Halloween has a way of sneaking up on us, and suddenly you’re scrambling to find a costume just days before the big night. With Americans expected to spend a record $13.5 billion on Halloween this year, it’s easy to get caught up in buying costumes, decorations, and accessories you’ll probably only use once.
But you don’t have to spend a fortune to put together a fun costume. In fact, you might already have everything you need at home.
Pawel Kruszynski, a shopping and discount expert at Promizi, shares five ways to pull together a last-minute Halloween costume using everyday items you probably already own.
Shop Your Own Closet First
Before heading to the store, take another look at the clothes you already have. That black dress you haven’t worn in years could become a Wednesday Addams costume with a few simple changes.
An old suit and sunglasses can turn you into a Men in Black agent, while a football jersey and some spooky makeup can make an easy zombie football player.
Instead of choosing a costume and buying everything to match it, start with something you already own and build your costume around that.
Related: 12 Clothing Items That Are Better Off Staying in Your Closet
Put Your Makeup Bag to Work
You probably don’t need an expensive Halloween makeup kit to create a convincing costume. Everyday makeup can do more than you might think.
Black eyeliner works for cat whiskers, spiderwebs, or stitched-up scars. Dark eyeshadow can help create a zombie look, while red lipstick can add the finishing touch to a vampire costume.
Before buying anything new, experiment with what you already have. Just make sure you use makeup that’s safe for the area you’re applying it to.
Related: Decluttering Your Closet Doesn’t Have to Be Hard With This Simple Trick
Turn Old Work Clothes Into a Costume
Still have an old uniform or work outfit tucked away somewhere? It might be exactly what you need for Halloween.
A pair of scrubs can become a zombie doctor costume, while an apron and wooden spoon can turn you into a spooky chef. Even a basic office suit can work with a little vampire makeup.
The trick is to take an ordinary outfit and give it a Halloween twist. Just avoid using official identification or workwear you aren’t permitted to repurpose.
Get Creative With Your Recycling Bin
Before taking out the recycling, see whether anything inside could work for a costume.
An empty cereal box can become a funny breakfast-themed outfit, while clean candy wrappers can be attached to an old T-shirt for a candy-inspired look.
You could even coordinate with friends and dress up as different snacks or grocery store products.
Just make sure anything you use is clean, has no sharp edges, and won’t make it hard to move around or see.
Make Your Own Costume Accessories
Sometimes you only need one or two accessories to finish a costume, and you probably already have the supplies to make them.
Black cardstock and elastic can become a superhero mask. A little felt can become cat ears, and pipe cleaners work well for alien antennae.
Even a plain T-shirt and some sticky labels can make a funny, last-minute costume.
Before spending money in the Halloween aisle, check your craft drawer, leftover party supplies, or even your kids’ art supplies.
You don’t need an elaborate costume to enjoy Halloween. Sometimes the funniest, most creative outfits come from what you already have at home. And if you can pull one together without spending a dime, even better.
