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21 last-minute Halloween costumes that are ridiculously easy to make

Lucy Yang,Talia Lakritz   

21 last-minute Halloween costumes that are ridiculously easy to make
Go as Sandy from "Grease" this year.Mike Coppola/Getty Images
  • You can make last-minute Halloween costumes with clothes you already have in your closet.
  • Movie characters like Sandy from "Grease" or Joel Goodsen in "Risky Business" make for easy costumes.
  • A bit of makeup can become a mime, a scarecrow, or a makeup tutorial costume.

If you're really pressed for time, turn yourself into a makeup tutorial this year.

If you
This one's easy for beauty enthusiasts.      puhhha/Shutterstock

All you have to do is contour your face without blending it out, throw on some concealer, and accessorize with a makeup sponge or brush. The best part? You can wear anything you want.

Recreate one of Damian's funniest scenes in "Mean Girls."

Recreate one of Damian
This one should take minutes to put together.      Ariel Ray Hamilton

Just throw on a blue hoodie; sunglasses; and a sign that says, "She doesn't even go here!"

See more from Ariel Ray Hamilton on YouTube and Instagram.

For the ultimate throwback costume, dress up as denim-clad Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake.

For the ultimate throwback costume, dress up as denim-clad Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake.
Who can forget their iconic outfits at the 2001 American Music Awards?      Mark J. Terrill/AP

This one's pretty straightforward and great for couples, too. Just wear anything you have in your closet that's made of or looks like denim.

If you have a lot of pink clothing, go as Elle Woods from "Legally Blonde."

If you have a lot of pink clothing, go as Elle Woods from "Legally Blonde."
To go the extra mile, carry a stuffed dog around all night.      MGM

Just throw on an all-pink ensemble and maybe some pink sunglasses or pink accessories to match.

Or throw it back to the '90s and dress up as Cher Horowitz from "Clueless."

Or throw it back to the
There's no shortage of iconic looks in "Clueless."      Paramount Pictures

All you need is a black blazer or jacket, white top, plaid skirt, white knee-high socks, and lots of shopping bags.

Go as Sandy from "Grease."

Go as Sandy from "Grease."
Gigi Hadid wore the look at Heidi Klum's annual Halloween party in 2015.      Mike Coppola/Getty Images

Arguably one of the most recognizable movie outfits of all time, Sandy's edgy, all-black ensemble at the end of "Grease" is easy to recreate. Just throw on black skinny jeans or leggings, a black off-the-shoulder top, a black leather jacket, and red lipstick.

Throw on some mime makeup this year.

Throw on some mime makeup this year.
You don't even have to put on white face paint.      Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Put on a black-and-white striped shirt or dress, bright red lipstick, white gloves, and mime makeup.

Throw on some scarecrow makeup and get on with your day.

Throw on some scarecrow makeup and get on with your day.
Make the look as scary or tame as you want.      Jessica Lyn

This costume will work best if you have a plaid shirt, overalls, and cowboy boots. But you can also just draw some seams and patches on your face, and head out the door in whatever you want to wear.

See more from Jessica Lyn on Instagram.

Transform into Tom Cruise's character, Joel Goodsen, in "Risky Business."

Transform into Tom Cruise
It'll take you minutes at most.      Lucas Jackson/Reuters

To recreate this look from the famous "Risky Business" dance scene, throw on a long white button-up, shorts, tube socks, and sunglasses.

If you have a white button-up, you can also dress up as Holly Golightly from "Breakfast at Tiffany's."

If you have a white button-up, you can also dress up as Holly Golightly from "Breakfast at Tiffany
This is a great option if you already have a sleeping mask.      Jerod Harris/Getty Images

This chic look from "Breakfast at Tiffany's" will keep you comfortable all night long. To complete the outfit, add a sleeping mask, some dangly earrings, and lots of mascara (or false lashes).

Go as Baby Houseman and Johnny Castle from "Dirty Dancing."

Go as Baby Houseman and Johnny Castle from "Dirty Dancing."
It's a great last-minute idea for a couples costume.      Hannes Magerstaedt/Getty Images

To recreate this iconic movie look, you and your partner will need a pale pink dress, a black T-shirt, black jeans, and black shoes.

Recreate Angelina Jolie's iconic red carpet look at the 2012 Oscars.

Recreate Angelina Jolie
Throw it back to this memorable moment.      Amy Sancetta/AP

All you have to do is throw on a black dress and stick your leg out very, very, very far away from your body — especially when you're taking photos.

Go as an Olympic athlete this year.

Go as an Olympic athlete this year.
Don't forget to bite your medal in photos.      Julio Cortez/AP

Just choose a sport, don the appropriate athletic gear, and draw on a tattoo of the Olympic rings. You can even create a silver medal using aluminum foil.

Turn yourself into the next Bachelor or Bachelorette.

Turn yourself into the next Bachelor or Bachelorette.
You can wear clothing from your closet.      ABC

If you want to turn some heads this year, turn yourself into a contestant from ABC's "Bachelor" series. Just throw on a beautiful gown or a fancy suit and add a red rose.

Ditch your pants and become a trendy celebrity.

Ditch your pants and become a trendy celebrity.
Kim Kardashian is a huge fan of this bold look.      Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

The "no pants" trend is everywhere lately, and, luckily, the look is easy to achieve.

Just throw on an oversized blazer, jacket, or sweatshirt, and head out the door. If you want to create a pants-free illusion, you can also opt for a pair of bike shorts.

Or throw on a fancy hat and go as a member of the British royal family.

Or throw on a fancy hat and go as a member of the British royal family.
Remember to match your fascinator to your outfit.      Chris Jackson/Getty Images

If you need some inspiration, check out this list of the wildest hats guests wore to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding in 2018.

Create a Coachella costume in minutes.

Create a Coachella costume in minutes.
Just wear every trend you can think of.      Jerod Harris/Getty Images

This one's especially easy if you've ever been to a music festival. Check out these over-the-top celebrity looks to get the ball rolling.

If you wear a lot of black, repurpose your wardrobe into a Catwoman costume.

If you wear a lot of black, repurpose your wardrobe into a Catwoman costume.
It's a simple and timeless look.      Beth Gwinn/Getty Images

To dress up as the comic book icon, throw on a tight black top, tight black bottoms, black shoes, and black gloves (if you have them). You can also draw on a mask with makeup.

Terrify friends and strangers alike in a clown costume.

Terrify friends and strangers alike in a clown costume.
You can also dress up as a friendly clown.      Warner Bros.

You can quickly use makeup to distort and exaggerate your features. All you really need is white eyeliner or face paint, red lipstick, and black eyeliner.

Go as a cactus — it takes less time than you'd think.

Go as a cactus — it takes less time than you
You can also add a "Can't Touch This" sign.      Jeff Mindell/Studio DIY

Instead of making this cute DIY costume with white yarn and hot glue, you can just attach white clothespins to a green dress, top, or sweater. It'll save you a ton of time and still look adorable.

Transform into cultural icon Rosie the Riveter this year.

Transform into cultural icon Rosie the Riveter this year.
Rosie the Riveter costumes.      Paul Chinn/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images

You'll need a red bandana, a blue top, and some red lipstick.


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