1. Stranger Things Characters
The hit Netflix series Stranger Things continues to be a popular source of Halloween costume inspiration. For an easy DIY Eleven costume, wear a pink dress, blue jacket, and blonde wig. Add some fake blood under your nose for the full effect. Other options include:
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Dustin: Curly wig, trucker hat, and graphic t-shirt
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Steve: 80s style wig, Scoops Ahoy uniform
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Robin: Scoops Ahoy uniform, short brown wig
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Joyce: Messy hair, flannel shirt, Christmas lights
The great thing about Stranger Things costumes is that most can be created with items you may already have or can easily find at thrift stores. Just focus on capturing the 80s vibe and distinctive looks of the characters.
2. Barbie and Ken
With the massive success of the Barbie movie in 2023, Barbie and Ken costumes are sure to be hugely popular for Halloween 2024. For a DIY Barbie look:
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Wear an all-pink outfit - dress, skirt and top, or pantsuit
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Add some sparkly accessories like a tiara or jewelry
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Style your hair in big, bouncy curls
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Apply bright pink lipstick and dramatic eye makeup
For Ken:
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Wear a preppy outfit in bright colors
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Style your hair in a perfectly coiffed blonde look
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Add accessories like sunglasses and a ascot or neckerchief
You can customize your Barbie or Ken look based on specific movie characters or go for a more general doll-inspired aesthetic. The key is embracing the over-the-top, plastic fantastic vibe.
3. Wednesday Addams
The Netflix series Wednesday has made this classic character more popular than ever. To DIY a Wednesday Addams costume:
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Wear a black collared dress or black shirt and skirt
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Add white collar and cuffs
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Style your hair in two braided pigtails
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Apply pale makeup and dark lipstick
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Accessorize with black tights and shoes
This is an easy costume to put together with items you likely already own. Just focus on capturing Wednesday's signature goth schoolgirl look and deadpan expression.
4. Superhero
Superheroes are always a popular Halloween choice. For an easy DIY superhero costume:
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Wear a solid colored t-shirt and pants/leggings
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Add a cape made from fabric or a sheet
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Make a mask from felt or foam
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Add accessories like wrist cuffs, a belt, or boots
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Create a logo for your chest using fabric paint or felt
You can customize this to be any superhero you want, whether an existing character or one you invent. The key elements are the cape, mask, and bold color scheme.
5. Zombie
A classic Halloween look that's easy to DIY is a zombie. To create a zombie costume:
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Distress and dirty up old clothes
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Apply pale makeup and dark circles under eyes
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Add fake blood and wounds using makeup or prosthetics
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Style your hair to look messy and unkempt
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Walk with a shambling gait
You can customize your zombie look based on a specific character (zombie bride, zombie doctor, etc.) or go for a more generic undead aesthetic. The key is looking disheveled and ghoulish.
6. Scarecrow
A scarecrow is a fun and festive Halloween costume that's easy to DIY. To create a scarecrow look:
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Wear overalls or jeans and a plaid shirt
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Add patches of fabric or burlap
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Stuff straw or raffia into your sleeves and pant legs
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Apply face paint to create a stitched mouth and nose
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Wear a floppy hat
This costume works great for both men and women and can be customized based on the specific style of scarecrow you want to portray. It's also a good option for cooler Halloween weather.
7. Decade-Specific Look
Dressing up as someone from a specific decade is always a fun and easy costume idea. Some options include:
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1950s: Poodle skirt or greaser look
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1960s: Hippie or mod style
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1970s: Disco outfit
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1980s: Neon colors and big hair
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1990s: Grunge or pop star look
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2000s: Low-rise jeans and crop tops
The key is capturing the distinctive fashion and pop culture elements of your chosen decade. Many of these looks can be created with items from your closet or thrift stores.
8. Group Costume: Emojis
For a fun group costume idea, consider going as a set of emojis. Some easy DIY emoji costume ideas include:
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Heart eyes: Wear all red and make large heart-shaped eyes
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Crying laughing: Wear all yellow and add large teardrop and smile
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Poop: Wear all brown in a swirled shape
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Ghost: Wear all white with large black oval eyes
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Avocado: Wear green with a brown circle on your belly
You can customize this idea to include any emojis you like. The key is capturing the simple, iconic designs in an oversized wearable form.
9. Bob Ross
The beloved TV painter Bob Ross makes for a fun and recognizable costume. To create a DIY Bob Ross look:
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Wear a blue button-down shirt
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Add a curly wig or style your hair into a permed afro
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Carry a painter's palette and brush
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Draw on a beard if needed
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Speak in soothing tones about "happy little trees"
This costume works well for both men and women and is sure to be a hit with fans of the iconic painter.
10. Tourist
A tourist costume is an easy and funny option that can be created with items you likely already own. To DIY a tourist look:
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Wear a loud Hawaiian shirt or other tacky print
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Add khaki shorts and sandals with socks
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Accessorize with a fanny pack, sunglasses, and sun hat
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Carry a camera and map
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Apply sunscreen to your nose
You can customize this look based on stereotypical tourist styles from different eras or locations. The key is embracing the over-the-top, clueless traveler vibe.
11. Social Media App
For a topical and creative costume idea, consider dressing up as a popular social media app. Some options include:
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Instagram: Create a cardboard frame to look like an Instagram post
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TikTok: Wear all black and create a logo to wear on your chest
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Twitter/X: Dress in all blue or black and add the bird or X logo
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Facebook: Wear all blue and create a profile picture frame to hold
These costumes allow for a lot of creativity and can be customized based on specific features or trends associated with each app.
When creating DIY Halloween costumes, the key is to focus on capturing the essence of your chosen character or concept rather than trying to perfectly recreate every detail. Use items you already own when possible and get creative with materials like cardboard, felt, and face paint to add distinctive elements. Remember, the most important thing is to have fun and express your creativity through your costume choice. Happy Halloween!
