Halloween Costumes You Can Mostly Thrift, DIY, & Put Together from What You Own
Creative Halloween Costume Ideas for 2024: Thrift, DIY, and Your Own Closet
Fly on the Wall (wordplay, made with home materials you already have)
Challengers, the movie (creative use of tennis balls and clothes you already have)
Bob Ross painting (wholesome, likely the only purchase necessary is a small canvas and a wig)
Zendaya’s Robot Suit (aluminum foil, anyone?)
Cowboy Carter on a horse (iconic!)
Raygun at the Olympics (show us your moves)
Brat Green (what if you just . . . were green?)
The bathtub from Saltburn (specificity is key)
Logan Moffitt, with a mandolin and cucumber (preferably with a t-shirt that says “MSG, obviously”)
Longlegs costume (especially great for those who want to focus on makeup)
How do I come up with my own ideas?
Halloween. It should be fun, but often we find ourselves scrambling for a costume at the last minute, or feeling out of place at a party. Fear not! Our seasoned stylists and makeup artists have a few tricks up their sleeves for pulling together fabulous outfits that won’t break the bank or the environment. The key lies in organization, creativity, and making the most of resources at your disposal. Even wordplay/puns can be a secret weapon!
Here’s how to conjure up exciting, thrifty, and DIY costumes that will leave an impression without the anxiety of last-minute panic buying:
1. Planning is Key
The first step to a successful Halloween costume is planning ahead. Organizing your ideas well in advance can save you time, stress, and money. Try Googling specific things (like films, pop culture moments, trends, etc.) that inspire you. We find that by creating limitations when you’re researching, your ideas will be more specific and you’re likely to land on something really wonderful. If you cast a wide net when you’re looking for ideas, you might feel lost or overwhelmed. Then, once you have some ideas you like, head to Pinterest. It’s a great place to curate ideas of how you’ll put it all together visually.
Google ideas in the planning stage:
What famous pop-culture moments happened this year?
List of best campy films of all time
Worst films of the last 5 years
Top news moments of last year
Celebrity feuds list
Super Bowl highlights
Sporting highlights from the last year
Olympic moments to remember
Most popular TikTok/Instagram trends from 2024
2. Embrace the Thrift Store
Thrifting can be a treasure hunt, full of quirky finds and hidden gems. A couple of us at the BU Style team are huge fans. But first things first! Before you hit the stores, take inventory of your closet first—you might be surprised at what you already own that can translate into a costume. For example, an old flannel shirt, some accessories, and a plaid skirt can transform you into a character from a beloved cult classic movie. Alternatively, mix and match pieces from your wardrobe with thrifted items. A bizarre pair of sunglasses or a vintage hat can elevate your outfit.
3. Swap Costumes with Friends
One of the best-kept secrets of budget-friendly costumes is costume swapping. After Halloween, gather your friends to trade costumes; this not only makes it easy to find a unique look but can also establish a fun new tradition. Single-use costumes are not great for the environment (single use anything, in fact), so try to give them a new life!
4. Challenge Your Creativity
When brainstorming costume ideas, instead of heading to Amazon (where over-spending and waste is just around the corner), challenge yourself to think creatively. Don’t be the character from the movie. What if you are the movie? These queries can lead to fabulous DIY inspirations. For instance, and go with us on this one, what if you weren’t Zendaya from Challengers, but the whole movie instead? Grab a green shirt and cover yourself in yellow felt balls for a cleverly amusing ensemble that’s sure to get giggles.
Or if you do decide to be a character, what about dressing as a character at a particular moment in the film? For example, here’s our Director of Communications as Uma Thurman . . . post adrenaline shot. Easily done with clothes already around. All you need is a fake syringe and some fake blood.
5. Where Else?
Natalie, our founder, loves “Buy Nothing” groups on Facebook, where community members often give away items they no longer need. This could be the perfect opportunity to snag a last-minute costume piece without spending a dime. Craigslist can also be a great resource for free or cheap materials; search through local offers for costume ideas or items that might inspire your next Halloween look.
6. Use What You Have
One of the most enjoyable aspects of creating a costume from scratch is using your household items. Raid your drawers for props or clothing you wouldn't usually think to use. Old skinny jeans you can’t get rid of, and a potted plant can become a quirky “millennial skinny jeans wearing plant parent” costume.
7. Wordplay and Puns
Lastly, don't underestimate the power of wordplay. Pun-based costumes are always a hit and usually require fewer resources. For example, dressing as a “cereal killer” by attaching (toy) knives to a cereal box. These cute lil’ twists don't just lead to laughs, but they also underscore your creativity and sense of humor.
This is the type of costume that is absolutely elevated by killer (sorry!) makeup. Add some fake blood and dark circles under your eyes to take it to the next level.
The BU Way
Our ethos of Buy Better, Buy Less, Wear Longer extends even to Halloween! It’s a holiday that shouldn’t be about spending a fortune on flashy costumes. By embracing thrifting, DIY projects, and a bit of creativity, you can create hysterical costumes that reflect your personal style while showcasing your cost-saving ingenuity. Above all, Halloween should not be a source of stress. It should be fun.
Above: Natalie Tincher in her DIY/thrifted/Creative costumes throughout the years.