Ten Last Minute Halloween Costumes.

Written by Jade Hauber 22/10/2025

Ten Last-Minute Hallowe'en Costume Ideas

By Jade Hauber

Hey York! If you’re like me, you’ve probably sat at your closet the day before Hallowe’en wondering, What am I going to wear? at least once. I’m here to hopefully help you answer that question, even though I never seem to be able to myself. I’ll try to find a diverse range of options, but no promises. 

1. Princess Batman from Lego Batman Movie

We’re starting out really niche here, because this is what my best friend is going as this year. All you need is a pink tutu, a pink shirt and some pink paper. You can use the paper to cut out a Batman mask and boom! You have a homemade costume. This is really great if you’re a teenager who likes to trick-or-treat because almost no one will accuse you of being too old for it while wearing this. 

2. Regina George from Mean Girls

This is a classic costume in general. If you have a pair of jeans, an off-the shoulder black shirt and can braid your own hair, you can definitely make it work! If you want to go the extra mile, I’d recommend wearing a light pink belt and an R necklace to make the character even more recognizable. People have been using this as a last-minute costume for decades now.

3. Ghost

Yup, it’s possible to get way more classic than that. Now, I understand some people are hesitant to do this because they don’t want to cut eye holes in their bed sheets or buy new thrift-store bed sheets and cut eye holes in them. Here’s my suggestion - use a slightly translucent sheet and tape eye-shaped pieces of black paper to the part of the sheet covering your forehead. You’ll still be able to see, but so will your ghost!

4. M&Ms

This is a great last-minute group costume. Pick a colour M&M. I’d personally go with a really bright and recognizable one like blue or red. Now wear white pants and a shirt in that colour and cut out a circle in that colour paper. Then cut out the letter “M” in white paper and tape that to the circle. Tape the circle to your shirt. You are now an M&M! If you want to do this in a group costume, have all of your friends pick a different colour.

5. Someone You Know

Can’t find anything in your closet? Find it in someone else’s! Ask your best friend if you can borrow some clothes they usually wear and parody their style. If they have different hair than you, you can also wear a wig that looks like it. If you want to make this a pair’s costume, have them wear your style clothes and you can act like each other all day.

6. Where’s Waldo

Now, this might not get a lot of attention, because Waldo’s whole thing is trying not to be noticed, but it’s really simple if you have a red and white striped shirt and jeans. If you want to get fully into character, put on a red and white striped hat and round glasses. Now no one can find you.

7. Minion

Another great group costume (especially if you get another friend to be Gru!). You just really need black gloves, a yellow top and blue denim overalls. You can also make goggles out of cardboard and paint them silver and black. I know tons of people who use this costume every year because they own most of the items anyway. Pretty simple, but recognizable from a mile away.

8. Pac-Man

Here’s an underrated one that I don’t see too often on these lists. Personally, I love Pac-Man and all its spinoffs. What you’re going to do is get an all black outfit, preferable with long-sleeves. Then you get some cardboard or bristol board, cut out the shape of Pac-Man twice and colour both yellow with a black dot where the eye should be. Finally, punch two holes in the top of each Pac-Man and string some thread between them. You can hang the sandwich board over your shoulders. Other variants of this costume could be Inky, Blinky, Pinky and Clyde (the ghosts) or Ms. Pac-Man.

9. Mummy

I was hesitant to put this on here because a) so many people know it already and b) it’s difficult to maintain without littering. Obviously you need several rolls of toilet paper. Ask a friend to wrap it around you until you’re entirely (or almost entirely, save for the eyes) covered. But make sure none of the ends snag on something or it could be really uncomfortable.

10. Paper Bag Jack-O-Lantern

This is for people who really don’t want to put effort into their costumes. If you care even a little bit, wear orange clothes, if not just whatever you can find. Now get a paper bag, draw a Jack-O-Lantern face on it and cut it out. Put the paper bag over your head. You have successfully gotten away with the laziest (but still acceptable) costume of all time.

I hope you enjoyed the ideas and that they at the very least sparked your inspiration. Happy Hallowe’en!