Last minute Halloween shopping? Try these budget DIY costumes.

Halloween is the most anticipated holiday of the year — at least for me. I started decorating in September.

Yet somehow, Halloween has managed to morph into a season of overconsumption. I’m not trying to be a Halloween Scrooge, but I can’t stand the pressure of buying big bags of candy and spending money on a trendy prepackaged outfit that you’ll only wear for one night.

Half the fun of Halloween is testing your creativity. You can bring your favorite characters to life through DIY and other thrift stores. It is a tradition that should be affordable.

Social media is jumping on the “antispend” bandwagon this Halloween, with inspirations like Krystalyn Gear (@krystslynngier) sharing tips on how she plans not to spend a dime.

There is no shame in buying clothes from a store. But if you’re trying to cut back and save some money this Halloween like I am, try shopping your wardrobe first.

Tips for Not Spending on Halloween

๐Ÿ‘ฏโ€โ™€๏ธ Swap costumes with friends.

A costume swap is a great way to pass up Halloween costumes, wigs and decorations that you’ve outgrown or no longer have a use for. It is not only cost effective but also a green alternative to buying something new. Plan a night for your friends to get together so you can recreate costumes and props from years past.

๐Ÿ”Ž Can’t find anything at home? Try a thrift store.

If you’re looking for something specific or need inspiration for an outfit, check out a local thrift or second-hand store. I have the best luck finding the basics this way. Thrift stores also usually have trendy items for the season, so you can find Halloween-specific items.

๐Ÿงต Get crafty

If you have been gifted with a sewing machine, try making your own dress. You can also create your own outfit with household items lying around. You’d be surprised how much you can build using cardboard, tin foil, paper plates or a cardboard tube left over from the middle of a toilet paper roll. And speaking of TP… toilet paper mummy, anyone?

๐Ÿง›๐Ÿฝโ€โ™€๏ธ Consider your favorite character.

You can often dress up as your favorite character that you already have at home. And you don’t have to go for something as elaborate as Edward Scissorhands. Think Carmi from Bear (white shirt, blue apron) or Janine from Abbott Elementary (teacher’s chic outfit and belt).

๐Ÿ‘— Recycle an old dress.

Keep your funny costumes, wigs, masks, random party finds and elaborate decorations in a box, because you never know when they’ll come in handy for a future Halloween costume. However, if you need to clean out your closet, make sure you donate items and clothes to a local thrift store, school or charity.

8 Characters to Inspire Your Halloween Costume

If you’re trying to find an innovative costume this Halloween, think about your favorite TV or movie character. The truth is, it’s easy to bring the characters to life on a Halloween budget because they don’t need much more than a costume and some makeup. Also, who has a random M&M costume lying around?

Below, I’ve gathered a few ideas for character costumes from my CNET colleagues, my friends, and my personal archives. Take a look; They may inspire you this Halloween.


1. Abi and Alana from Broad City

Two Broad City girls dress up as Abi and Alana.

Liliana Hall

It was almost impossible to pick my favorite scene from Broad City to re-enact with my friend for Halloween, so we went with the most famous scene. Abby, played by Abbi Abrams, is known for her love of Bed, Bath and Beyond and her hatred of Solstice (the fictional gym she works at in Williamsburg), so her look was simple.

I made Abhi’s work shirt by ironing the letters from the clothing store onto a black t-shirt I had in my closet. I found a Bed, Bath and Beyond bag at Goodwill in a drop-off bin for donations. I begged an employee to sell it to me, and they gave it to me for free. Ka Chung!

My friend Alaina wore a simple outfit for Alana: a white shirt and jeans with a bike chain around her waist. If you’re familiar with the show (especially Season 3), you’ll know why Bike Chain was essential viewing.


2. Ellie Sheedy from The Breakfast Club

A woman dressed as Ellie Sheedy from The Breakfast Club for Halloween. A woman dressed as Ellie Sheedy from The Breakfast Club for Halloween.

Kelly Ernst

If you’re a fan of John Hughes or 80s movies, you’re familiar with The Breakfast Club. CNET editor Kelly Ernst dresses Ellie Sheedy, aka “The Basket Case,” in a completely thrifty outfit. From the scarf to the scratchy socks and shoes, Ernst looks just like Shady when she was stuck in Shermer High School’s Saturday detention. All you need for this look is a black sweater, long skirt, white socks, shoes and a blue scarf.


3. Scooby Time

A group of friends dressed up as the cast of Scooby-Doo. A group of friends dressed up as the cast of Scooby-Doo.

Liliana Hall

The beloved animated mystery series Scooby-Doo, Where Art Thou! The basis for a fun group costume idea is easy to assemble. Almost everything my friends and I are wearing — from Velma’s orange knee-high socks to Fred’s red tie to Daphne’s green scarf — came from the thrift store. I still have my Velma costume, because I can use it if I need a last minute outfit for an event.


4. Voldemort

A woman dressed as Voldemort for Halloween. A woman dressed as Voldemort for Halloween.

Alice Young

Mastering Harry Potter’s nemesis, Lord Voldemort, with a smug mug, black robes, pale makeup and a wand that doubles as a wand is fun. Bonus points if you have a bald cap hanging, like my friend Elise did for this outfit. But if you don’t, slick back your hair with whatever gel you have on hand and take chalk or white powder and sprinkle it on your hair for a light effect.


5. Glinda from the Wizard of Oz.

A woman dressed up as a princess for Halloween. A woman dressed up as a princess for Halloween.

Gina Zapata

Perfecting the Good Witch of the North isn’t easy unless you have the perfect pink gown, like my friend Gina did for this outfit. However, odds are that you or someone you know has a dress that was once worn to a wedding or special event that would be perfect for any princess or witch costume. You can also pick up a crown at almost any discount store for just a few bucks. Don’t forget to keep the crown after Halloween, because you never know when you might need to wear it again for another costume.


6. The Girl with the Green Ribbon

A woman dressed as a girl with a green ribbon for Halloween. A woman dressed as a girl with a green ribbon for Halloween.

Kelly Ernst

No costume is more appropriate for Halloween. Ernst collects the perfect outfit for “The Girl with the Grail Ribbon” from In a Dark, Dark Room and Other Horror Stories. If you’re familiar with Alvin Schwartz’s horror story collection, you know the symbolism behind the green ribbon, but there’s no spoiler here. All you need for this outfit is a white cardigan, white dress, tights and a green satin ribbon.


7. Susie Myerson from The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

A woman dressed as Susie Myerson for Halloween. A woman dressed as Susie Myerson for Halloween.

Liliana Hall

Susie Myerson is one of my favorite characters on television, and it’s not just because I love Alex Borstein (the actress behind the character). Borstein contrasts her on-screen co-star Rachel Brosnahan’s beauty with her newsboy cap, T-shirt, suspenders and slacks. But you can’t forget to put the key to the Gaslight Cafe (the coffee house Susie works in the show) around your neck before going out.

I had almost everything I needed for this outfit except for the newsboy hat and suspenders, which I snagged at the Buffalo Exchange, which buys and sells used fashion. Take any house key and throw it on the chain that is hanging around you. Just don’t lose it!


8. Frozen from The Incredibles

A man dressed as Frozone for Halloween. A man dressed as Frozone for Halloween.

Samad Mirza

My friend Samad drew this as a scene from Pixar’s The Incredibles when Frozone, voiced by Samuel L. Jackson, is looking for his “super suit.” If you are familiar with animated movies, you know this. Sameed nailed the look with a simple blue sweater from Frozone, sunglasses, and black jeansโ€”all items that Sameed already had in her closet, but you can find any of them at a local thrift store. Can easily be picked up at a thrift store.

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