Julie Finn
Don’t let the kids have all the fun this Halloween! There are so many homemade Halloween costumes that are perfect for adults, whether you’re more into low-key, understated looks or super elaborate cosplay creations or costumes that you can make simply by embellishing something that you already own.
Whatever your style, check out some of my favorite homemade Halloween costumes for adults for the tutorial that speaks to you, and then go make yourself into something epic!
1. Claw Machine
Any costume that you can make almost entirely out of cardboard boxes is a win to me!
2. Deer
My favorite part of this costume is the tree branch antlers. It can be really hard to incorporate natural materials into a homemade costume, so this is a big achievement!
3. Disney Princess
Elsa, Ariel, and Belle are all within your reach with this tutorial! If you need a little more hair to pull off your princess look, here’s a good way to go about it using yarn.
4. Enderman
An Enderman is a terrific costume for an adult! Either you’ll impress all the kids with your Minecraft knowledge, or, since you’re adult-sized, you’ll make them think that you’re a real Enderman and scare the snot out of them. If you need a foe, outfit someone you love with this DIY scrap wood Minecraft sword, and then go chase them!
5. Flapper
Starting with a simple black dress, add all the embellishments that you need to turn yourself into someone that Gatsby, himself, would be super into!
6. Fortune Teller
Here’s another costume made almost entirely from cardboard boxes!
7. Gnome
This costume couldn’t be easier. Simply make yourself this felt gnome hat, and then wear whatever outfit you already own that looks the most Nordic.
8. House Plant
The house plant costume is going to borrow your laundry basket, but will give it back in perfect condition!
9. Jigglypuff
Costumes that require simply embellishing clothes that you already own are my favorite costumes! If you need a matching costume, here’s how to DIY Ash Ketchum.
10. LEGO
I love that this costume is dead simple to scale up or down in size, but I HATE that it uses red Solo cups for the LEGO’s pegs. I can’t think of what a perfect substitute would be, though!
Your best bet is to find something similar to upcycle (know anyone addicted to Ramen cups who’d rinse them out and save them for you?) or to make every circle by hand out of more cardboard–sucky if you’re making family costumes, but doable for one person’s costume, I think.
11. M&M
Assuming that you’ve got a plain T-shirt (pro tip: you can turn a graphic T-shirt inside out!), you’re one applique away from being delicious!
12. Llama
Because you’ve always wanted to ride a llama, haven’t you?
13. Maleficent
You’ll find a score of tutorials here that cover several versions of DIY horns, makeup, and the dress.
14. Medusa
Got a kid’s old toy snakes to upcycle? If so, you can be Medusa! Here’s how to give yourself an upcycled snake headpiece.
15. Minnie Mouse
This tutorial shows you how to add just a few embellishments to clothes that you already own (as long as you own a red skirt or pair of pants…) to make yourself into Minnie Mouse.
16. Mermaid
Want to be a magical mermaid for Halloween? Here’s how to do mermaid makeup–if you don’t have fishnet tights, I really think that those net produce bags would also work. Then, add a mermaid skirt, sizing up the panels to reflect your own waist and hip dimensions.
17. Paper Doll
This costume idea is so brilliant! To make the costume eco-friendly, use large-format cardboard instead of foam board. Ask around your friends list to see if anyone’s expecting the delivery of a large furniture item, or check your local recycling center, where sometimes they’ll have a section where they keep terrific pieces of cardboard for a while in case anyone wants it.
18. Peter Pan
If you’ve got a green shirt and shorts that you don’t mind cutting into, this costume is an easy build.
19. Pinata
Here’s what you do with all of your leftover crepe paper!
20. Rosie the Riveter
This YouTube video walks you through the costume, hair, and makeup that will turn YOU into Rosie the Riveter!
21. Royalty
The crown in this tutorial is made from a cereal box!
22. Rubik’s Cube
Any costume that’s made from a box is generally a versatile DIY that can be made for a kid through an adult. If you don’t want to look too accessible, you can also turn yourself into an unsolved Rubik’s cube!
23. Sushi
The only thing that you really need to DIY this costume is a pillowcase that resembles salmon.
24. Wolf
Sometimes you just need one costume element. If that’s the case, why not make yourself a wolf tail?
Do you have a favorite homemade Halloween costume that YOU love to wear? If so, tell me about it in the comments below!
