Last minute Halloween costume ideas call for last minute solutions. Instead of turning to ultra fast fashion companies like Spirit Halloween, try using clothes already living in your closet. We’re accustomed to a culture of consumerism where it’s a norm for costumes to only be used once. Cheaper materials make for a cheaper price point to sell novelty items that serve their even cheaper purpose—to be worn and trashed. Are you really going to wear your polyester hamburger hat in any other context? What about the Mike Meyers mask you bought to compliment your mysterious aura? Trust me, the production process of these props is way scarier than any look you could accomplish. According to The Guardian, costumes from both Halloween Express and Spirit Halloween “have been found to contain substances such as lead, cadmium and BPA.”
In interest of yourself and the planet, consider creating a sustainable costume to make your rounds in search of new beaus, boos, or booze. Whatever the cause, you can look hot, cool, and unique in a costume constructed all on your own, with the help of local thrift stores and some imagination. I’ve thought of concoctions (alcoholic or not) that will get your party started and seamlessly match the aesthetic of costumes on my Halloween menu. This menu will help spur your thinking and drinking for this spooky season!
Bare Bones: You want something fun and different without the hassle. You’re always the life of the party without putting too much effort into your appearance. The look is stripped down, but recognizable and an instant crowd pleaser. This costume will be around forever in your closet, cultural references, and memory.
- James Dean
Slicked back hair with a white shirt, blue jeans, boots, red jacket (if you have one), and the best smolder you got. - Brawny Paper Towels Man
Red checkered flannel and jeans (it really can’t get easier than this!)
Drink: Get straight to the point with a bare bones shot or a Martini. Whether you like yours dirty like James Deans or clean like Brawny, you can check out this classic martini recipe for tips on constructing the cocktail that will never be out of style.
Easy Fun: You want to turn it up a notch, while still keeping your costume endeavors to a minimum. Everyone knows who you are and will complement the unique accessories you’ve thoughtfully selected to adorn your look.
- Peanuts Characters
Grab a yellow shirt and add a black squiggle to embody the holidays’ favorite cartoon character, Charlie Brown. Grab a striped black and green jersey to be his butch wannabe girlfriend, Peppermint Patty. You could even retrieve that childhood blanket we brought up in the first bit and toss on a red top to be Chuck’s best friend, Linus. - Fembot
Put the pink flowy lingerie dress you thrifted to use in this stylish outfit for the girlies who want to be cute and clever. This costume is a reference to the Austin Powers films series of the late 90s starring Mike Meyers as the international man of mystery stuck in the 60s. Style your hair with tight curling edges and a beehive bump to sell the retro look. If you’re feeling bold, you can even craft a “gun bra” with pink feathers like this person did on Reddit!
Drink: Lychee soju over soda water with a sugar rim. The drink is fun and bubbly with an unexpected twist.
DIY Novice: You are committed to the look. This level of costume commitment might require some contact with temporary hair dye and some super glue. You’ll appreciate these suggestions if you’re up to date with recent pop-culture trends and have niche taste in indie films (or you’re a big fan of Scarlett Johansson)!
- Enid and Rebecca from Ghost World
Are you a blondie with a brunette bestie (or vice versa)? This is the perfect costume for you! One friend needs a green sweater with a black skirt and shoes with few accessories. The other needs a black and green plaid mini skirt with a blue graphic tee and a bob (brown suffices, but if you want to raise the stakes, go for a striking blue bob as seen on Enid halfway through the cult classic film, Ghost World)! This may be accomplished using Hally Temporary Wash Out Hair Coloring or hair wax. - Sonny Angel
Grab any funky headband you have lying around and add animal ears with some fabric to be the cutesy, doll like figure that everyone adores. Wings painted onto a shirt or tank top make for the perfect way to soar up to angelhood while creating a reusable top to be worn as part of your wardrobe.
Drink: Spiked hot chocolate! Pour chocolate powder into any of your favorite themed mugs (add some cream and chocolate syrup to mix into a slurry for a more rich flavor). Add fireball or another spiced rum of choice with optional toppings! (Ghost Peeps or Whipshots). Yes, vodka infused whipped cream is now a thing!
DIY Master: We’re cranking out the festive Halloween vibes full throttle in this last level. These costumes are for the people who celebrate “spooky season” all year round, no matter the temperature outside (and not for those who bring out the Christmas tree November 1st).
- Skater Skeleton
If you remember the skater skeleton t-shirt from Project Social or you enjoy fashion and makeup, this is the perfect costume for you! The creative freedom of this costume allows for transformation into a skeletal figure any way you please. This could be done with glow sticks to carve out the shape of your bones on clothes, or with fun ghastly makeup that accentuates your cheekbones and morphs your eyes back into their sockets. You can push the gore as far as you want, but the skater skeleton gives you a chance to show off your style. What cool sweater do you have to show off at the party? Let those new kicks see the light of day, (or darkness of the season), in your execution of this spooky get up. - Sexy Postal Worker
Do you catch yourself in constant daydreams over the postal service culottes? All year round, postal service workers are running around in these shorts ensuring our mail is safely hand delivered in a neighborly fashion. It’s only natural to honor this profession in a costume that’s hot and gives you plenty of chances to make connections. Crop that button up shirt that’s lying in the back of your closet haunting you from your last interview (or better yet, thrift a button up to crop), grab your best pair of long shorts (or short shorts, this is the sexy postal worker after all), and construct a series of notes to stash away in your very own messenger bag (you’ll leave behind a fun little paper trail and make someone's evening). These notes could be tiny slivers of text to hand out at a party and let the girls know they’re looks are on point, or opportunities to meet someone new (the choice is entirely up to you, and you have the USPS backing you up)! A fake paper cut may even graze the surface of your skin to add some gore and humanity to the costume.
Drink: Spooky DIY cocktails call for something that glows in the dark! If you’re a committed host, grab your black light and get crafting those luminous concoctions! Thought Co. shares a list of common ingredients that naturally glow such as drinks that contain B vitamins (your typical energy drink) or tonic water. If you’re a fan of the trash can cocktail, this is a naturally glowing drink thanks to the RedBull and Blue Curacao, but you can virtually illuminate any cocktail with tonic water ice cubes!
