Because Scaring People Shouldn’t Frighten Your Wallet
Halloween comes around the same time every year, but it never fails to catch us off guard. One day it’s late September, the next it’s the end of October, and you’re pretending that an old flannel and eyeliner smudges count as a costume. But here’s the thing—with a pinch of creativity and the willingness to look at your closet like a prop department, you can make an impression at your next Halloween party. There’s something rebellious about pulling together a costume from scraps and still managing to steal the show. Here are twenty budget Halloween costume ideas you can throw together for under $5.
1. The Classic Ghost
A bedsheet. Scissors. That’s it. It’s been done a million times, sure, but add sunglasses or a tiny twist, and suddenly you’ve reinvented this go-to classic. With a dollar thrift store sheet, you’ve got infinite variations at your disposal.
2. Mummy, But Make It Lazy
A roll of toilet paper or white crepe streamers is all you need to look like you’ve just been unearthed from an Egyptian sarcophagus. Wrap yourself loosely, and boom, you’re undead and ready to party. Someone will inevitably step on a loose end, and you’ll both laugh, and that’s the spirit of Halloween right there.
3. Tourist Who Took a Wrong Turn
All you need to pull this look off is a Hawaiian shirt and some socks with sandals. Include a floppy hat that’s seen better days to complete the outfit. This one works best if you keep asking people for directions to various landmarks. The joke will get old in a hurry, but that’s part of the charm of playing this character.
4. Static-Cling Disaster
Grab some mismatched socks, a dryer sheet, and a few random items of clothing, and simply pin them to yourself. When people ask what in the world you’re supposed to be, answer, “I’m static cling.” This outfit costs literally nothing and gets laughs every time.
5. Cereal Killer
Buy some of those tiny cereal boxes (the kind that come in variety packs) and some plastic knives from the dollar store. Tape them to a shirt, add a splash of fake blood, and you’ve got a winning pun that’s not only affordable but darkly hilarious.
6. Vine Star Circa 2014
Print a Vine logo and pin it to your shirt. To complete the gag, carry a phone and walk around saying things like, “It’s an avocado! Thanks!” or “Road work ahead? Uh, yeah, I sure hope it does.” Anyone over twenty-five will be delighted. The Luddites among your friend group will stare blankly, which makes it even funnier.
7. Ceiling Fan
This costume consists of a T-shirt, a marker, and a bad pun. Write “Go Ceilings!” across your chest, grab some pom-poms, and you’re officially a ceiling fan. It’s dumb, but gloriously so. It’s the kind of silliness that’s meta enough to earn you respect from amused strangers.
8. Error 404: Costume Not Found
Take a white T-shirt and a black marker. Write “Error 404: Costume Not Found.” Done. It’s tech humor meets pure laziness. This one works especially well if you’re at a work party and don’t feel like going above and beyond.
9. Bubble Bath
Another avant-garde piece, this costume involves taking some white balloons, safety-pinned to a shirt, and a shower cap. Maybe a rubber duck if you’re committed to the bit. This costume is slightly impractical for sitting down, but that’s part of the charm.
10. The Seven C’s
All you need for this one is seven letters C’s that you tape or safety-pin to your shirt. Presto chango! You’re now the seven bodies of water that make up the Earth’s oceans. The only thing is, be sure the C’s are tightly attached, because the bit loses all meaning if you happen to lose one on the dance floor.
11. Fridge Leftovers
For this, all you need to do is stick random food labels or foil pieces on yourself. Tell people you’re “whatever’s left in the fridge.” It’s cheap, chaotic, and somewhat accurate.
12. Fortune Teller
To pull this off, find yourself an oversized scarf, some plastic jewelry, and carry yourself with an air of mystery. Bonus points if you can throw your head back and give a convincing diabolical laugh. If you don’t happen to have a crystal ball lying around (who does?), a snow globe will work in a pinch and is funnier anyway.
13. Budget Bob Ross
Scour your closet for a blue button-up, then turn to Amazon for a cheap curly wig. All you need to complete the outfit is a fake palette made of cardboard with some blobs of color. Call everyone “friend” and talk about happy little accidents, and you’ll be unmistakable.
Carter McKendry from New York, NY, United States on Wikimedia
14. Thrift Store Vampire
Vampires aren’t complicated. All you need is a dollar-store cape, some dark lipstick, and a faintly Eastern European accent. Add some baby powder to your face for that undead pallor and carry a wine glass filled with red juice. It’s cheap, effective, and frankly, kind of classy.
15. Conspiracy Theorist
This costume is about as easy as they come. Just wear your normal clothes but add a colander or some tinfoil on your head. If you want to up the ante, hand people random Post-it notes that say things like, “Birds = Robots” or “The Moon is Leased, Not Owned.”
16. Couch Potato
All you need is some brown pants and a brown shirt for this one. Sit down a lot or bring a prop like a bag of chips or a remote. That’s the whole bit, and it works beautifully.
17. Cloud With a Silver Lining
Walk around with some pillow stuffing or cotton pinned to your shirt, with a strip of silver paper or foil as your lining. Walk around looking vaguely dramatic like the weather itself. The punchline will definitely elicit some groans, but we guarantee they’ll always finish off with a smile.
18. Smarty Pants
Tape or glue Smarties candies all over a pair of pants and you’re done. Strut around like you’re the smartest person at the party, dropping factoids and nerdy puns to drive the point home.
19. DIY Superhero
Use an old towel for a cape, some underpants over leggings, and an ironic name that makes your purpose clear: “The Incredible Budgetman” or “Captain Thrift.” Superheroes are basically just confident people in weird clothes anyway.
20. Breadwinner
Carry a loaf of bread and pin a small medal or award ribbon to your chest. When people ask what the bread is for, that’s your opportunity to deliver the winning line, “I’m the…” This costume can also double as a prop for bad dad jokes: “I really kneaded this win.”
