DIY Halloween Costumes You Can Make This Year

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Halloween creativity doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag or a trip to the costume store. This year, stand out at every spooky celebration with clever DIY costumes that transform everyday items into conversation-starting ensembles. From whimsical pink flamingos crafted from feather boas to charming terra cotta flower pots that bloom with personality, these homemade costumes prove that imagination is your best accessory.

Whether you’re drawn to the playful bounce of purple balloon grapes, the retro charm of a coin-operated gumball machine, or the dramatic flair of a paper-winged bat, these do-it-yourself designs offer something for every skill level and style preference. Not only do these handcrafted costumes deliver unique photo opportunities and guaranteed compliments, but they also provide a satisfying creative outlet that won’t break the bank.

Plus, the best part about making your own costume is the ability to customize every detail – from size and color to comfort and mobility – ensuring your Halloween look is perfectly tailored to your vision. Get ready to raid your craft drawer, dust off that hot glue gun, and transform simple supplies into Instagram-worthy Halloween magic.

Cupcake

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Bite into something sweet this Halloween and get creative. You’ll need a pink t-shirt, pink leggings, polyester fiber for the cupcake icing and poster board for the cupcake packaging.
Rosie the Riveter

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Spread some girl power as Rosie the Riveter.
Bat

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If you’ve got a little black dress, you’re halfway there.
Audrey Hepburn

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Eat breakfast at Tiffany’s this Halloween as Audrey Hepburn. You’ll need a vintage-inspired LBD, a string of pearls, black gloves, big sunglasses and her signature cigarette holder.
‘Despicable Me’ Minion

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Channel your inner Minion this Halloween. Get some jean shorts, a yellow shirt, black suspenders, fingerless gloves and some goggles.
Unicorn

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Make your Halloween holiday as magical as a unicorn. You’ll need white leggings, a white tank top, some glittery fabric paint, a unicorn headband and some slip-ons you can decorate.
Ice Cream Cone

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Be sweet and cool just like an ice cream cone. Get some tan shorts, fabric markers, a white tank top, some sparkly foam for ice cream sprinkles and a red headband to make this costume a reality.
Flowerpot

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Show off your green thumb as a flowerpot. Get a green bucket, tons of fake flowers, green leggings, elastic and a flower headband to complete the look.
Sun Drop Girl

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Dance the night away this Halloween as the Sun Drop girl! You only need black leggings, ripped jean shorts, a red sweatband and of course, a Sun Drop shirt, to make this costume.
‘The Great Gatsby’

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Try dressing up as your best Daisy this Halloween, old sport. Time travel back to The Great Gatsby. Find a flirty flapper dress, some long pearls and a 1920s-inspired headband.
‘Pitch Perfect’

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You’ll be looking aca-awesome when you dress up like the ladies from Pitch Perfect this Halloween. Get a Barden Bella shirt, a blue-and-yellow scarf and a whistle to look like a Bella.
Pinterest Board

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How about dressing up as a Pinterest board this year? You just need to print out your favorite pins and put them up on a poster board. You can put the poster board over your head by attaching it a durable string.
Flamingo

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Fly high this Halloween as a flamingo. You’ll want to get a feather skirt, a cute mask and a bunch of feathers to cover a white bodysuit.
Patti Mayonnaise & Doug Funnie

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Feeling “Funnie” this Halloween? Try dressing up as Patti Mayonnaise and Doug Funnie. For Patti’s costume, you’ll need a bright blue mini-skirt, a yellow wig, a light blue shirt, pink felt for the shirt’s polka dots, high white socks and bright pink shoes. For Doug, your partner in crime will need a dark green vest.
Gumball Machine

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Blow bubbles as a gumball machine. You’ll need red fabric, a red shirt, some cardboard, a plastic bowl and plenty of pom-poms, which are your pretend gumballs.
Broken iPhone

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Bite into something sweet this Halloween and get creative. You’ll need a pink t-shirt, pink leggings, polyester fiber for the cupcake icing and poster board for the cupcake packaging.
Fruit of the Loom Grapes

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Nothing is more awesome than grapes bringing wine to a party. Just get some purple legging, purple balloons, a leaf crown and a bottle of wine, of course.
‘Where’s Waldo?’

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Document your Halloween hijinks with a camera, like Waldo. You’ll need a red-and-white striped shirt, a red-and-white hat and a fun camera, like a instant camera.
Dora the Explorer

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Grab your backpacks and vamonos! Get some orange shorts, a bright pink shirt, a purple backpack and felt to bring Dora’s trusty sidekicks to life.
Soap & Loofah

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Have some squeaky-clean fun with this costume. Literally. For the soap costume, you can use an oversized t-shirt or can fashion a white piece of fabric into a dress. Paint “SOAP” on with some fabric paint. Finish the soap costume off with a cute headband. The loofah costume can be created out of lots of tulle, which can be layered over a pink bodysuit.
Flo the Progressive Lady

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Be Progressive! B-E Progressive!
Nerds

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Nerds have the most fun. Rope a friend into this fun costume. This entirely DIY costume, so you’ll need paint, a big poster board and some artistic skills.
Katniss Everdeen

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Kick butt just like Katniss did in The Hunger Games movie with this DIY costume. Hunt down a black sweatshirt, brown cargo pants, a brown belt, bow and arrows and a black leather jacket to transform into Katniss.
Flight Attendant

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Next stop: A Halloween party, of course! Get yourself an ascot and snazzy jacket to really pull off this costume.
Disney Princess — Ariel

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Bring a grown-up Ariel to life with a plain-ole white t-shirt, a mermaid skirt and red wig.
Disney Princess — Belle

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Bet you never knew dressing up like Belle could be so easy. Just get a blue dress and a white apron.
Disney Princess — Elsa

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Because we all secretly want to dress like Elsa, and making her gown is super-easy. Get a white lace long-sleeve shirt and a strapless blue dress. Don’t forget her glittery train, either.
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