Are you tired of having to pull together a Halloween costume the night before your big party? We’ve all been there… read these tips on how to perfect your last-minute Halloween costume without the stress!
Step 1: Do a Closet Inventory
When you’re looking through your closet, be sure to note any unique items, accessories, and/or your favorite staple pieces. Sometimes you might not need to “make” a Halloween costume, but you can “create” one using items you already know work for you. Do you have a dress that you love to wear everywhere? By adding just a few key accessories, you can turn that dress into anything from a princess to an iconic movie star. Even if you have something that’s been sitting in your closet that you rarely get to wear now would be the perfect opportunity to start brainstorming.
Step 2: Accessories are a MUST!
Accessories are the tool needed to turn your outfit into a character. Accessories go far beyond just costume “props” like tiaras, wings, and wands. Many recognizable movie stars, musicians, and even characters have specific accessories that go along with their persona. In order to completely step into the role of your character and leave everybody speechless at the party, you need to commit to the details of your costume. Pay attention to the accents of jewelry, purses, belts, shoes, etc.
Step 3: Last-Minute Shopping
If you do have any time on your hands, it never hurts to look again in the stores. They will probably be out of the packaged costumes where you can buy everything together, but maybe after your closet inventory, you just need something simple like a blue bandana! If you don’t find what you are looking for in big stores like Target or Walmart try some second hand stores like Platos Closet or Goodwill, you never know if your last piece may be there. Spend your time focusing on the easy things that you know can pull together a DIY costume. Be sure to check out quick online-delivery sites like Amazon to see if there’s any chance for a next-day delivery on your last-minute costume needs.
Step 4: MAKE-UP for Lost Time
Feel like you’re still running behind in pulling together your last-minute costume? Don’t worry! We still have another trick up our sleeve… the art of make-up! Whether you’re a certified pro at winged eyeliner or if you’ve never picked up lip gloss, the simple touches of make-up can add a kick of spice to your Halloween costume. If the Hollywood Glam style of make-up isn’t really your thing, consider using some special effects make-up to create a look. Throw some fake blood and special effect make-up on whatever outfit you’re wearing and BOOM! Automatic costume!
Step 5: Don’t Stress!
This is the most important step! Everyone has been there one time or another, and if you can’t pull together a DIY costume in time, remember that you have other options as well! You can ask around to friends, family, peers, etc to see if they have an old costume that you can borrow. Sometimes all you need is a simple DM on instagram to offer to rent a costume. Maybe you have an extra costume in your basement that you forgot about that could be upgraded with some details and accessories! The ultimate thing to remember is that wearing your costume with confidence will make it look so much better.
What Now?
Now that we know the 5 steps to the process of pulling together a last-minute Halloween costume, we’re going to help you to create some inspiration for your look. Let’s start off with the looks that may have been overdone one too many times… and it begins with the animal ears.
If you absolutely feel like you have no time to prepare, the simple black dress and cat ear combo never fails to make the outfit time crunch. However, there are some other simple costumes with staple closet items that can be pulled off in the same amount of time, with some bonus points for originality.
For example, any character in Scooby Doo can make a great main character moment with a shortage of details and time. Let’s start out with Daphne- all you need is a purple dress with a green bandana wrapped around your neck. The same simplicity goes for most movie characters, especially in cartoons. Cartoon characters are all interpretative, and most people only remember the main colors that they wear anyways. It’s pretty easy to throw together some type of last-minute costume using only items from your closet if you choose a cartoon or movie character.
One easy way to figure out your costume is to plan a group costume. Whether it be with your family or your besties, group costumes make it easier to be able to tell what your costume is even if all of your details aren’t perfect. So what makes an easy group costume? By choosing any type of general decade such as Y2K, the 70’s, the 90’s, etc, you will most likely be able to pull off a group costume with items already existing in your closet. The simpler that you make the costume, the easier it will be for a group to coordinate it. Also, group costumes look great together when everyone looks a little bit different and unique!
Now, what makes a good couple costume? If you just simply google the phrase “dynamic duos”… you’re halfway there! Couples costumes can be a fun way of showing your dynamics and a little bit of personality within your costume. Two goofy best friends that do everything together? Something like “Spongebob and Patrick” might be right up your alley! Even having a friend with blonde or brown hair could lead to the iconic “Serena Vanderwoodson and Blair Waldorf” in no time at all.
No matter what, the most important thing to really make your costume stand out this Halloween season, is to remember to pay attention to the details.
