Every year without fail, away football games, homecoming, and my sorority’s Big Little night always fell right around Halloween, leaving me with pretty much zero funds to invest in an awesome costume. So, what’s a girl to do when she’s broke but still wants a rockin’ costume? Find free Halloween costume ideas, that’s what.
Don’t worry friends, CF is to the rescue! In this post, I’ve listed 29 non-lame and non-lazy easy Halloween costumes that you can create from pieces that you (or one of your BFFs) will certainly have in your closet.
Let’s get right to it!
Easy Halloween Costumes: Witchy Costumes
1. Sabrina Spellman
This show has some amazing outfits, and I’m not just saying it because most of them have vintage aesthetic. (See our full Sabrina Spellman style guide for more on our leading lady’s look!)
A Sabrina costume is pretty simple, just use a red off-the-shoulder sweater, a black skirt, and a black headband. Bonus points if you can find a black cat to follow you around.
Alternate idea: A Prudence Night costume would be easy to do as well, if you have hair styling skills and/or prefer an edgier vibe!
2. Wednesday Addams
I love this easy Halloween costume. It’s so simple, but everyone will know who you are.
For this, you need a black dress with a collar or a black dress and a white shirt with a collar. Bonus points if you can get the pigtails and act like you don’t care about anything.
{RELATED POST: 13 Little Black Dress Halloween Costume Ideas}
3. Mary Poppins
For this costume, you need a white button-down shirt, a black skirt, and an umbrella. See if any guys you know have a red bow tie.
Bonus points if you can get your hands on a black hat like this one, which you could adorn with cheap fake flowers.
4. Modern Witch
With a black dress, some white tights, black boots, and a round hat you’ve got yourself a costume worthy of the coven from American Horror Story.
5. Black cat
You can do basically anything for this outfit. You just need to have black clothing of some sort. (And I’m pretty sure every CF reader has some black clothing.)
If you draw some whiskers on your face and get some cheap cat ears like these from Amazon, you’ll be the finest feline of the night.
Easy Halloween Costumes: Disney Costumes
6. Kim Possible
You can use khaki pants or green cargo pants for this. Then you need a black long-sleeve shirt and some riding gloves.
Bonus points if you can find a belt to hold all your gadgets, and ask everyone you meet, “What’s the sitch?”
7. Snow White
This costume, seen on ColorMeCourtney, is pretty easy to put together.
If you have a yellow skirt or pants and a blue shirt you’re pretty much set. Red shoes and red hair bow like this one (which a lot of people have used for Snow White costumes) help tie the whole look together.
Bonus points if you can find something apple-themed like this bag to take with you. (Or just grab an apple from the dining hall…)
8. Alice in Wonderland
You could do this costume and the next one as a group with your BFF or your significant other.
You need white tights, a black bow, a blue dress, and a white apron. If you had a long blue dress and a white apron you could do this as a Belle costume from Beauty and the Beast.
9. White Rabbit
This costume is adorable and it only has a few components. Also, can we talk about how cute that purse is, I’ll take ten.
For this easy Halloween costume, you just need a white dress, red blazer, white tights, rabbit ears, and something clock themed like this.
Easy Halloween Costumes: From movies and tv shows
10. Kimmy Schmidt
There is an emphasis on bright colors for this one. If you have a patterned top, yellow cardigan, and pink pants you’re ready to conquer the streets of New York.
11. Regina George
Just cut a couple of holes in a white tank-top for this one and you will be so fetch. Everyone will admire and fear you for the queen bee you are.
For more on this idea, we talk about a group Plastics costume in our post on girly Halloween costumes from movies.
12. Sandy from Grease
Leather leggings, red heels, a black bodysuit or tank top, and a leather jacket make up this ensemble. Bonus points if you break out in song whenever you need to make an important decision.
13. Cher (Clueless)
A matching yellow blazer and skirt set and some knee-high white socks are the main players in this costume, although some mary jane shoes may be a good idea as well.
This look in general has come back in recent seasons, so you can find the exact pieces at a variety of stores.
14. Holly Golightly
There are a few key components to this classy Halloween costume.
The main ones include a little black dress, some pearls, and the iconic cat-eye sunglasses. Pull your hair into a chignon and maybe add a tiara while you’re at it.
Bonus points if you go out with a cup of coffee and a pastry in your gloved hands.
15. Rachel Maddow
Rachel Maddow is a left-leaning political analyst who has her own show on MSNBC. If you have a substantial amount of professional attire in your wardrobe, this costume is ideal.
All you need is a button-up shirt, a blazer, jeans, and fun sneakers. Paramount to her look, however, is a pair of black reader glasses.
If you love the idea of making a lukewarm political statement by dressing up as a sassy, extremely intelligent woman (Rhodes Scholar, look it up), I encourage you to take the Maddow blazer for a spin.
16. G.I. Jane
If you have camouflage or military-inspired clothing, dressing up as G.I. Jane (or a generic person in the armed forces) is a great and patriotic option!
Some combination of skinny cargos, an army anorak, a camo jacket, or a patched button-down will work great for this look. Demi Moore as G.I. Jane had a bald head, but feel free to leave yours down or tucked into a hat. Smudge dirt (or brown eyeshadow) on your face for added effect. Finish with a pair of combat boots and you’re good to go!
Easy Halloween Costumes: Costumes with your bestie
17. Eleven and Max
This is the cutest bestie costume. Also, these outfits are throwback goals.
We have a post with some Max fashion inspiration in case you want a little more help in finding her specific outfits.
If you’re looking something similar to the Eleven romper, Hot Topic sells a shirt that’s the same pattern and colors. If you add a pair of jeans and some sneakers, you’re good to go.
18. Bank robber
Honestly, for this costume, you probably don’t need more than a striped shirt and a black beanie, although if you wanted a mask you can buy one for pretty cheap here.
19. Daphne and Velma
I like that this is a day or night look for the characters. Also, that red beret is adorable.
For Velma, you need a pair of glasses, an orange sweater, a red skirt, and orange knee-high socks.
For Daphne, you need a purple dress or a skirt and jacket combo and a purple headband. These are some groovy costumes!
20. Napoleon Dynamite and Pedro
You can buy a vote for Pedro shirt like in the movie here. The Napoleon costume also works well with some old glasses.
The Pedro one needs a Western-style belt, white shirt, and a bolo tie.
Otherwise, you both just need a pair of jeans.
Easy Halloween Costumes: Historical costumes
21. Frida Kahlo
For this costume, you mainly need a flower crown and a unibrow, which you can draw in with a brow pencil. You could make your own flower crown like this tutorial or buy one.
You can wear any dress for this, though floral or lace would work the best.
22. Rosie the riveter
This is an iconic costume and it’s relatively easy to pull off. All you need is a red bandana, a denim shirt, and a pair of jeans.
Pull your hair back and strike a pose for feminists everywhere.
23. A 1950s Housewife à la I Love Lucy
Full skirted dresses are so much fun to wear and there’s no better way to celebrate than to pull yours out for Halloween! Pair a 1950s-inspired dress with a cute apron, pearls, high heels, poofy ponytail, and bright red lipstick for a Lucy vibe.
Easy Halloween Costumes: Other
24. Tourist
Break out your Hawaiian shirt and a fanny pack for this. Bonus points if you can find some dad-like sunglasses and a lei.
25. Waldo
With a striped red shirt and a red beanie, people can’t help but spot you. Bonus points if you have glasses and hide whenever someone asks you what your costume is.
26. Nerd
All you need for this quick costume is a button down shirt (buttoned all the way up!), a sweater vest, geeky glasses, oxford shoes, and fun bow tie.
Bonus points if you wrap tape around the middle of your glasses and put your hair up in some disheveled high pigtails!
27. A Parisian
If you’d like a little comfort and glamour in your Halloween costume, dress up like a Parisian this year.
Grab a beret, striped shirt, black skinny pants, ballet flats and add a pop of color with a bright red scarf and you’re good to go!
If you really want to play up your look, grab a coffee mug and a distinguished-looking novel.
28. Hippie
Thanks to ’70s fashion making a huge comeback, it should be a cinch to gather up all of the pieces you need for a fantastic hippie costume.
Start with a pair of bell bottom-shaped jeans and find either a peasant top or floral patterned button down to wear with it. Add fringe boots or platforms, then wear a hairband across your forehead.
Put waves in your hair or braid random strands around your face. Finish the look with layered statement jewelry, a faux fur or suede vest, and a cross-body bag.
29. A Doll
This one is instantly recognizable. For Barbie, all you need is a hot pink dress and matching high heels. If you have an acid-washed denim jacket or anything sequined, be sure to wear that, too! Another fun idea is to look in your sorority house’s costume closets or even your mom’s closet for an ’80s inspired party dress.
Make your hair huge with hot rulers, a teasing comb, and ton of hairspray. Finish with pink lipstick, shimmery pink blush, blue eyeshadow, and tons of black mascara.
You could also be at Bratz doll, as pictured above, with different makeup and edgier clothes. Your choice!
What are your go-to easy Halloween costumes?
Have you started your Halloween costume yet? What are you going as? What’s your favorite costume in the post? I can’t get over the Daphne and Velma costume!
Editor’s note: This post was originally published in 2011; it was completely updated and revamped in 2019 with new photos and information.
