The Costume Rack blog

100 guides

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Closet costumes by garment

Halloween Costume Ideas With All Black Clothes (16 Builds)Halloween costume ideas with all black clothes, sorted by what you own: black tee, dress, hoodie or suit. 16 builds with the one or two add-ons each needs.
Halloween Costume With White Shirt and Black Pants: 10 Ideas10 ideas for a Halloween costume with white shirt and black pants: vampire, pirate, zombie office worker and more, plus skirt and jeans variations.
Halloween Costume With a Nightgown: 8 Spooky Ideas8 spooky ideas for a Halloween costume with a nightgown: Victorian ghost, sleepwalker, zombie bride and phantom, plus no-makeup versions and warm layers.
Halloween Costume With a Tutu: 12 Ideas for Teens and Adults12 ideas for a Halloween costume with a tutu, for teens and adults: fairy, angel, black cat, bat and cute clown builds, plus group looks and staying warm.
Halloween Costume With a Black Hoodie: 10 Cosy Ideas10 cosy ideas for a Halloween costume with a black hoodie: bat, black cat, skeleton, werewolf and more, with felt add-ons you can make in an evening.
Halloween Costume With a Black Skirt: 10 Quick IdeasNeed a Halloween costume with a black skirt? 10 quick builds, from witch and black cat to pirate and vampire, with every piece listed and closet swaps.
Halloween Costume With a Black Suit: 10 Ideas That ReadNeed a Halloween costume with a black suit? 10 ideas that read instantly, from vampire and ringmaster to zombie groom, with the exact pieces each one needs.
Halloween Costume With a Black Turtleneck: 9 Easy Ideas9 easy ideas for a Halloween costume with a black turtleneck: black cat, bat, cat burglar, spy and more, each with a short piece list and a no-makeup option.
Halloween Costume With Cowboy Boots: 10 Ideas Beyond Cowboy10 Halloween costume with cowboy boots ideas: classic cowboy and cowgirl, scarecrow, rodeo clown, space cowgirl and red or white boot builds, pieces included.
Halloween Costume With a Denim Jacket: 10 Easy Ideas10 easy Halloween costume with a denim jacket ideas: cowboy, 80s rocker, scarecrow, zombie and more, with every piece listed and a no-makeup version for each.
Halloween Costume With a Flannel Shirt: 12 Easy IdeasNeed a Halloween costume with a flannel shirt? 12 easy ideas sorted by red, green and blue flannel, with a piece list and a no-makeup option for each one.
Halloween Costume With a Fur Coat: 9 Warm Ideas9 warm Halloween costume with a fur coat ideas for cold nights: werewolf, snow queen, glam villain, cave dweller and couples, plus what to wear under it.
Halloween Costume With a Green Dress: 10 Ideas to Try10 Halloween costume with a green dress ideas without licensed characters: forest fairy, witch, pumpkin vine, sea witch and more, with the pieces for each.
Halloween Costume With a Lab Coat: 9 Ideas Beyond DoctorOwn a lab coat? 9 Halloween costume with a lab coat ideas that go past doctor: mad scientist, zombie scientist, ghost hunter and more, built piece by piece.
Halloween Costume With a Leather Jacket: 10 Ideas10 Halloween costume with a leather jacket ideas using the jacket you already own: rocker, biker, vampire, werewolf, 50s greaser and more, with every piece.
Halloween Costume With Leggings: 10 Comfy Ideas10 comfy Halloween costume with leggings ideas, from black cat and skeleton to bat and pumpkin, with full piece lists, hoodie builds and tips to stay warm.
Halloween Costume With a Long Black Dress: 10 Ideas10 ideas for a Halloween costume with a long black dress: witch, vampire, gothic bride, fortune teller and more, with piece lists and no-makeup versions.
Halloween Costume With an Orange Shirt: 8 Easy Ideas8 easy Halloween costume with an orange shirt ideas, led by a 10-minute pumpkin build, plus how to add a face without face paint and what to wear with it.
Halloween Costume With Overalls: 12 Ideas You Can Build Tonight12 Halloween costume with overalls ideas for denim, overall shorts and overall dresses. Scarecrow, farmer, pumpkin and more, with a piece list for each.
Halloween Costume With Pajamas: 10 Cosy Ideas10 cosy Halloween costume with pajamas ideas: sleepwalker zombie, ghost, black cat, bat and group builds, plus how to make comfy PJs read as a costume.
Halloween Costume With a Pink Dress: 10 Cute Ideas10 cute Halloween costume with a pink dress ideas: fairy, angel, party clown, sweet treat, spooky-cute zombie and group builds, with every add-on listed.
Halloween Costume With Red Dress Ideas: 11 Looks, No ShoppingHalloween costume with red dress ideas sorted by length and fabric: long, short, velvet, sparkly and gingham. 11 looks, including devil builds and couples.
Halloween Costume With a Trench Coat: 10 Ideas That ReadHalloween costume with a trench coat ideas sorted by color: tan, brown, black and red. 10 builds that read across a room, with the add-ons each needs.
Halloween Costume With a Varsity Jacket: 10 Ideas10 ideas for a Halloween costume with a varsity jacket: retro 50s sock hop, zombie athlete, undead prom king and sporty werewolf, built from your closet.
Halloween Costume With a White Dress: 12 Ideas to Try12 ideas for a Halloween costume with a white dress, sorted by long, short, lace and black-and-white. Angel, ghost, bride and more, each with a piece list.
Halloween Costume With a Yellow Raincoat: 8 Rain-Proof Ideas8 Halloween costume with a yellow raincoat ideas that stay dry on a wet night: fisherman, sailor, storm chaser, spooky raincoat kid and group builds.

Comfort, weather and fit

Comfortable Halloween Costumes for Work: 15 Desk-Friendly Ideas15 comfortable Halloween costumes for work you can sit, type and take calls in. Built on work clothes with one add-on, plus easy team versions.
Halloween Costume Ideas for Tall People: 12 That Use Your Height12 Halloween costume ideas for tall people that make your height the point, from werewolves to scarecrows, plus closet builds and tall-and-short pairings.
Halloween Costume With a Beard: 12 Ideas That Use ItThe best Halloween costume with a beard makes it the star: 12 ideas from pirate and cowboy to werewolf and zombie, plus how to style your beard for each.
Halloween Costume With a Walker: 10 Fun, Easy Ideas10 Halloween costume with a walker ideas that turn the frame into a pirate ship, pumpkin cart or ghost float, plus safe decorating tips and group ideas.
Halloween Costume With an Arm Sling: 10 Ideas That WorkIn a sling this October? 10 Halloween costume with an arm sling ideas that turn the sling into the costume, from pirate to mummy, easy to wear one-handed.
Halloween Costume With Crutches: 10 Ideas That Include ThemOn crutches? 10 Halloween costume with crutches ideas that turn them into props, from pirate peg leg to skeleton, plus safe ways to decorate them.
Halloween Costume With Curly Hair: 12 Ideas That Use Your CurlsPick a Halloween costume with curly hair that shows off your curls: 12 ideas from witch and fairy to clown and werewolf, plus how to protect them from hats.
Halloween Costumes for People With Glasses: 14 Ideas14 Halloween costumes for people with glasses, where your frames fit or help, plus how to wear a mask or hood with glasses. Ideas for guys and girls.
Halloween Costumes for Short People: 12 Ideas That Fit12 Halloween costumes for short people that fit a petite frame, from black cats to bats and fairies, plus no-sew hemming tips and tall-and-short pairings.
How to Make a Halloween Costume Warmer (Without Hiding It)How to make a Halloween costume warmer without covering it up. Hidden base layers, tights, a coat that becomes part of the look, and warm ideas by vibe.
Warm Halloween Costumes for Teens: 14 Ideas for Cold Nights14 warm Halloween costumes for teens built on hoodies, coats and flannel you already own. Cold weather ideas for girls, guys and friend groups.
What to Wear Under a Halloween Costume (By Costume Type)What to wear under a Halloween costume, by type: sheets and cloaks, bag costumes and onesies, dresses, and thin or tight suits. Stay warm and covered.

Witch, vampire and cat DIY

Black Cat Costume Without Ears: 6 Ways It Still ReadsA black cat costume without ears still reads as a cat. These 6 swaps (tail, bell collar, drawn nose, hood ears, hair and pose) make it obvious at a glance.
How to Make Cat Ears Without a HeadbandHow to make cat ears without a headband: hair-bun ears, clip-on felt ears and hood ears, plus how to keep them on all night without a single headache.
How to Make a Cat Tail for a Costume Without SewingHow to make a cat tail for a costume without sewing: a stuffed-tights or fleece tail, how to make it stay up, and how to turn it into a wolf or fox tail.
How to Make Cat Ears Out of Paper That Last All NightHow to make cat ears out of paper that last all night: an adult-size cardstock template, a fold that keeps them upright, inner-ear color and a secure mount.
How to Make a Vampire Cape Without SewingHow to make a vampire cape without sewing: cut a half-circle, hem it with fabric tape, then build a stiff stand-up Dracula collar from felt and cardboard.
How to Make a Vampire Costume With Your Own ClothesHow to make a vampire costume with your own clothes: the vampire formula, closet capes and collars, looks for any style, accessories and a no-fangs option.
Vampire Costume Without Fangs: How to Still Look the PartA vampire costume without fangs still reads instantly. Use a high collar, a deep red accent, pale-and-dark contrast and slow posture. Here is the full build.
How to Make a Witch Hat Out of Cardboard (Adult Size)How to make a witch hat out of cardboard in adult size: measure your head, cut the cone, build a brim that does not flop, then add a band and buckle.
How to Make a Witch Hat Out of Felt (No Sewing Needed)How to make a witch hat out of felt with glue, not thread: cut a cone and brim, stiffen it so it holds, bend the tip, and decorate it. Fits teens and adults.

Pirate, cowboy, clown and pumpkin DIY

How to Make a Clown Costume Out of Normal ClothesHow to make a clown costume out of normal clothes by color blocking your brightest pieces, adding a paper ruff and pom-poms, and a no-makeup clown face. Easy.
How to Make a Cowboy Costume at Home (Any Closet)How to make a cowboy costume at home from denim, a checked shirt, a belt and boots, with no-hat and no-boots fallbacks plus cowgirl and ranch crew ideas.
How to Make an Eye Patch With a Bandana (or Felt)How to make an eye patch with a bandana, felt or cardboard for a pirate costume, plus a see-through trick so you can still walk safely at night. Ready fast.
How to Make a Clown Nose at Home (3 Easy Ways)How to make a clown nose at home 3 easy ways: sponge ball, foam ball or felt, plus how to keep it on without glue and finish the full clown costume.
How to Make a Pirate Costume With Regular ClothesHow to make a pirate costume with regular clothes: a loose shirt, a sash, tucked trousers and boots. An adult closet checklist, plus hat and eye patch ideas.
How to Make a Pirate Hat Out of Paper (Adult Size)How to make a pirate hat out of paper that fits an adult: a folded newspaper hat in 5 minutes or a poster board tricorn that survives a whole night out.
How to Make a Pumpkin Costume Without SewingHow to make a pumpkin costume without sewing, sized for adults: an orange top, a glued felt jack-o'-lantern face, a green stem hat and a rounder shape.
How to Make a Pumpkin Head Costume (Light and Safe)How to make a pumpkin head costume that is light, breathable and safe: a paper lantern or balloon base, a face you can see through and airflow tips for night.
How to Make a Werewolf Costume From ScratchHow to make a werewolf costume from scratch with flannel, torn denim, fur cuffs, ears and a tail. A no-mask DIY build for men, women and teens.

Wings, halos, horns and ears

How to Make Angel Wings Out of CardboardHow to make angel wings out of cardboard at adult size: cut the shape, layer paper or real feathers, add straps and finish the angel look in an afternoon.
How to Make Bat Wings Out of Cardboard or an UmbrellaHow to make bat wings out of cardboard or an old umbrella, adult-sized, with wrist loops so they flap when you move. Plus painting tips and the full bat look.
How to Make Devil Horns Headband: No-Sew Felt MethodHow to make a devil horns headband with no sewing: cut felt horns, stuff them so they stand, glue them to a band and hide it in your hair. Done in 30 minutes.
How to Make Devil Horns Out of Paper in 15 MinutesHow to make devil horns out of paper in 15 minutes: roll a cone, curve it, paint it glossy red and mount it on a headband or clips. Plus devil costume ideas.
How to Make Fairy Wings With Paper (Easy Version)How to make fairy wings with paper that survive a whole party: an adult-size method with cellophane shimmer, wire edges, painted veins and easy straps.
How to Attach Wings to a Costume So They Stay UpHow to attach wings to a costume so they don't flop: elastic backpack straps, a hidden harness, clips for light wings, hoodie mounts and tips for sitting.
How to Make a Halo Headband (Pipe Cleaner or Tinsel)How to make a halo headband three ways (pipe cleaner, tinsel or a floating wire halo) with steps to keep it upright all night and finish your angel look.
How to Make Wolf Ears: Headband Version With Faux FurHow to make wolf ears on a headband with felt and faux fur, plus a matching tail. Step by step, no sewing machine, and it finishes a real werewolf costume.

Group costume planning

Easy Halloween Costumes for Work Groups: 15 Team Ideas15 easy Halloween costumes for work groups that are office-appropriate, desk-friendly and built from work clothes, plus a simple way to run team sign-ups.
Group Costume When People Drop Out: How to Save the ThemeGroup costume when people drop out? Here's how to save the theme: dropout-proof ideas for any headcount, backup roles and a day-before rescue checklist.
Group Halloween Costumes for Trunk or Treat: 12 Themes12 group Halloween costumes for trunk or treat that match your car display, from haunted house to pirate ship, with family, cosy and church-friendly themes.
Halloween Costumes for Work Group of 3: 12 Office Trios12 Halloween costumes for work group of 3 coworkers: spooky, funny and closet-built office trios that stay desk-friendly, plus how to add a fourth later.
How to Coordinate Group Costumes With Friends (No Clashes)How to coordinate group costumes with friends in 5 steps: agree the vibe, pick a theme, claim costumes in one place, split them into pieces, set a deadline.
How to Decide on a Group Halloween Costume Without a FightHow to decide on a group Halloween costume without a fight: set 3 rules, shortlist 5 themes, run a quick vote, use fair tie-breakers and assign roles fast.
Matching Halloween Costumes for Friend Groups: 14 IdeasMatching Halloween costumes for friend groups that look planned: 14 ideas, the matching vs coordinating choice, and a shared-accessory trick for any size.
What to Do If Someone Wears the Same Halloween CostumeWhat to do if someone wears the same Halloween costume as you: quick fixes for the night, how to turn it into a duo, and how to stop costume twins next year.

Group costumes by size

Halloween Costume Ideas for 10 People (With 10 Real Roles)Halloween costume ideas for 10 people where every theme has 10 real roles and still works if 3 drop out. Spooky, funny and closet-built themes for adults.
Halloween Costumes for 3 People and a Dog: 10 IdeasHalloween costumes for 3 people and a dog where the dog's role is easy and comfy: 10 spooky, cute and funny ideas, comfort tips, and how to get the photo.
Halloween Costumes for 4 People 2 Couples Will LoveHalloween costumes for 4 people 2 couples will love: themes that work as two pairs and as a foursome, spooky and funny double-date ideas, plus photo poses.
Halloween Costumes for 7 People: 12 Themes With 7 RolesHalloween costumes for 7 people with seven named roles each: 12 spooky, funny and cute group themes, a fast way to assign them, and how to scale to 5 or 6.
Halloween Costumes for 8 People: 12 Themes With 8 RolesHalloween costumes for 8 people with eight named roles each: 12 spooky, funny and four-couple themes, closet builds, and a backup plan if someone cancels.
Halloween Costumes for 9 People: 10 Themes With 9 RolesHalloween costumes for 9 people, sized properly: 10 spooky and funny themes with nine named roles, leader-plus-eight ideas, and a fix if you end up with 8.
Halloween Costumes for a Big Group of Friends: 15 ThemesHalloween costumes for a big group of friends that flex to any headcount: 15 spooky, funny and cute themes, closet builds, and a sign-up method that works.

Skeleton, zombie and mummy DIY

How to Distress Clothes for Zombie Costume Looks, Step by StepHow to distress clothes for zombie costume looks with household items: cut, fray, sand, stain with tea, coffee and dirt, then set it so it does not rub off.
How to Make a Mummy Costume With GauzeHow to make a mummy costume with gauze: how much to buy, aging it in tea, wrapping over a base layer, stopping it unravelling, and face ideas without makeup.
How to Make a Mummy Costume Without SewingHow to make a mummy costume without sewing: tear and tea-stain strips, pick a base layer, wrap so it stays on all night, and finish with a no-makeup face.
How to Make a Skeleton Costume With Tape (No Paint)How to make a skeleton costume with tape, no paint: which tape will not ruin clothes, a simple bone map, ribs to hands, hoodie vs tee, and a glow option.
How to Tea Stain Fabric for a Costume (Aged Look)How to tea stain fabric for a costume: which fabrics take it, soak times, even vs patchy looks, coffee as a darker option, and costumes that use aged fabric.
How to Make a Zombie Costume Out of Old ClothesHow to make a zombie costume out of old clothes: pick a backstory, tear and dirty the fabric, try themed zombies and no-makeup faces, all from your closet.

No-makeup costumes

Clown Costume Without Makeup: 6 Ways to Still ReadSix ways to do a clown costume without makeup: red nose, ruffle collar, color blocking, wild hair and hats. Cute, funny and built from normal clothes.
Halloween Costume Without Makeup: 16 Ideas That Still Read16 Halloween costume without makeup ideas, from vampire to werewolf, that still read across a room. Swap face paint for hoods, props, color and hair.
Skeleton Costume Without Face Paint: 5 Easy OptionsSkip the paint: 5 skeleton costume without face paint options, from printed hoods and balaclavas to bandanas, bone gloves and glow, for teens and adults.
Witch Costume Without a Hat: 7 Ways to Still Read as a WitchNo pointy hat? 7 ways to pull off a witch costume without a hat: broom, cardigan, striped tights, dark lips, crystals and hair cues that say witch instantly.
Zombie Costume Without Makeup: How to Still Look UndeadHow to pull off a zombie costume without makeup: grimy torn clothes, wrecked hair, the shuffle, and props that say undead. Easy for teens, guys and girls.

Ghost costumes

How to Make a Ghost Costume Out of a Fitted SheetHow to make a ghost costume out of a fitted sheet: use the elastic edge as a hood, cut eye holes in the right spot and trim the hem. No sewing needed.
How to Make a Ghost Costume With a PillowcaseHow to make a ghost costume with a pillowcase in 20 minutes: safe cutting, faces without paint, sizing for small kids and dogs, plus a no-sew adult version.
How to Make a Ghost Costume Without a Sheet: 7 WaysHow to make a ghost costume without a sheet: 7 easy methods using white clothes, tulle, a pillowcase, a curtain or cheesecloth, each with a no-sew option.
How to See Out of a Ghost Costume (and Not Trip)How to see out of a ghost costume: where to cut eye holes, the sheer panel trick, a cap that stops the sheet sliding, and the hem length that stops trips.
What to Wear Under a Ghost Costume to Stay WarmWhat to wear under a ghost costume, by weather: light layers for mild nights, hidden warm layers for cold ones, the right shoes, pockets and a rain plan.

Teen and school costumes

Halloween Costume Ideas for Teens 2 People Can Share: 15 Duos15 Halloween costume ideas for teens 2 people can pull off from their own closets: vampire and werewolf, angel and devil, witch and black cat, and more.
15 Halloween Costume Ideas for Teens Trio Groups Can Pull Off15 Halloween costume ideas for teens trio groups: spooky, cute and funny sets of three built from your closets, plus what to do when a fourth friend joins.
Halloween Costumes for 5 People Teens Will Actually WearHalloween costumes for 5 people teens will actually wear: spooky, cute and funny group-of-five themes, cheap closet builds and a fair way to split the roles.
Halloween Costumes for School Appropriate Dress Codes: 20 Ideas20 Halloween costumes for school appropriate dress codes: no masks, no realistic props, easy to sit in class. Spooky, cute and funny ideas for teens.
Halloween Costumes for School Office Staff: 14 Easy Ideas14 Halloween costumes for school office staff that are kid-safe, cardigan-friendly and easy to work in all day, plus office team themes for the front desk.