Halloween is drawing nearer, and everyone is going to start looking for costumes.  But costumes from a store can be so expensive, and stocks are probably starting to run low.  Luckily, there are lots of options for costumes living right in your closet! Here are 5 easy Halloween costumes you can make from items in your closet! Some of them I’ve actually done myself, so I’ll include pictures of myself if I have them.

1. Scarecrow

Items Needed:

Flannel Shirt

Jeans

Boots

Hat

Makeup/Face paint

Straw (optional)

Patches (optional)

Bandanna (optional)

This was my Halloween costume last year.  I had to work at a Halloween party last-minute so this is what I came up with! Wear a flannel shirt with jeans , put on a cowboy hat (or really any hat), and some boots and you’re done!  To make it clear that you’re a scarecrow, use some eyeliner or black face paint to draw stitches on your nose and mouth, as well as drawing long, cartoon-like eyelashes.  I also added some orange eyeshadow to look like a patch on my nose.  I also added a bandanna around my neck, and if you really wanted to look authentic you could add some straw under your hat and patches on your jeans!

2. Three Blind Mice

Items Needed:

Black Clothes

Makeup/Facepaint

Mouse ears (Disney or DIY)

Sunglasses

Canes (optional)

This is great if you need a group costume! My friends and I did this for Spirit Week because it’s so simple!  All you need to do is wear black clothes (match if you can but it’s not necessary) and throw on some mouse ears.  If you don’t have a pair from Disney, you can easily make some with a headband and felt/paper.  Then wear sunglasses and carry a cane (if you can find them). Draw some whiskers and a nose on your face with eyeliner or face paint. This is one of the easiest costumes on the list, but it’s fun and creative!

3. Hippie

Items Needed:

Tie-Dye Shirt

Vest/Flowy Shirt

Hippie Accessories (Peace signs, flowers, sunglasses, etc.)

Here’s another Spirit Week costume! To become a hippie, all you really need is a tie dye shirt.  You can add some bell bottoms or other loose pants, a flower crown (or bandanna/headband for guys), a flowy vest or jacket, and some hippie sunglasses with round frames to make the look even better!  This one is an easy way to make do with whatever you have, and don’t be afraid to ask your parents if they have anything (you never know if they’ll have some old sunglasses or other accessories!)

4. 80’s Outfit

Items needed:

Neon Clothes

Leg warmers

Bright makeup (optional)

Yes, another decade costume, but these are so easy to pull off!  To relive the 80s all  you need is to wear a lot of neon.  Guys, if you have a tracksuit, now is the time to wear it! Ladies, have fun with bright dramatic makeup!  If you’re in need of fun neon accessories, dollar stores or stores like Five Below usually have inexpensive things during this season.

5. Witch/Vampire

Black clothes

Cape (optional)

Witch Hat/Witch Tights/Vampire Fangs (optional)

If all else fails, you can go with one of the most classic Halloween costumes.  There’s a pretty good chance you already have a witch hat somewhere in your house, and if not you can get one at the dollar store.  The rest of the outfit is really just black clothing.  A cape is optional, as are striped tights for the witch costume, but they do add to the look.  My friends and I were invited last-minute to perform in a show where we all had to be witches, and all of our costumes (except the green one in the middle) were made from clothes we already had around the house! For a vampire, you can pretty much do the same thing: wear fancy dark clothes, and maybe add some fake blood around your mouth.

I hope this article has convinced you that you don’t have to be a cat again for Halloween.  These are just a few options, there are so many more! Use your imagination and have fun!