WASHINGTON — Spooked by how fast Halloween is creeping up on you? Don’t panic! Whether you’ve been ghosting the costume aisle or just realized that spooky season is in full swing, there’s no need to haunt the stores for a pricey outfit. With a dash of creativity and a pinch of DIY magic, you can whip up a fang-tastic last-minute Halloween look that will leave everyone howling.
1.) Cereal Killer
Grab a couple boxes of your favorite cereal and get ready to make your friends snap, crackle, and pop with laughter. Cut out mini cereal boxes, attach them to your outfit with some safety pins and splash a bit of fake blood for that “killer” effect. Voilà! You’ve become a "cereal" killer.
2.) Smarty Pants
Show off your brains and your buns with this low-effort costume. Simply tape a few packs of Smarties candy to your pants, and boom. Plus, if anyone questions your last-minute preparation, you can reply, “I was too busy being brilliant.”
3.) Holy Guacamole
If you love a good pun, this costume will make you the toast of the party. All you need is a green shirt and some cut-out avocado shapes. Add a halo, and there you have it.
4.) Error 404: Costume Not Found
For the tech-savvy (or just extra lazy), grab a white t-shirt and a sharpie, and write “Error 404: Costume Not Found” across the front.
5.) Party Animal
For those who like to live on the wild side, this one is purrrfect. Raid your closet for any animal print you own, grab some animal ears or make them from paper, and throw on a party hat.
6.) Static Cling
Get ready to electrify the room with this shockingly simple costume. Wear a monochrome outfit and pin socks, dryer sheets, and bits of fabric to your clothes.
7.) French Kiss
If you’ve got a love for classic rock and a bit of je ne sais quoi, this costume is très bien. Wear a striped shirt and a beret, then paint your face like the band KISS.
8.) Deviled Egg
Take a white t-shirt, cut out a yellow circle and stick it in the middle — now you’re an egg. Add some devil horns and a pitchfork, and you’ve transformed into a deviled egg.
9.) Ghost Writer
All you need is a white sheet and a notebook or laptop. Now you’re not just any ghost, you’re a ghost writer. Add some glasses for extra writerly vibes and float around the party talking about your “latest novel.”
10.) Couch Potato
Embrace your inner couch potato with this cozy look. Wear brown or tan clothes, attach fabric cutouts to represent couch cushions, and carry a remote control. You can even add a bag of chips for authenticity.
11.) Tourist
Wear a loud Hawaiian shirt, shorts, sandals with socks and a sun hat. Don’t forget a camera around your neck and a map in hand.
12.) Identity Thief
Wear normal clothes and stick a bunch of name tags on yourself with random names written on them.
13.) Sleepy Head
Wear your pajamas, slippers and a nightcap. Add fake eyes or draw on some heavy dark circles under your eyes. You’ll look like you just rolled out of bed.
14.) Zoom Call
Wear a dress shirt on the top and pajamas or shorts on the bottom. Carry a laptop or a fake Zoom background (like a tropical beach) to emphasize the look.
15.) "Inside Out" Characters
Dressing up as characters from "Inside Out" is a breeze since each one represents a distinct emotion with a simple, vibrant color scheme. You can easily embody Joy in sunny yellow, Sadness in cool blue, Anger in fiery red, Fear in a soft purple, or Disgust in a lively green. Just throw on a solid outfit in their signature hues, add some fun accessories, and you’re ready to showcase the feelings that make us all human.
So there you have it, your go-to list for last-minute Halloween costumes that will get you out the door fast. Whether you’re aiming for cute or spooky, these costumes are sure to be a hit.