Last-Minute Horror Costumes From Stuff You Already Own
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It is the last stretch before Halloween and you have no costume. Skip the shipping gamble. Each costume below starts with things in a normal closet or kitchen, tells you what to buy only if you want to, and walks you through the build step by step. Tap a costume to see the full guide.
Headless Horseman20 min · Easiest to pull off
Zombie30 min · Best for old clothes
Plague Doctor40 min · Most striking silhouette
Cracked Porcelain Doll30 min · Best makeup look
Victorian Ghost15 min · Fastest costume
Scarecrow25 min · Most budget-friendlyAt a glance
| Costume | You probably own | Buy only if you want it | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Headless horseman | Oversized dark coat, dark pants, a pumpkin or a round lightweight prop | A foam pumpkin | 20 min |
| Zombie | Old clothes you can ruin, eyeliner or dark eyeshadow | Fake blood, a gray face paint | 30 min |
| Plague doctor | Long dark coat, black hat, gloves, cardboard and tape for a beak | A ready-made beak mask | 40 min |
| Cracked porcelain doll | A pale dress or nightgown, white or light foundation, eyeliner | Red lipstick, a hair bow | 30 min |
| Victorian ghost | A white sheet or old curtain, scissors | Gray face paint | 15 min |
| Scarecrow | Flannel shirt, jeans, a hat, brown paper strips | A straw hat | 25 min |
If you need something to buy
Amazon links; check the product page against the notes before you order.
- Gray face paint (look for skin-safe, not craft paint)
- White face paint (look for skin-safe face paint)
- Fake blood (skin-safe and washable)
- Foam pumpkin (lightweight; check the size on the listing)
- Black tulle (sheer enough to see through)
Seated and wheelchair notes
Every costume guide has a section on wearing it seated. The notes come from how each costume is built (what rests on your lap, what hangs near wheels and casters, where the weight sits), so adjust them to your own chair and how you move.
Safety notes
- Test face paint and blood on a small patch of skin first.
- Do not wear masks or covers that limit your breathing or your view.
- Keep fabric and props clear of wheels, casters, and brakes.
- Keep fabric, paper and straw away from real flames. Use LED candles.