If you’re as busy as we are around the PATTERN office—(yes, we did just launch a new issue!)—then it might’ve slipped your mind that Halloween is coming up, and fast. Maybe you’ve been scrolling through Pinterest and TikTok for inspo all month, but you haven’t brought yourself to hit ‘add to cart’ yet. But there are still options: Roll the dice with that last-minute online order, pick through the sparse Spirit Halloween shelves, take a page from the Mean Girls Bible and just wear lingerie and some form of animal ears. Or, you could skip all of that and go shopping in your own closet.
Need inspo? We’ve got you covered. PATTERN put together a list of five easy, last-minute costume ideas sourced entirely from clothes we already had at home (and that you probably have, too!) And when we say last-minute—we mean it. We put these costumes to the test to make sure each one can be achieved in twenty minutes or less, so you can get out the door and to your Halloweekend plans. Take a peek at the list below to see what we came up with!
Boxer
If you’ve got a matching athletic set and a robe, you’ve got everything you need to look like you’re ready to hit the ring. Try mixing and matching sports bras and bike shorts to change up the look! The best part about a boxer costume is the no-frills hair and makeup. If you’ve got the time, put your hair into two dutch braids—otherwise, a bun or ponytail works just fine. To finish it up, pair it with your favorite sneaks.
Ariana Grande
Whether or not you’ve got Grande’s music in your library, there’s no denying she’s crafted an instantly recognizable (and easily replicable!) style throughout her career. The star of this outfit is the shoes: Pair any tall boots with either a dress or a sweatshirt, throw that hair into the highest ponytail of your life, and bam! You’re a pop princess. Bonus points if you can scrounge up a microphone and nail that cat eye.
Pirate
Take advantage of the corset craze by transforming your favorite going-out top into a DIY pirate costume! Any color will do—all you’ll need to do is layer it on top of a shirt with poofy or flowy sleeves. Pair it with a skirt, boots, and a scarf. Lean into the grungy, Jack Sparrow vibe with a healthy dose of smudgy dark eyeliner.
Disco Diva
A disco diva takes many forms: a matching set, a sparkly skirt, and even a halter-neck dress can all work to achieve a groovy Halloween look. Want to go the extra mile? Add a coordinating headband and pair it with extra-fluffy hair. And if you don’t have a pair of go-go boots on hand, don’t fret—sneakers or heels will work too. Alternatively, you could opt to pair a halter top with some flare-leg pants for a similar 70s-inspired vibe.
Rockstar Girlfriend
You might have heard that the indie sleaze aesthetic is coming back this fall, making Halloween the perfect opportunity to break out your Doc Martens and dark-colored clothing. This costume offers plenty of flexibility—it could really be anything, so long as you follow one rule: more is more. Throw on the most obnoxious jacket in your closet, mix and match all the patterns and textures, and rough up that hair. Add a few too many accessories (don’t forget the sunglasses!) and dial up the attitude for the evening, and you’ve got that ‘I’m with the band’ look.
Still on the hunt for ideas? Check out our last Halloween costume guide for more options.
