21 Halloween Costume Ideas That’ll Win You a Prize at Any Party

Starbucks Cup Costume

Raise your hand if you spend way too much money at Starbucks each month. (We’ve got both hands raised!) What better way to playfully recognize your caffeine addiction than with this adorable peppermint mocha outfit. If you’re into DIY costumes, like this one shared by Instagram user @rminteriordesign, but also a bona fide cold brew junkie, this creation may just cost you less than your weekly java bill. And we certainly won't blame you if you have to visit a Starbucks after trick-or-treating with the kids — it is way past your bedtime after all! 

Velma From Scooby-Doo Costume

Velma was always the brains of the Scooby-Doo bunch, so why not do a smart take on her signature outfit for Halloween this year? Halloween costume ideas like this one, shared by Instagram user @bodypainted_cosplay, prove that classic characters are classic for a reason. After all, iconic cartoons like Scooby-Doo bring back memories for so many folks who are feeling nostalgic this time of year, and they may even help create new memories for youngsters discovering the show for the first time. That’s why paying homage to one of the key female characters in the hit series would be one of the best Halloween costume ideas by far.

Pretty Zombie Costume

Who knew a zombie could look so pretty? It’s certainly hard to run out of Halloween costume ideas when there are so many creative getups like this one. Shared by Instagram user @toxictinacreations, this Halloween makeup proves that basically any look is possible if you have the right colors on hand — including bright pink, purple, and blue, in this case. Obviously, a costume like this one is not for the faint of heart, but if you’re feeling bold this year, there’s never been a better time to unleash your festive holiday spirit. Plus, it never hurts to keep in mind that scary costume for women can be absolutely beautiful, too. This is proof!

I Love Lucy Costume

When you think of classic costumes, it’s hard not to remember the character Lucy Ricardo from I Love Lucy. This fantastic recreation, shared by Instagram user @missy_lp, shows that it can truly be a great joy to bring a beloved character to life in your own kitchen. With the right wig, a smart polka-dot dress, and some truly convincing makeup, this look could potentially be one of the best Halloween costume ideas in your whole neighborhood. Just wait until you open the door for trick-or-treaters with their parents in tow — you’ll be sure to get loads of smiles all through the night.

Halloween Costume Ideas for Women: Scarecrow

When it comes to easy costumes, the best inspiration is what’s around you. Is there anything more quintessentially fall than a classic scarecrow? We can’t think of anything — which is why it’s one of our favorite DIYs. The best part is you don’t need to push through a crowd at the store to make this last-minute Halloween costume. This chic scarecrow outfit shared by Instagram user @allglamnofilter is proof that you can win any last-minute Halloween contest while still looking like you spent a lot of time and effort on your themed getup. 

Bathtub and Rubber Duckie Costume

This adorable bathtub and rubber duckie costume has us quacking up — seriously! If you’ve been searching for an adorable idea, you may have just found the one. Plus, this oversized costume is perfect for fighting through the crowds in your neighborhood this Halloween. As soon as the sun sets, families descend on the free candy, which can make it seriously difficult to keep track of your little ones in the mass of people in masks. Fortunately, people will give you a wide berth if you opt for this funny Halloween costume, shared by Instagram user @persiaxoxox.

Windup Doll Costume

Finding cool ideas for women that aren’t too risque can feel impossible, which is why we recommend going the DIY route. Opting for something special — like this one-of-a-kind windup doll costume shared by Instagram user @nailizz — will help you stand out this Halloween. Trust us, you'll be the most realistic looking living doll come October 31. And when you get tired after walking around the block a few times with the kiddos, you can play along and wind yourself up with a few twists of your key (and a shot of strong espresso!). 

Disgust From Inside Out Costume

Another way to discover the best costumes is by watching movies. What better movies to watch this season anything from Pixar? If you’ve ever seen the 2015 film Inside Out, you may remember the hilarious cast of emotions. This creative costume, shared by Instagram user @hannahsl0an, is the perfect way to show everyone you're so over the stress of Halloween, its messes, and the constant temptation of sweets even though you're supposed to be dieting. And because there are so many to choose from, we highly recommend adding this to your list of Halloween costume ideas for family members who haven’t made up their minds yet.

Family Halloween Costume: The Incredibles 

Remember when The Incredibles 2 came out? We can’t think of a better superhero family to recreate for Halloween. Of all the family costumes out there, this just might be one of the most-talked-about getups of 2018 — so wouldn’t it be awesome to make an adorable addition to that fun conversation? Shared by Instagram user @that.healthy.blonde, this photo proves that family Halloween costume ideas like this one would be fantastic any year. Why not make this the year to try it out with your own family members and see for yourself?

Uh-oh, it looks like someone’s been misbehaving on Halloween, and it doesn’t seem like it’s the kiddos! In all sincerity, we love it when fun group ideas get a family-friendly twist — and that’s exactly the case with this cute “prisoners and cops” photo. From the bleak striped jumpsuits to the tiny police badges, it’s obvious that the only thing “arresting” about this picture is how adorable it is. Shared by Instagram user @sara_faraz_mcneely, this photo proves that family costumes that poke a bit of good-natured fun at the parents can be a whole lot cuter than you’d expect.

If you’re looking for group costumes that’ll make the whole neighborhood smile, look no further than these adorable fast food getups. From the hilarious depiction of Coke and French fries to the sweetest ketchup and mustard bottles we’ve ever seen, it’s clear that the whole family was in on the fun. Even the furriest family member — aka the cute pup — made an appearance in this photo, shared by Instagram user @theavaandlyvielife. And how appropriate is it that the family’s four-legged friend is an actual hot dog for the holiday? One thing’s for sure: This is one fast food order that comes with an extra side of adorable.

S'Mores Halloween Costume

If you’ve ever eaten s’mores before, you know one thing is true: They stick together, just like families. So it’s only fitting that one of the cutest family costumes would be a s’mores getup. This sweet family photo, shared by Instagram user @elsauvageau, is pretty much all the proof you need: Just look at how well they all go together as a group! We love that the little marshmallows are wearing such adorable outfits — how stylish! As if that wasn’t cute enough, the Hershey’s costume is also a perfect fit. And of course, the two parents as graham characters are just about the sweetest way to seal the deal.

Monsters Inc. Family Costume

Who doesn’t love Sully and Mike from Monsters Inc.? We love how this couple brought the lovable Pixar characters to life in this Halloween photo, shared by Instagram user @taylercooley. But as we all know, the scary-funny duo would never be able to go on as many great adventures without their tiny friend Boo. Doesn’t the little girl look absolutely adorable dressed up as the sweet character? Cute ideas like this one show the many clever ways that families can enjoy the holiday together while trick-or-treating. And if you manage to celebrate your favorite cartoon characters together, all the better!

Roz From Monsters Inc. Costume

Sorting through the hundreds of funny costume ideas to find the real gems can take up your precious time. So, we’ve saved you the struggle of picking the perfect one by directing you to this genius Monsters Inc. costume, created by Instagram user @kelseycherrypie. Of all the Halloween costume ideas for work out there, this is definitely one of our favorites, because Roz was such an under-appreciated movie villain. Now, you just need to work on perfecting your version of Roz’s famous line: “I’m watching you Wazowski. Always watching.” 

Flo From Progressive Costume

Coming up short on a last-minute idea? If you’ve got an old white polo and apron lying around the house, you can transform yourself into Flo, the instantly recognizable spokeswoman for Progressive. Usually, we can't stand sitting through commercials, and we'll instantly switch to another channel. But with Flo, we can't help watching her hilarious antics in all the Progressive ads on TV. We’ve got to say, this Flo costume shared by Instagram user @hopiechan is pretty spot-on!

Joanna the Banana Costume

Parents everywhere are familiar with the Christmas tradition of The Elf on the Shelf, so we’re starting a petition to kick-off the Halloween tradition of Joanna the Banana! Instead of having to deal with the hassle of imagining new places and creative ways to hide and pose your elf, stick with this adorable and funny banana costume, which you only have to work with once a year. Sometimes the funniest ideas, like the one shared by Instagram user @xosha83, are the simplest ones. 

Glamour Shot Costume

Allie DeMartino shared this last-minute costume on her Instagram page with the simple message, “lol I’m a glamour shot.” Who can forget those oh-so-cheesy styles we wore proudly for photo shoots back in the 1980s and early '90s? She told us, “I like thrifting, so I happened to already have a classic prom-style dress (lace, sequins, big sleeves).” From there, DeMartino used her own makeup and teased her hair for the perfect '80s look. The background was found on a Google image search, blown up and printed at Staples, and glued to cardboard. The whole thing ended up costing less than $5!

DIY Cactus Costume

Taylor, a middle school English teacher, told us that she created this costume with a budget in mind. The bulk of the cost went to the green sweater she found at TJ Maxx. Then, she went next door to Michaels, where she bought the white pipe cleaners and fake flower. She says she spent the night hot-gluing away and couldn’t have been happier with the totally cute result! Taylor estimates the whole outfit only cost her about $17. (Check Got Stuck in the Middle on Instagram for more of Taylor’s creative adventures as a teacher!)

DIY Strawberry Costume

There are so many ways to pull off this precious strawberry costume without spending much money. Camille Dion-Morissette, a travel agent and blogger, shared the delightful idea on her Instagram page. She used yellow duct tape and felt to create the leaves and seeds she attached to her red dress. You could easily create them both with just cheap construction paper, depending on how you want it to look. The addition of freckles on her face definitely seals the deal!

Mime Costume

All you need is a plastic headband, black felt, black glitter, and a gold iron-on to whip up this adorable top hat. You can use fabric starch or stiffener to make sure it holds up all night regardless of how much time you spend dancing at your Halloween shindig. Lia Griffith shared on Instagram how she used it to top off her striped shirt and makeup for a mime costume, but it’s perfect for other outfits, too. (Check out more of Lia’s awesome crafts over on her blog!)

DIY Popcorn Costume

Erica from the blog hippE shared this costume on her Instagram page. The white T-shirt only cost 99 cents, then she cut the collar and cropped it for a better fit. The popcorn was made out of simple computer paper. Erica told WomansWorld.com: “To make each little popcorn, I crumpled one half piece of paper. After that, I laid out all my popcorn pieces and spraypainted them with yellow paint.” She glued the pieces to her shirt close together so they would overlap, then added white duct tape to a pair of red trousers she found for $4. (Check out more of Erica’s awesome crafts over on hippE!)