Costumes That Start With B: 40 Easy Ideas

7 min read · The Costume Rack

The easiest costumes that start with B are bat, bee, banana, burglar, ballerina, baker, boxer and black cat. Each one needs just one or two signal pieces: bat wings, a striped top with antennae, a stripy shirt with a "SWAG" bag, or a tutu. Below are 40 B ideas sorted by how much effort they take, with a closet version for each.

If you drew B for a letter party and your real problem is "what can I actually make tonight from what I own," The Costume Rack matches you to a costume and gives every piece a version from your closet. Start my costume

Easy costumes that start with B

B is a gift of a letter. It has animals, food, jobs and spooky classics. Here's the quick-pick table first, then the full 40.

The full list, by effort

Zero effort (5 minutes, all closet):

1. Burglar: black and white stripes, beanie, a pillowcase "swag" bag.
2. Baker: apron, white tee, wooden spoon.
3. Black cat: all black, ears from a headband and card.
4. Beach bum: board shorts, sunglasses, flip-flops, towel.
5. Bookworm: cardigan, glasses, a stack of books, a sock-puppet worm.
6. Babysitter: a baby doll in a carrier and a tired face.
7. Basketball player: jersey or vest, shorts, high socks.
8. Baseball player: cap, tee, a glove if anyone has one.
9. Barista: apron, a name tag, a cup with a misspelled name on it.
10. Biker: leather or faux-leather jacket, jeans, boots.

Low effort (an evening, a few bits):

11. Bat.
12. Bee.
13. Bumblebee (the fluffier, rounder version).
14. Banana.
15. Ballerina.
16. Boxer.
17. Bride: white dress, a veil from net curtain.
18. Butterfly: wings from card, colored top.
19. Bunny: ears, white or grey outfit, cotton tail.
20. Bear: brown hoodie with ears.
21. Builder: hi-vis vest, hard hat, tape measure.
22. Butler: white shirt, black waistcoat, tea towel over the arm.
23. Bartender: black shirt, bow tie, cocktail shaker.
24. Bowler: polo shirt, a bowling ball (or a painted ball).
25. Beekeeper: white outfit, a hat with net, a fake bee on your shoulder.
26. Bodybuilder: tight tee stuffed with balloons for muscles.

Medium effort (a weekend craft):

27. Bowling pin: all white with two red bands of tape.
28. Birthday cake: layered skirt, candle headband.
29. Brain: pink hoodie with pink pool noodle squiggles.
30. Blueberry: all blue, a green leaf on your head.
31. Broccoli: green top, green balloons on a hat.
32. Bacon: a strip of red and pink felt from shoulder to knee.
33. Burrito: wrap yourself in a beige blanket, felt "fillings" at the top.
34. Bubble bath: white top with white balloons, a rubber duck.
35. Bin (trash can, US): grey top, a lid hat, paper "rubbish."

Spooky B (high impact):

36. Banshee: torn white dress, wild hair.
37. Bloody Mary-style ghost bride.
38. Bigfoot: brown faux fur everything.
39. Blob: one giant green pillowcase.
40. Bride of a monster: big tall hair, bolt stickers on the neck.

Costumes that start with B for girls

Costumes that start with B female-leaning picks (though honestly, anyone can wear anything):

• Ballerina. A tutu over leggings and a bun. Glam without trying.
• Bee. Cute, easy, and the antennae headband carries it.
• Butterfly. Big card wings and glitter on the cheeks.
• Black cat. The classic. Eyeliner whiskers or a no-makeup version with ears and a tail.
• Bride (spooky or not). A white dress you already own and a cheap veil.
• Beauty queen. Any dress, a ribbon sash, a paper crown.
• Barista. Wildly underrated, and very comfy.

Costumes that start with B for guys

Costumes that start with B male-leaning picks, still for anyone:

• Burglar. The king of last-minute fancy dress beginning with B.
• Boxer. Shorts, a dressing gown as your robe, tape on your hands.
• Builder. Hi-vis, hard hat, and you're done.
• Bodybuilder. Balloon muscles are always funny.
• Biker. Jacket, jeans, boots, sunglasses.
• Baseball or basketball player. Wear what you'd wear to the gym and add a ball.
• Bigfoot. For the guy who wants to commit fully.

Funny costumes that start with B

The B category is stacked with funny. Costumes that start with B funny enough to win the "best costume" vote:

• Banana. Bonus points with a friend as a gorilla, or a second banana ("bananas in pajamas" if you're both in PJs).
• Bacon. Pair it with an egg friend.
• Bin / trash can. Pure chaos, very cheap.
• Bubble bath. Balloons, a shower cap and a loofah.
• Burrito. The duvet costume. Comfy all night.
• Bodybuilder. Balloons under a tight tee, a sweatband, a protein shaker.
• Birthday cake. Especially funny if it's not your birthday.

Group and duo costumes that start with B

Group B costumes are where it gets fun, and where it falls apart if nobody coordinates. You end up with three bees and no beekeeper.

The Costume Rack puts your whole group on one rail. You share one link, friends claim their costumes, and everyone can see who's already the bat before they start cutting card. Start my costume

Couple costumes that start with B

• Bride and bridegroom, or a spooky ghost bride and her groom.
• Bee and beekeeper.
• Baker and birthday cake.
• Bacon and egg (well, B plus a friend who's game).
• Boxer and boxing referee.
• Batter and baseball.

Group costumes that start with B (3+)

• Breakfast bar: bacon, banana, blueberry, bagel.
• Bugs: bee, butterfly, beetle, bedbug.
• Ball sports: basketball, baseball, bowling, boxing (we'll allow it).
• Bakery: baker, bread, birthday cake, brownie.
• Spooky B: bat, banshee, Bigfoot, black cat.

Doing a whole alphabet party? Your friends on D and P can steal from costumes that start with D and costumes that start with P.

Last-minute B costumes from your closet

It's 7pm, pre-drinks are at 8. Here's what B costumes you can make right now:

1. Burglar. Any striped top (or a black top with white tape stripes), beanie, a pillowcase with "£££" or "$$$" drawn on.
2. Baker. Apron or a tea towel tucked in, flour on your nose, a whisk.
3. Black cat. Black clothes, headband with card ears, a tail from a black sock stuffed with tissue.
4. Beach bum. Literally your summer clothes in winter. Add a towel.
5. Bat. Black clothes and a black umbrella cut into wings (or card wings pinned to your sleeves).
6. Bookworm. Glasses, cardigan, a book you're "reading."

The bat and the black cat are both costumes The Costume Rack can match you to, with a no-makeup build if you'd rather skip face paint.

Which B costume is right for you?

• Want spooky? Bat or banshee.
• Want glam? Ballerina or beauty queen.
• Want funny? Banana or bin.
• Want cosy? Bear, burrito or bunny in a onesie.

Turn your B idea into a costume you can build tonight

Pick your vibe in The Costume Rack, tell it what's already in your closet and how you feel about face paint, and in about two minutes you get a costume split into pieces, each with where to find it and a version from things you own. Share the link and your group claims their own costumes on your rail.

Start my costume

FAQ

What are some easy costumes that start with B?

The easiest are burglar, baker, black cat, bat and beach bum. All of them come together from normal clothes in under ten minutes. Add one prop, like a swag bag or a rolling pin, so people get it instantly.

What are good costumes that start with B for a female?

Ballerina, bee, butterfly, black cat, bride and beauty queen are popular B picks. They range from cute to glam to spooky. Any of them can be built mostly from clothes you already own.

What is a funny fancy dress idea beginning with B?

Banana, bacon, bin, burrito and bubble bath are the funniest fancy dress ideas beginning with B. They're cheap and people laugh before you even say hello. Pair up for bonus points, like bacon with an egg.

What Halloween costumes start with B?

Bat, black cat, banshee, Bigfoot, blob and a ghost bride are the best Halloween costumes that start with B. Bat and black cat are the easiest, and both work without face paint.

What costumes start with "ba"?

Bat, banana, baker, ballerina, barista, bartender, baseball player, basketball player, babysitter, bacon and banshee all start with "ba." That's enough for a whole group.