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Every year without fail, away football games, homecoming, and my sorority’s Big Little night always seem to fall right around Halloween, leaving me with pretty much zero funds to invest in an awesome costume.
So, what’s a girl to do when she’s broke but still wants an amazing costume? Find free Halloween costume ideas, that’s what.
Don’t worry friends, CF is to the rescue! In this post, I’ve listed 58 non-lame and non-lazy easy Halloween costumes that you can create from pieces that you (or one of your BFFs) will certainly have in your closet.
Related reading: 26 Halloween Makeup Looks We Are Obsessing Over
Let’s get right to it!
Classic Halloween Costume Ideas
1. Cheerleader
A cheerleader is always a cute Halloween costume idea, and it’s pretty simple to pull off.
To make this costume, all you will need is a cute skirt like this one with a cropped tank to match. Print out a school logo and tape it on. Also, if you want to add even more to the costume, pair it with matching pom poms.
2. Black cat
Recreate this easy costume:
You can do basically anything for this outfit. You just need to have black clothing of some sort. (And I’m pretty sure every CF reader has some black clothing.)
If you draw some whiskers on your face and get some cheap cat ears like these from Amazon, you’ll be the finest feline of the night.
3. A Doll
Recreate this easy Halloween costume idea:
This one is instantly recognizable. For Barbie, all you need is a hot pink dress and matching high heels. If you have an acid-washed denim jacket or anything sequined, be sure to wear that, too! Another fun idea is to look in your sorority house’s costume closets or even your mom’s closet for an ’80s-inspired party dress.
Make your hair huge with hot rulers, a teasing comb, and a ton of hairspray. Finish with pink lipstick, shimmery pink blush, blue eyeshadow, and tons of black mascara.
You could also be a Bratz doll, as pictured above, with different makeup and edgier clothes. Your choice!
Related reading: 17 Trendy Halloween Costumes for Teenagers
4. Devil
Recreate this simple costume idea:
If you have ever been out on Halloween, you have definitely seen someone dressed as the devil.
This simple Halloween costume is super popular and is a fun idea for a costume that’s guaranteed to make you stand out. Just wear red and add some devil horns, and you’re good to go.
5. Dark Angel
Recreate this simple college Halloween costume idea:
A dark angel is such a cute college Halloween costume that’s a little unexpected. And it’s a great way to repurpose an old set of angel wings — a little spray paint and you’re good to go!
Wear all black and add a few accessories, this seriously couldn’t be easier.
6. Hippie
Thanks to ’70s fashion making a huge comeback, it should be a cinch to gather up all of the pieces you need for a fantastic hippie costume.
Start with a pair of bell bottom-shaped jeans and find your best tie-dye shirt to wear with them. Add fringe boots or platforms, then wear a hairband across your forehead.
Put waves in your hair or braid random strands around your face. Finish the look with layered statement jewelry, a faux fur or suede vest, and a cross-body bag.
7. Skeleton
A skeleton is a classic Halloween costume idea, and you can make this really cute and sexy by rocking a tight jumpsuit with a skeleton print on it.
The skeleton jumpsuits above are from Devil Walking, a store that carries tons of printed catsuits for Halloween. They have a huge selection of jumpsuits in every color and pattern you can think of.
If you’re artistic, you could also DIY this costume idea with a plain catsuit and some fabric paint, or just leggings and a top with stickers.
Related reading: 16 Super Cute Sexy Costume Ideas for Halloween
8. Wednesday Addams
Recreate this easy Halloween costume idea for college:
I love this easy Halloween costume. It’s so simple, but everyone will know who you are.
For this, you need a black dress with a collar or a black dress and a white shirt with a collar. Bonus points if you can get the pigtails and act like you don’t care about anything.
{RELATED POST: 13 Little Black Dress Halloween Costume Ideas}
9. Modern Witch
Recreate this easy Halloween costume idea:
With a black dress, some white tights, black boots, and a round hat, you’ve got yourself a costume worthy of the coven from American Horror Story.
Simple and Easy Halloween Costume Ideas
10. Holly Golightly
Get this Halloween costume:
There are a few key components to this classy Halloween costume.
The main ones include a little black dress, some pearls, and the iconic cat-eye sunglasses. Pull your hair into a chignon, and maybe add a tiara while you’re at it.
Bonus points if you go out with a cup of coffee and a pastry in your gloved hands.
11. Sandy from Grease
Leather leggings, red heels, a black bodysuit or tank top, and a leather jacket make up this ensemble. Bonus points if you break out in song whenever you need to make an important decision.
12. Golden Goddess
This costume is so beautiful and so simple to do. All you need for a golden goddess look is a gold outfit (could be anything), some gold makeup, gold jewelry, and an (optional) goddess headdress. Don’t forget body shimmer for that goddess glow.
This one is seriously so much fun and will make you feel gorgeous all night!
13. A Parisian
Recreate this easy costume idea:
If you’d like a little comfort and glamour in your Halloween costume, dress up like a Parisian this year.
Grab a beret, striped shirt, black skinny pants, ballet flats and add a pop of color with a bright red scarf and you’re good to go!
If you really want to play up your look, grab a coffee mug and a distinguished-looking novel.
14. Space Cowgirl
This cute Halloween costume idea kind of reminds me of Kacey Musgraves’ vibe. It couldn’t be easier and it’s so adorable — everyone will be wishing they thought of it!
To get a space cowgirl costume, you just need a metallic ensemble (ideally in pink or silver) and a cowboy hat! The rest is up to you, but the more bling the better. (“Rhinestone cowgirl” would be another cute variation on this look, if you have tons of sparkly items.)
Oh, and if you have cowboy boots in your closet, don’t forget those to finish the look!
15. Billie Eilish
Recreate this simple Halloween costume:
If you are a huge fan of Billie Eilish or you just like her style, you can transform yourself into her this Halloween by copying one of her outfits from her music videos.
To get this costume inspired by the video for “Happier Than Ever,” you just need a baggy graphic tee, which Billie can be seen wearing in the music video. (I bet you already have one in your closet!) Also, if you want to really look like Billie, you can add a bleach blonde wig that matches her hairstyle.
16. Britney Spears
Recreate this simple Halloween costume idea:
Everybody has been talking about Britney Spears. So, why not pay tribute to everyone’s favorite pop star and dress up as her for Halloween?
Britney has so many famous looks, but to be instantly recognizable, go for one of her outfits from her music videos.
An iconic outfit of Britney’s is her schoolgirl look in her music video for “…Baby One More Time.” To get this look, you will need a black skirt that you can pair with a white button-up shirt, and don’t forget the cute fluffy pink scrunchies to get the hairstyle.
17. Ariana Grande
Recreate this Halloween costume idea:
Ariana Grande is another favorite celebrity that makes a great Halloween costume, especially if you have long hair you can pull into a high pony.
To get one of her outfits, wear a black dress with large round earrings and some gloves and you will have your Ariana Grande costume! Again, the hair and makeup are key for this look. (Here’s a tutorial to get her beauty vibe from the Positions video.)
18. Nerd
Recreate this easy Halloween costume idea:
All you need for this quick costume is a button-down shirt (buttoned all the way up!), a sweater vest, geeky glasses, oxford shoes, and a fun bow tie.
Bonus points if you wrap tape around the middle of your glasses and put your hair up in some disheveled high pigtails!
19. A 1950s Housewife à la I Love Lucy
Recreate this easy costume:
Full-skirted dresses are so much fun to wear and there’s no better way to celebrate than to pull yours out for Halloween! Pair a 1950s-inspired dress with a cute apron, pearls, high heels, poofy ponytail, and bright red lipstick for a Lucy vibe.
20. Marilyn Monroe
Recreate this easy costume idea:
Another person you may want to dress up as is Marilyn Monroe. This is a super easy costume because you can base it on the classic scene where Marilyn is wearing a white dress.
Just make sure to get a white dress with a fit and flare style, and put some red lipstick and black eyeliner on and you will have your Marilyn Monroe look!
Easy Halloween Costumes From Movies and TV Shows
21. Regina George from Mean Girls
Recreate this easy Halloween costume:
Just cut a couple of holes in a white tank top for this one, and you will be so fetch. Everyone will admire and fear you for the queen bee you are.
For more on this idea, we talk about a group Plastics costume in our post on girly Halloween costumes from movies.
22. Black Widow
Recreate this easy Halloween costume:
If you are a Marvel fan or if you just want a costume with a sexy vibe, you can turn yourself into the Black Widow this Halloween with a simple outfit!
All you’ll need to become this superhero is a black jumpsuit with long sleeves to match the Black Widow’s signature black outfit.
23. Cher (Clueless)
Recreate this easy Halloween costume:
A matching yellow blazer and skirt set and some knee-high white socks are the main players in this costume, although some mary jane shoes may be a good idea as well.
This look in general has come back in recent seasons, so you can find the exact pieces at a variety of stores.
24. Sabrina Spellman
Recreate this easy Halloween costume:
This classic fall show has some amazing outfits, and I’m not just saying it because most of them have vintage aesthetic. (See our full Sabrina Spellman style guide for more on our leading lady’s look!)
A Sabrina costume is pretty simple, just use a red off-the-shoulder sweater, a black skirt, and a black headband. Bonus points if you can find a black cat to follow you around.
Alternate idea: A Prudence Night costume would be easy to do as well, if you have hair styling skills and/or prefer an edgier vibe!
25. Blair Waldorf
Recreate this easy Halloween costume:
Blair Waldorf is another iconic character that you might want to dress up as on Halloween. Blair has so many great outfits to choose from.
But, if you really want to get the Blair Waldorf look that everyone will recognize, I recommend wearing a yellow headband, which is one of her famous styles from Season 1.
Also, you should purchase a white top with a bow in the front, which will give you a classic Blair Waldorf kind of outfit.
26. G.I. Jane
Recreate this easy Halloween costume:
If you have camouflage or military-inspired clothing, dressing up as G.I. Jane (or a generic person in the armed forces) is a great and patriotic option!
Some combination of skinny cargos, an army anorak, a camo jacket, or a patched button-down will work great for this look. Demi Moore as G.I. Jane had a bald head, but feel free to leave yours down or tucked into a hat. Smudge dirt (or brown eyeshadow) on your face for added effect. Finish with a pair of combat boots and you’re good to go!
27. Elle Woods
Recreate this easy Halloween costume idea:
One of my all-time favorite movie characters is Elle Woods. If you love the color pink or if you are also a fan of this iconic character, you can definitely dress the part for Halloween.
Honestly, this one is a cinch — just wear head-to-toe pink! If you’re shopping for this one, I recommend getting a pink midi dress like the one she wears in the movie with some pink heels to match.
28. Harley Quinn
Recreate this college Halloween costume idea:
If you are into comics, you may also want to dress up as your favorite character. Harley Quinn has been a popular college Halloween costume for years now, and she’s still popular as ever this fall.
If you are considering dressing up as her for Halloween, I recommend basing your outfit on the looks she wears in the movie, Birds of Prey.
To get an outfit like Harley’s, make sure to wear very colorful clothing. For example, one piece of clothing she often wears is a colorful jacket, so you could totally wear something like that to get a Harley Quinn costume. And, if you really want to transform yourself into Harley Quinn, make sure to stamp a black heart on your face to match her tattoo.
29. Dorothy Gale from The Wizard of Oz
Recreate this Halloween costume idea:
A classic movie character that you may want to dress up as for Halloween is Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz.
This one is super easy, just make sure to wear a blue and white dress like this one and put your hair in braids and you will be good to go! Bonus points for any type of red shoe.
30. Lola Bunny from Space Jam
Recreate this easy Halloween costume idea:
We all know that everything ’90s is back right now, and that includes movies! Space Jam was an iconic film from the decade and a Lola Bunny costume is such a cute costume idea.
To make this easy college Halloween costume, all you need is a cropped tank and shorts in white. You may already have one of these in your closet, or you can buy a set for cheap that you’ll wear again and again. Print out the TuneSquad logo and everyone will know who you are.
Throw your hair in a ponytail and rock some sneakers and you’re good to go!
College Halloween Costume Ideas You Can Try With Friends
31. Powerpuff Girls
This is an amazing group Halloween costume — just round up two friends and dress in each character’s signature shade. You can wear pretty much anything so long as you’re wearing your girl’s colors, so have fun and bring your own style to it!
Make sure to add hair accessories to give off a signature Power Puff vibe! So cute.
32. Euphoria characters
Euphoria is an insanely popular show with amazing style, so this is such a fun group Halloween costume idea!
You can go as big or as small with this as you want. Grab your bestie and go as Cassie and Maddy, or grab your group and go as the whole squad. Be sure to go all out with cool makeup for that Euphoria feel.
Recreate this easy college Halloween costume:
If you want to make this super easy, you can buy Cassie and Maddy’s cheerleader uniforms on Amazon:
33. Bank robbers
Recreate this easy costume:
Honestly, for this costume, you probably don’t need more than a striped or black shirt and a black beanie, although if you wanted a mask you can buy one for pretty cheap here.
Related reading: 20 Creative & Fun Three-Person Halloween Costumes
34. Daphne and Velma
Recreate these easy Halloween costumes:
I like that this is a day or night look for the characters. Also, that red beret is adorable.
For Velma, you need a pair of glasses, an orange sweater, a red skirt, and orange knee-high socks.
For Daphne, you need a purple dress or a skirt and jacket combo and a purple headband. These are some groovy costumes!
35. Napoleon Dynamite and Pedro
Recreate this easy costume:
You can buy a vote for Pedro shirt like in the movie here. The Napoleon costume also works well with some old glasses.
The Pedro one needs a Western-style belt, a white shirt, and a bolo tie.
Otherwise, you both just need a pair of jeans.
36. Winx Club
Recreate this simple Halloween costume:
Channel your childhood by dressing up as Winx Club characters! There are six main members from the early seasons, so this is a fantastic group costume idea.
Each member has her own style, but the outfits lean heavily to crop tops, mini skirts, and colorful everything — so you will probably have similar items in your closet already!
Need more tips on dressing like the Winx Club characters? We have a whole post on Winx Club fashion, with outfits for each character.
37. Biker Chick(s)
Recreate this easy Halloween costume:
This one could not be easier — or cuter! It’s a cute solo costume, but it’s even better if you can get a group of girls to do it with you for your own biker gang.
Just pair a Harley tee with your best leather skirt and combat boots. Add ripped tights for extra edge and be sure to layer on the eye makeup. You’re good to go!
38. Monster High Characters
Monster High has been in the news a lot lately with the announcement of the upcoming series reboot and musical inspired by the characters. So why not grab your friends and dress like Monster High characters this Halloween?
Again, there are so many ways you can go with this costume, depending on how many people you have. Check out the video above for some Monster High costume ideas that you can create with clothes you already own!
39. The Cast of The Breakfast Club
This idea will only work if you have a group of five friends. The great thing about The Breakfast Club is, the characters (and stereotypes) of the film are so recognizable, that you could totally make this work with either a co-ed group or a pack of girls!
For Bender, you’ll need a pair of pants (the color’s not that important), a red flannel shirt, denim jacket, wayfarers, and black fingerless gloves, which you can make by snipping the ends off of some cheap black ones. Andy will need jeans and a varsity jacket, and Brian will need a green sweater, khaki pants, and a geeky lunchbox. Allison’s look is achieved by wearing baggy black clothes and a faux-fur lined winter coat, while Claire’s outfit requires a long brown skirt, brown boots, a pink top, and a silk scarf.
For a more detailed breakdown of the outfits from the film, check out our post, Fashion Inspired by The Breakfast Club.
40. Linda and Heather
Recreate this cute Halloween costume idea:
If you follow TikTok trends or just grew up with the Disney Channel, you’ll recognize this one. Linda and Heather from Liv & Maddie makes such a cute BFF costume idea!
This one does require wigs and headbands, but the rest is really just colorful clothing — you don’t have to get it exact! Bright colors are trending this year, so break out your brightest pieces and have fun with it.
Just make sure you memorize the song and dance for this one — no excuses!
College Halloween Costume Ideas for Girls on a Budget
41. Frida Kahlo
Recreate this costume idea:
For this costume, you mainly need a flower crown and a unibrow, which you can draw in with a brow pencil. You could make your own flower crown like this tutorial or buy one.
You can wear any dress for this, though floral or lace would work the best.
42. Rosie the riveter
Recreate this easy costume idea:
This iconic costume is relatively easy to pull off. All you need is a red bandana, a denim shirt, and a pair of jeans.
Pull your hair back and strike a pose for feminists everywhere.
43. Tourist
Recreate this easy Halloween costume idea:
Break out your Hawaiian shirt and a fanny pack for this. Bonus points if you can find some dad-like sunglasses and a lei.
44. Alex DeLarge from A Clockwork Orange
Recreate this easy Halloween costume idea:
If you’re a film geek and want to catch the eye of other cinephiles, Alex DeLarge from A Clockwork Orange would be an awesome and edgy costume option. This controversial movie is a cult favorite, so you’d better catch the movie on Netflix and read up on a few trivia facts on the film’s IMDB page if you plan on rocking this look!
Clothing-wise, Alex’s look is pretty simple — you really just need a white top, white pants, black boots, and suspenders. You can make this costume a little more sexy by substituting the pants and long sleeve top for shorts and a tank top instead. A black bowler hat and cane will be easy to find at any Halloween or party supply store.
And now for the fun part of your costume — the eye makeup. While leaving one eye bare (or with very light makeup on), heavily line your other eye with black liquid liner, and add false eyelashes to emphasize the look.
This costume is also great for any of you girls who want to dress as someone sinister, but not look too “scary-scary” on Halloween.
45. Mia Wallace from Pulp Fiction
Recreate this college Halloween costume idea:
This costume idea is a classic for a reason — everyone LOVES the movie Pulp Fiction, and Mia Wallace‘s look is immediately recognizable and SO easy to put together.
All you’ll really need are black pants, a men’s white dress shirt, and a way to make your hair look just like Uma Thurman’s did in the movie. You can either buy a black bob wig from the Halloween store, or fake it by rolling your ponytail under to form a “faux-bob” and using temporary spray hair color. Carry a candy cigarette around with you all night (a trophy is optional), and always be the first girl out on the dance floor!
46. Marty McFly from Back to the Future
Recreate this college Halloween costume idea:
Here’s another great option for all of you film buffs. Dress as the ultimate ’80s teenage hero — Marty McFly from Back to the Future!
To get Marty’s look, wear a button-down shirt with a jean jacket (pick one up at any thrift shop if you don’t have one) and your staple down vest (bonus points if it’s orange). Add jeans and white tennis shoes, and look for a pair of aviation goggles at a Halloween store to wear pushed up on your forehead.
This costume idea would be fun because there are so many quotable lines from the film, and it will keep you warm if you happen to be at a bonfire or some other type of outdoor gathering. Plus, if you have a boyfriend or a best friend, they could easily make a Dr. Emmett Brown costume by wearing a lab coat and a gray wig!
47. Punny Halloween Costumes
I know these costumes are love/hate for some of you, but if you have a quirky sense of humor, a bit of imagination, and a small budget, this route might be the perfect one for you.
Pictured above is writer Chelsea‘s little sister dressed as a Deviled Egg!
Other funny options are a Cereal Killer, a Black Eyed “P”, a Baller-rina, Cat Burglar, a Pastafarian, or a Pig in a Blanket.
48. Waldo
Recreate this easy Halloween costume:
With a striped red shirt and a red beanie, people can’t help but spot you. Bonus points if you have glasses and hide whenever someone asks you what your costume is.
49. Selina Kyle / Catwoman
Recreate this cute Halloween costume idea:
Another crazy popular superhero film, The Dark Knight Rises broke box office records like crazy. Like Scarlett in the Avengers, Selina Kyle, the catsuit-clad leading lady (Anne Hathaway), was the movie’s fashion force.
This costume is beyond easy if you’re a brunette. As in the case of the Black Widow, you probably don’t want to buy the actual catsuit. However, Selina’s Catwoman outfit has enough accessories that the suit isn’t required.
Again, go for leather leggings and add a tight black long sleeved top and high heeled boots. Buy (or make) a black mask and get goggles or sunglasses to wear on your head as “ears”. Rock a red lip and tell everyone you meet, “there’s a storm coming, Mr. Wayne.”
50. Joel Goodson in Risky Business
Recreate this cute Halloween costume idea:
You’ve probably seen this costume at parties before — but it’s such a classic, I couldn’t leave it off my list!
To do a Risky Business costume, you just need a men’s button-down dress shirt and a pair of tube socks. I recommend wearing a small pair of exercise shorts under your shirt instead of tighty whiteys, though!
Add a pair of wayfarers to this outfit, too — although Tom Cruise doesn’t wear them in this particular scene, Risky Business is credited as one of the main reasons why Ray-Ban wayfarers made a huge comeback in the ’80s!
Easy Halloween Costumes: Disney Costumes
51. Kim Possible
Recreate this easy Halloween costume:
You can use khaki pants or green cargo pants for this. Then you need a black long-sleeve shirt and some riding gloves.
Bonus points if you can find a belt to hold all your gadgets and ask everyone you meet, “What’s the sitch?”
52. Snow White
Recreate this easy costume:
This costume is pretty easy to put together.
If you have a yellow skirt or pants and a blue shirt you’re pretty much set. Red shoes and red hair bow like this one (which a lot of people have used for Snow White costumes) help tie the whole look together.
Bonus points if you can find something apple-themed like this bag to take with you. (Or just grab an apple from the dining hall…)
53. Alice in Wonderland
Recreate this easy costume for college:
You could do this costume and the next one as a group with your BFF or your significant other.
You need white tights, a black bow, a blue dress, and a white apron. If you had a long blue dress and a white apron you could do this as a Belle costume from Beauty and the Beast.
54. White Rabbit
Recreate this Halloween costume for college:
This costume is adorable, and it only has a few components.
For this easy Halloween costume, you just need a white dress, red blazer, white tights, rabbit ears, and something clock-themed like this.
55. Cinderella
Recreate this Halloween costume for college:
Who doesn’t love feeling like a princess? And you totally can on Halloween if you dress up as a princess. All you need is a cute dress and a tiara.
If you really want to go all out, you can choose to dress up as your favorite Disney princess. You may think this is hard, but it is actually super easy. All you need to do is decide which princess you want to dress up as and choose a dress to match their signature color. Then grab one accessory of theirs.
For example, if you love Cinderella, wear a light blue dress and add a tiara and you will be good to go for Halloween!
56. Tinker Bell (or other fairy)
Recreate this cute Halloween costume idea:
Another Disney movie character that you could dress up as is Tinker Bell! I love the idea of dressing up as a fairy for a Halloween costume because you can wear wings and a cute dress.
But, if you want to make sure you look just like Tinker Bell, make sure to get a dress that matches Tinker Bell’s signature green color! This neon shade is trending this year, so it’s easy to find in any store.
57. Cruella de Vil
Recreate this easy costume idea:
If you saw the live-action version of 101 Dalmations, it may make you want to dress up as Cruella de Vil this Halloween, which you totally should!
All you need is a black long sleeve maxi dress and a black and white wig to really get the Cruella look!
58. Mary Poppins
Recreate this easy Halloween costume idea:
For this costume, you need a white button-down shirt, a black skirt, and an umbrella. See if any guys you know have a red bow tie.
Bonus points if you can get your hands on a black hat like this one, which you could adorn with cheap fake flowers.
What are your go-to easy Halloween costumes?
For more Halloween costume ideas, be sure to see our guide to our favorite best friend Purge outfits for Halloween.
Have you started your Halloween costume yet? What are you going as? What’s your favorite costume in the post? I can’t get over the Daphne and Velma costume!
Editor’s note: This post was originally published in 2011; it was completely updated and revamped in 2024 with new photos and information.
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