Halloween costumes are only for kids — are words you will never hear me say! In fact, I dress up every year. If you need ideas for grownup DIY costumes for yourself, keep reading.
I often plan my costume months in advance. Of course, somewhere between planning and Halloween night, life happens, and I’m left piecing together my costume at the last minute. The good news: You can DIY a genius costume whether you have a few days or a few moments. All you need is an idea and a quick perusing of your inventory.
Below are 11 grownup DIY costumes for moms that require little time and expense. All are based on characters from media and film and may be instantly recognizable. Unless otherwise noted, I put them together with items I had on-hand.
3 Meme-orable Costumes
Have fun taking pictures in these grownup DIY costumes inspired by internet memes.
Pro tip: Carry a small dry-erase board to make your own memes all night.
No Ragrets
Do you have tattoos? Or should I say, any tattoos you regret? Not this person!
Costume essentials: White tank top, black hat, temporary ink
Optional: stud earrings, chain necklace, black bandana, arm tattoos
To achieve the look: I used black eyeliner and a mirror to write the letters on my chest, but it may be easiest to have a friend or partner write on you. Top with setting powder to prevent smudges.
Pro tip: If the handwriting looks terrible, don’t sweat it. No ragrets today, ma’am!
The Smug Laugh
You can feel the arrogance in the chuckle of the villainous Calvin Candie. Can you replicate the expression? I unsuccessfully attempted it many times, but it was hilarious to try.
Costume essentials: Slicked hair with side part; beard; dark suit jacket; white shirt with collar; dark ascot; gold vest; cordials glass
Optional: large ring; gold buttons; boutonniere
To achieve the look: Part and secure long hair in a low ponytail – tuck under to hide. Draw beard with face crayon. Fill your glass and get dressed as pictured.
Pro tip: Repurpose and borrow what you can. I found the carnation at Dollar Tree and pinned it to my lapel. The “vest” is actually two linen napkins I pinned behind my neck and tucked into the jacket and the “ascot” is a tank top I tied in place. The white shirt is my husband’s.
Random Protestor
If you have something to get off your chest, now is your chance! Like Dude with Sign, vent your smallest of frustrations in a big way this Halloween.
Costume essentials: Carboard sign; sunglasses
Optional: wig; 5-o’clock shadow
To achieve the look: Use your wit to create your protest sign and dress comfortably. I drew the beard with a face crayon.
Pro tip: Carry extra cardboard and a marker with you to make relevant protests all evening.
4 Empowering Costumes
Buckle up, baddies. These costumes are based on strong, fierce, and hard-working women.
Pro tip: Gain inspiration by reading about these characters or watching their films.
Rosie the Riveter
Rosie has been a symbol of the working woman since WWII. With one of the most recognizable torsos in the history of print media, you can capture her iconic look with just your top half.
Costume essentials: Blue collar shirt; red headband/wrap
Optional: Collar pin; 1940s hair and makeup
Pro-tip: Read up on who inspired Rosie to feel inspired yourself.
Praetorian
The film Furiosa immediately had my gears {get it?} turning and I wanted to be her for Halloween. Her Praetorian character is the most craft-intensive of the 11 costumes if you include the optional shoulder pad and skull belt.
Costume essentials: Black face paint; dark jacket; dark pants; boots; hair half-up and wavy
Extras: Belts; shoulder pad; utility belts; weapons
To achieve the look: Style hair half up and wavy/unbrushed. Cover forehead and upper eyelids in black makeup {as shown}. I used eye shadow. Secure shoulder pad belt to waist belts by feeding the belts through the buckles.
To make the shoulder pad: Using a costume helmet from Dollar Tree, I separated the face shield from the head piece and cut the head piece in half. I spray-painted it then placed a zip-tie in each of the pre-drilled holes {from the face shield attachment} and threaded a small belt through it.
To make the skull charm belt: Secure skull charm to metal ring using craft wire. Thread 8″ of wire through each side of the charm and wrap the ends around the metal ring until taut. Repeat the wire wrap at the bottom of the charm with another 8″ piece. Using needle-nose pliers, separate the cable chain into equal lengths and attach to the bottom of the metal ring. {I only had 36″ of cable chain to work with, so I added parts of an old necklace.} Thread the ring through one of your belts until it sits in the middle. When wearing this belt, buckle it in the back if needed.
Cruella
What makes dressing as Cruella so much fun is her fashion design instincts, depicted in the most recent live-action adaptation of her story. Tap into them to create your own Cruella look, as I’ve done here.
Costume essentials: Black and white wig; dramatic makeup; extravagant clothing
Extras: cane; jewelry; dalmatian or animal print
To achieve the look: Layer black choker; black fringe cape; black vest; black shorts; black fishnet tights; black boots. Cover exposed skin with makeup stick. I used this makeup tutorial for dramatic eye makeup and contouring.
Pro tip: Wear anything you think Cruella would wear.
Bella Baxter
Full disclosure, the film, Poor Things made me uncomfortable at first, and I did not immediately connect with the main character, Bella Baxter {also portrayed by Emma Stone – can you tell I’m a fan?}. But in the end, I found intrigue, beauty, and brilliance in Bella’s story.
Costume essentials: Long, un-styled hair; Victorian-era clothing; heeled boots
Extras: Long wig or extensions; puffy-sleeve jacket
To achieve the look: This costume is based on the dance scene. Minimal makeup with natural eyebrows. Hair is long and straight. Long pink skirt and white shirt are both thrifted. Peep-toe shoes are from my closet.
Pro tip: She has so many fun costumes in the film. If you have time to shop, check thrift stores for clothing options.
4 Silly and So, So Easy Costumes
These grownup DIY costumes take minutes to put together.
We Wear Pink
Halloween may not fall on a Wednesday, but we can still wear pink! Or borrow pink from a good pal of a different size?
Costume essentials: Oversized pink polo
Extras: Red hair coloring; freckles; bead bracelet
Pro tip: Watch Mean Girls to revisit the awkward and embarrassing experiences of high school.
Sheet Ghost
The Sheet Ghost may be overplayed as a Halloween decoration, but I assure you it is underrated as a costume. There is no costume on the planet that is as quick and transformative, and I promise you will have a great time taking pictures.
Costume essentials: Old twin sheet; sunglasses or regular glasses
To achieve the look: Drape a twin sheet overhead. Mark location of eye holes and sunglass bar holes. Remove sheet to cut holes then put back on and slide sunglasses through.
Pro tip: Sheet color really does not matter. Go traditional or go wild. This is also perfect for a quick singles’, couples’, or family costume.
BookTok Girlie
For some, this might not be a costume at all – more of an extension of your true self? Authenticity is so liberating, so grab your favorite book series and celebrate!
Costume essentials: You at your most comfortable; your favorite books or viral series
Extras: Velaris stars tattoos; blankets; house shoes
Pro tip: To make this portable, don’t forget a book bag!
Cousin Eddie
It’s not easy to combine holidays, but dressing as a Christmas character on Halloween is a solid option! This costume is both hilarious, comfortable, and reusable.
Costume essentials: Short white robe; trapper hat; boots
Extras: Beer can; mismatched belt; fake hose {for emptying the sh…}
Pro tip: Watch Christmas Vacation and stockpile some of Eddie’s lines to pepper into conversation.
More Inspiration for Grownup DIY Costumes
Not really feeling any of the above? Fret not. There is untapped costume potential everywhere you look. Here are a few more tips for a DIY costume.
- Check your streaming networks for your favorite shows and pick a character to dress as.
2. Print and cut out a company logo. Be a brand representative, in virtually any capacity.
3. If you have any cardboard laying around, you can make just about any prop with it – a mask, a creature, a weapon – anything. Add paint to bring it to life.
4. When in doubt, find a nearby thrift store and rummage through the racks. Sometimes the ideas will find you.
5. Read this article for Taylor Swift costumes.
If you use any of these grownup DIY costumes this year, I would love to see! Please tag Houston Moms in your social media posts and have a Happy Halloween!
