7 Quick Costumes from Your Closet

Happy day, dear reader!

My favorite holiday is coming, so I’m subjecting you to another Halloween post! There are always people who either don’t think about a costume until the last minute (I don’t understand. In our family, we are thinking about Halloween costumes all year. The hard part is narrowing it down!), or find themselves invited to a ‘do at the last minute, and need a last minute costume. Here are seven that you probably have most of the parts for already in your closet. (Or have a friend from whom you can borrow…)

Cat (or other Beastie)

With all the leopard and other animal prints out there, pop on an Animal Print Top or Bottom, add a Headband with Ears, and draw on a Nose and some quick Whiskers with Eyeliner. If you feel like going big, make a Tail from a leg of a pair of tights stuffed with packing peanuts or bubble wrap. I couldn’t find an old pair of black tights to sacrifice, so my stubby tail here is a pair of knee socks! I added the leftover Christmas ribbon as a Collar. A choker necklace would work, too!

A punny variation on the cat is the Cat Burglar. Wear Black, add Ears and Tail, Black Mask, and a Pillowcase full of lightweight lumpy items. (Empty boxes, balloons, etc,)

Nurse

Summer’s Little White Dress, White Shirt or Blouse Layered Underneath, White Belt (If you have one!), a Watch, White Shoes (Also if you have them… Ked’s work beautifully.) Borrow a stethoscope if you can. Cut out a Nurse Hat from Posterboard. Bobby pin it in place. If you need a couples costume, this one is great paired with a sailor!

Witch

This is the no-brainer default. Black (or dark) Dress. It can be long or short. You can go for a chic witch vibe if you throw on a cocktail dress, or something more traditional if the dress is longer. If your dress is sleeveless and you want sleeves, turn a pair of tights (Spiderweb tights work beautifully!) into sleeves by cutting off the toes and most of the panty… (Like I did with the Morticia costume in this post!) Pale (or greenish) Face, Ratty Hair, If you want to go big, buy a Hat. Finish with Dark Lips and Dark Nails (Any you like: green, purple, blood red, black, wine…)

Rosie the Riveter

Jeans, Denim or Chambray Shirt (Roll the sleeves!), Red Scarf with White Polka Dots (A bandanna works too!), Work Shoes or Boots. Rosie needs Defined Eyebrows and a Bright Red Lip! If you have red socks, that makes it just about perfect…

Lumberjane

Jeans, Flannel Shirt, Suspenders, Dark Beanie Hat, Lace-up Boots, Axe. (Fake might be the better choice, here.) I had to substitute a belt for suspenders, because the point was to work with what’s in the closet… I added some nubbly socks for the cool weather vibe. (The chain is a leftover from our Haunted Eye Ball Costumes!) It seemed lumberjane-y to me.

Fortune Teller

Maxi Skirt, Peasant Top or Tee, Bandana or Head Scarf, Hoops (The bigger the better!), Lots of Bangles and/or Rings, Loose Hair over Shoulders, Deck of Tarot Cards, or make a Crystal Ball” from a balloon. Put glitter or confetti in for extra cool factor!

Pirate

Striped Tee, Cropped Bottom, Sash, Big Gold Hoop Earring(s), Coin Necklace(s), Bandanna Tied around Head, Sword, Knife, or Dagger Tucked into the Sash.

There are myriad ways to do pirate! This is the fortuneteller’s shirt, the cat’s leggings, and my old boots…

If pirate isn’t your thing, here are a few other ideas for that striped tee… (My apologies. No pics of these, but plenty of inspo!)

Gondolier: Striped Tee, Dark Trouser, Dark Shoes, Sash, Flat Brimmed Hat. (You can do Gondolier with a white shirt, too!)

Artiste: Striped Tee, Any Pants, Eyeliner Moustache, Beret, Paintbrush Tucked behind Ear, Paint Palette (Easy to make out of fun foam, or cardboard.)

Waldo: Jeans, Red and White Striped Tee, Hat with a Red Pompom (Striped is perfect!), Round Black Glasses, Tennis Shoes or Boots

If you have found yourself in a last minute costume bind, I hope this helps! (And saves you the indignity of a store bought costume with a plastic mask…) What could or would you make from your closet? Let’s start a conversation in the comments below. I love to hear from you!

Stylishly (and Spookily) Yours,