Costumes That Start With A: 40 Easy Ideas
The easiest costumes that start with A are angel, astronaut, alien, artist, athlete, avocado and army soldier, because most of them come straight out of a normal closet with one extra prop. Below are 40 ideas sorted by effort, humor and group size, so you can pick one tonight and still make the pregame.
If your real problem is "I've got the letter, now what do I actually wear?", The Costume Rack turns a costume idea into a list of pieces, with a version made from what you already own. Start my costume
How letter parties work
An alphabet party (also called a letter party, an A-to-Z party or "fancy dress beginning with a" in UK uni speak) is simple: the host picks a letter, and everyone dresses as something starting with it. Sometimes it's your first-name initial. Sometimes it's a random letter for the whole flat.
The unwritten rules:
- It has to be obvious. If you have to explain it for 30 seconds, it's not working.
- Creativity beats cost. People remember the "Anxiety" costume made from a paper sign more than a bought astronaut suit.
- Puns are legal. A rubber band around your wrist and a sign saying "A band" is an A costume. Groans are a feature.
- Don't clash. At a big letter party, three people going as "angel" is very common. Claim yours early in the group chat.
A is honestly one of the easiest letters. Lots of options, lots of closet builds.
Easy A costumes from your closet
These costume ideas that start with A need nothing you'd have to buy.
Angel
All white or cream clothes, a halo made from a gold headband or tinsel wrapped on a hair band, wings from cardboard or white paper. No-makeup version: just a little shimmer, or nothing.
Athlete
Any sports kit you already own. Jersey, shorts over leggings, a headband, trainers. Add a medal (cardboard and foil) and you're an Olympic athlete.
Artist
Black top or a striped shirt, a beret (or any beanie pushed back), paint splatters on an old apron, a paintbrush behind your ear. Very easy, very cute.
Army soldier
Khaki or green clothes, boots, a cap. Keep it respectful: no fake weapons at school or work.
Astronaut
White or grey hoodie and joggers, a NASA-style patch drawn on paper, and a "helmet" made from a fishbowl or a big white hat. The patch alone does a lot.
Aerobics instructor (80s)
Bright leggings, a leotard or crop top over them, a sweatband, leg warmers or long socks. Pure fun, zero cost if you have gym clothes.
Air hostess or airline pilot
White shirt, dark skirt or trousers, a neck scarf or tie, and a paper name badge with a made-up airline. Carry a small rolling suitcase if you have one.
More closet A ideas
- Archer: green top, a bow drawn on card, a paper quiver of arrows
- Accountant: a shirt, glasses, a calculator on a lanyard
- Alice (in Wonderland): blue top or dress, white apron, black headband
- Aviator: leather or bomber jacket, sunglasses, a white scarf
- Architect: hi-vis vest, hard hat or a rolled-up "blueprint" (blue paper)
- Avatar of your own brand: a tee with your own face printed or taped on (chaos, but it counts)
Funny A costumes
Funny costumes that start with A are where letter parties get good.
- Avocado: green top, a brown paper circle stuck to your stomach as the pit. Duo it with a friend dressed as toast.
- Anxiety: normal clothes, a sign saying "anxiety," and you keep checking your phone and asking if anyone's mad at you.
- Adulting: tax forms sticking out of your pockets, a mug that says "tired," a to-do list taped to your back.
- Angry Bird (generic bird): red hoodie, big paper eyebrows. Keep it generic.
- Apple: red or green top, a paper leaf on a headband. Or go as "Apple Store employee" in a blue tee with a lanyard.
- Airplane mode: a paper plane taped to your shirt and you ignore everyone all night.
- Alarm clock: a paper clock face on your chest, and you shout "WAKE UP" at intervals. Iconic, annoying.
- Awkward: a name tag that says "Hi, I'm Awkward." Stand in a corner. Nailed it.
- Aunt (the fun one): big sunglasses, a tote bag, a wine glass (or juice), strong opinions.
Group and duo A ideas
Couple costumes that start with A
| Duo | Person 1 | Person 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Angel and... | Angel (white, halo) | Assassin (all black, hood) |
| Avocado and toast | Green top, pit circle | Beige top, "toast" sign |
| Adam and Eve | Paper leaves on a neutral outfit | Same, with a paper apple |
| Astronaut and alien | White outfit, patch | Green top, antenna headband |
| Artist and art | Beret and apron | A frame made of card around your face |
Angel is a classic opposite pair. If you're stuck on a duo, we list more clash-on-purpose combos in opposite costume ideas.
Group costumes that start with A
- Aliens: everyone in green or silver, antenna headbands, one person as the "abductee" in pajamas.
- Army: a whole squad in khaki and caps.
- Angels: a group in white with halos, one in black as the "fallen angel."
- Athletes: each person picks a different sport.
- Animals: everyone picks a different animal. Technically an A group costume. Technically.
The hard bit at a big letter party isn't thinking of ideas, it's making sure five people don't all pick angel. With The Costume Rack you send your group one link, everyone claims a costume on your rail, and you can all see what's already taken. Start my costume
A costumes with one prop
If it's 8pm and the party's at 9, these are your last minute costumes that start with A. One prop, normal clothes.
- Arrow through the head: a headband with half an arrow on each side (cardboard). Classic.
- Apple: hold an apple. Say you're "an apple a day." Keeps the doctor away.
- Award winner: a paper "Best Actor" award in your hand, whatever outfit you're in.
- Ace (of spades): a playing card taped to your chest.
- Alien: antennae made from pipe cleaners on a headband.
- Anchor: paper anchor on a navy top.
- Angel: just the halo. Seriously, it works.
- Autograph hunter: a notepad and pen, asking everyone to sign.
- Alarm: a phone playing an alarm sound. Chaotic, technically correct.
- Accessory: you're dripping in every bracelet and necklace you own. "I'm an accessory." Groan.
Letter party next week too? Check costumes that start with C and costumes that start with S for more closet-first lists.
Your A costume, sorted before the party
If angel or another classic A pick is the plan, The Costume Rack builds it piece by piece: where to find each piece, a version from your own closet, three put-together steps and a no-makeup version. You can have your costume matched and your friends invited to claim theirs on one rail in about two minutes, so your costumes that start with A don't all end up the same.
FAQ
What are easy costumes that start with A?
Angel, athlete, artist, astronaut and alien are the easiest costumes that start with A. Each one uses clothes you probably own plus one cheap prop like a halo, medal, beret or antenna headband.
What is a funny costume that starts with A?
Avocado, anxiety, adulting, airplane mode and an arrow through the head are all funny A costumes. Puns land well at letter parties, so a sign plus a committed performance goes a long way.
What fancy dress begins with A for guys?
Astronaut, army soldier, athlete, aviator, archer and alien all work well for guys. They're easy to build from hoodies, jackets and sportswear.
What are good couple costumes that start with A?
Angel and assassin, avocado and toast, astronaut and alien, and artist and art (a card frame around your face) are strong couple costumes that start with A.
How does an alphabet party work?
The host picks a letter (or everyone uses their first initial) and guests dress as anything starting with that letter. The best costumes are recognizable in two seconds and often involve a pun.