Quick facts (60-second guide)
- Date: Friday, 31 October 2025
- Budget: Most ideas use items you already have (t-shirts, tape, makeup)
- Time: Each look takes ~5–15 minutes
The rules for fast, clickable costumes
- Pick a single visual hook (color, prop, pattern).
- Keep it recognizable from 6 feet away.
- Add one emoji-level detail (hat, printout, face mark) and you’re done.
25 last-minute ideas (no sewing)
- Ghost (bedsheet 2.0): Cut big oval eyes; add sunglasses for “celebrity ghost.”
- Error 404: White tee + marker: “Costume Not Found (404).”
- Tourist Trap: Loud shirt, camera/phone on a strap, sunscreen nose.
- Wednesday Addams (ultra-fast): Black top, white paper collar triangles, braids.
- Cat (high ROI): Eyeliner whiskers + black outfit + paper ears on a headband.
- Vampire-on-the-go: Red lipstick “bite,” dark eye smudge, slick hair; carry a red juice box.
- Mummy Lite: Roll of gauze or toilet paper strips + black under-layer.
- Emoji Face: Yellow tee + printed emoji taped on; match makeup.
- Smarty Pants: Tape Smarties candies to trousers.
- Cereal Killer (pun): Mini cereal boxes + plastic spoons taped to shirt; tiny paper “knives.”
- Ceiling Fan: Tee reads “Go Ceilings!” + pom-poms; you’re a fan of ceilings.
- Identity Thief: Hello-my-name-is stickers with random names all over.
- Athleisure Vampire: Hoodie + fangs + dark sunglasses = “off-duty Dracula.”
- Static Cling: Safety-pin socks/dryer sheets to clothes; hold a laundry basket.
- Bank Robber: Black/white striped tee, beanie, pillowcase with “$.”
- 80s Aerobics: Bright tee, leggings/shorts, headband, big ponytail.
- Men in Black (any suit): Black sunglasses + toy/rolled-foil “neuralyzer.”
- Error Loading Skeleton: All black + draw quick white bones with tape/chalk.
- Freudian Slip: Paper “Freud” quotes taped to a camisole over clothes.
- Where’s Wally/Waldo: Striped top (or tape stripes), round paper “glasses,” beanie.
- Cloud with Silver Lining: White tee + cotton balls; silver tape trim.
- Grapes: Purple top + 6–8 purple balloons (hip belt or safety pins).
- Lumberjack: Plaid shirt, beanie, beard pencil; cardboard axe.
- Netflix & Chill (duo): One wears “Netflix” tee, the other “Chill.”
- Last-Minute Witch/Wizard: Black outfit + paper cone hat + eyeliner sigils.
Makeup shortcuts (no kit needed)
- Smoky eye: Smudge brown/black eyeshadow; blend with cotton bud.
- Fake blood: Red lipstick + a dab of cocoa powder for depth.
- Pale undead: Light foundation + talc dust + chapstick gloss under eyes.
Photo-ready in 30 seconds
- Use your phone’s Portrait mode.
- Stand near a lamp or window; tilt light at a 45° angle.
- Add one prop (book, broom, mug) to “tell the story.”
CDC — Halloween health & safety tips
