29 Easy Halloween Costumes You Can Put Together At the Last Minute (2024)

Easy Halloween costumes are lifesavers for busy people and procrastinators. We get it! Sometimes there just isn’t enough time in the day. Nevermind the fact that you’ve binged Squid Game five times in the past week. It’s called self-care. Or something.

If you’ve been too swamped to figure out your alter ego for All Hallows’ Eve, don’t worry. We’ve got you covered with these super simple, last-minute costume ideas.

From classic ghosts and vampires, to punny costumes and trending characters, these ideas take minimal effort to produce maximum results. Now if we could only find the equivalent to interior decorating.

19 Easy Halloween Costumes That Are Simple, Yet Satisfying

1. Ruth Bader Ginsburg Costume

Ruth Bader Ginsburg may no longer be with us, but she would want nothing more than for you to haunt anti-feminists this Halloween. Get out your glasses, pearls, white collar, black robe, and get to it! Black clothing works, too. You have some of that, right?

2. Squid Game Costume

The hit Korean thriller Squid Game is on track to become the most-watched Netflix show, ever. Get out a retro-inspired tracksuit, slap on a number, and you’re bound to win Halloween…even if you can’t play tug-of-war.

Or, take a page from the guards’ book by dressing in red and wearing a fencing mask. That hasty purchase after watching too much of the Olympics finally comes in handy! Here’s a full rundown for each costume.

3. Vampire Costume

Vampires come in all shapes and sizes. As long as you have a set of pointy teeth, you can really work with whatever you have in your closet. From classic Dracula, to ones with glittery skin, to the furrowed forehead and bleached hair of Spike, the world is your bloody oyster.

4. Legally Blonde Costume

As Elle Woods taught us, law school is easy and costume planning is surely easier than that. Put on an all-pink ensemble, or go for a “costume” party Elle and wear a bunny get-up.

5. Fake News Costume

No one likes actual fake news, but everyone will love this last-minute Halloween costume idea. If they don’t, just tell them their opinions aren’t facts and run away.

6. Ashley Spinelli from Recess

Got a yellow beanie, leather jacket, pigtails, and a spunky attitude? Channel Ashley Spinelli from Recess with this throwback costume. If anyone asks, yes, you are staring in the reboot!

7. It’s Raining Men

Super simple, and super convenient if it’s actually raining rain. Next year’s costume – a take on “Let the Bodies Hit the Floor.”

8. Casey from Scream

Casey Becker trying to get her caller to stop is us trying to hide from our car’s extended warranty. The blonde bob wig will definitely throw off the scent.

9. Michael Myers Costume

Perhaps the easiest costume with the ability to scare everyone is the OG slasher himself. Pick up a Michael Myers mask – ideally from a store – and you’re set!

10. Instagram Selfie

Take a crack at the modern self-portrait. Carry around an empty frame to show off your best selfie. Add in some duck lips for a old school look and accompany it with one of these Halloween puns.

11. Rosie the Riveter Costume

Rosie the Riveter is a WWII culture icon that is still uber-relevant. Beyoncé says so, and who are we to question the queen?

12. Easy Ghost Costume

Proving once again, fitted sheets are completely useless.

13. Sandy from Grease

Olivia Newton-John had to be sewn into her pants for filming, and we bet she still didn’t get pockets or Danny’s respect. Thankfully, leggings have entered the chat.

14. Risky Business

Also known as: How you’ve looked at every single Zoom meeting the past 1.5 years. Hey, we said these were easy!

15. Velma from Scooby-Doo

Velma is over here proving you can be a nerd, hot, and know that color-blocking is where it’s at. Bonus points if you can scrounge up that magnifying glass from your Nancy Drew days.

16. Captain Underpants Costume

Captain Underpants just requires some boxer briefs and a red cape, making it ideal for those that have gotten a little too used to going pantless. Warning: does not pair well with a motorcycle. Or if you plan on monologueing.

17. Vampire Slayer Costume

If the apocalypse comes, beep us. We’ll be ready in our leather jacket and wooden spike.

18. Starbucks Mermaid

If Starbucks keeps you going, consider dressing up as the mermaid herself. Or at least tell people that’s what your costume is when you’re walking around the party with your fourth Starbucks latte of the day.

19. Dirty Dancing Costume

No one will put Baby in the corner with this Dirty Dancing look that consists of a pink top, jean shorts, and curly hair. But if they do, at least you have a watermelon to eat.

20. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson

There’s not much The Rock does wrong, but this could be an exception.

21. Clockwork Orange Costumes

This Clockwork Orange costume can be a family costume idea and a very well-coordinated family photoshoot. You may have to explain a few things when the little one grows up.

22. Tourists

Grab a tropical shirt, fanny pack, and selfie stick! It’s vacay time. Remember those? When you’re ready to upload your best “vacation” photos, these Halloween Instagram captions should help.

23. Coraline Costume

Coraline is stop motion, but the Neil Gaiman tale featuring parents with buttons for eyes isn’t a children’s story. It is a very cute easy costume idea. though. And next year you can ditch the purple wig to be the Morton Salt girl.

24. Alien Costume

For those that believe, the different interpretations of aliens are endless. But we’re a bit partial to the super sparkly galactic queen look going on here. We think Grimes would approve.

25. Devil Costume

The devil is in the details, except for this easy costume that doesn’t need any excessive details. And for hell’s sake, leave the pitchfork at home. You know it’s just going to end up in the Uber across town.

26. Witch Costume

Throw on a pointy hat, grab a broom, and you’ll be putting everyone under your spell in no time.

27. Debbie Thornberry Costume

Angsty teenagers should look to Debbie Thornberry for inspiration. If you literally only have time to pick up the clothes off your floor, this costume is perfect.

28. Where’s Waldo? Costume

Dress up as Waldo this Halloween and suddenly everyone’s gonna be looking for you. Not recommended for introverts.

29. #Filter and #NoFilter Costumes

Most people are Clarendon people, but we like a good Juno ourselves. Just don’t get us started on X-Pro II!