes to dress up these days. Here are some quick easy last minute ideas.

Clown costume: The Pyjamas are basic wear for many quick Halloween costumes. Use a pair of pyjama bottoms for the bottom part of a clown’s costume. All you need to do is place rubber bands around the ankles to secure the pant legs and adjust to suit. For the top, find an over sized long sleeve t-shirt or fleece top. It does not have to match with the pyjamas. Place brightly colored garlands to fit around the neck of the shirt and secure with pins. Wrap these around the wrist as well and secure. Scrunch the garland up in balls and secure 3 down the front of the shirt. Paint your face and you are ready to go.

Michael Jackson: You will need a black pants, preferably tight, rolled up at the bottom to ensure your socks are showing. Add a pair of white socks, a white, red or other light colored jacket. A light spring jacket can also work. A white suit with a silky shirt underneath worn with chain belts around the hips are other options. Use a white glove and glue on sequins and top off with an old men’s felt hat. Now assume the moonwalk pose. 

Bride of Dracula: You will need an old white or black chiffon or lace type dress, short or long. Use a piece of similar color mesh fabric or cheese cloth and drape over head for the veil and secure with a headband. Now attach black roses and ribbons to the veil along with a bouquet of black or purple roses.

Witch: Pull that old black dress out of your closet – preferably long sleeved. Cut the hem and the sleeve edges in a zigzag manner and wear a broad belt of any color. If you don’t have a belt use a broad strip of fabric remnant or a scarf. Add the witch hat you have stored away in the basement and don’t forget your broom.

Hippie: This one is real easy. Doesn’t everyone have a loud flowered shirt in their closet which was brought back from some exotic locations? Add an Afro wig and use a brightly colored scarf as a headband. Alternately, you can wear a vest over the shirt and a long wig instead of the afro. You can also use a tie dye shirt with a rasta beanie hat. Accessorize with flower garland, flower in hair,  sun glasses and beads.

The Nerd: Its all in the hair. Wet hair and comb back away from face or alternately use a curly wig. Find your grandpa’s plaid, checkered or similar pants and add suspenders or  a belt,  a white tucked in shirt and top with a loud bow-tie and horn rimmed glasses. Act like you know a thing or two about computers.

You can generate more and similar ideas like the ones here simply by having an idea about what you want to wear as a costume and then looking at your basement, closet or thrift store. With a minimum of time and an eye for the quirky, you can put together an authentic looking Halloween costume with little or no effort or cost.