MomSkoop
Halloween doesn’t have to drain your wallet to make you look amazing. With a little creativity and some smart shopping, you can put together costumes that will have everyone asking where you spent all that money. The best part? These costume ideas prove that style and impressiveness have nothing to do with price tags, and everything to do with clever planning.
1. Classic Vampire
A timeless costume that never goes out of style, the vampire look can be achieved with items you probably already own. Grab your fanciest black clothes from the closet, whether it’s a dress shirt, pants, or even an old prom dress.
The magic happens with makeup. Dark eyeshadow, pale foundation, and some fake blood from the dollar store create that undead appearance everyone recognizes instantly. Add plastic fangs for just a couple of dollars.
A black or red cape takes this from basic to breathtaking, and you can make one from an old bedsheet or find one cheap at thrift stores. Nobody will guess you spent less than ten dollars total.
2. Rosie the Riveter
Channel girl power with this iconic World War II symbol that looks polished and put-together. All you need is a denim shirt or a chambray top, which most people have hanging in their wardrobe already.
Roll up those sleeves and tie a red bandana around your head in that signature style. Red lipstick completes the vintage vibe, and you can borrow it from a friend if needed. Strike that famous flexing pose and you’re instantly recognizable.
This costume celebrates strength and history while costing practically nothing. The best part is everything can be worn again after Halloween, making it the smartest investment on this list for your closet.
3. Greek God or Goddess
Transform a plain white bedsheet into an outfit worthy of Mount Olympus with this ancient-inspired look. Simply drape and pin the fabric around your body in a toga style, securing it with safety pins hidden underneath.
Gold accessories elevate the entire costume from dorm room to divine. Raid your jewelry box for gold necklaces, bracelets, or even spray-paint some cheap plastic ones. A laurel wreath crown can be made from fake leaves and wire from a craft store.
Flat sandals complete the mythological appearance without requiring any special purchases. People will be amazed that your goddess-worthy ensemble came from household items and cost less than a fancy coffee.
4. Cat Burglar
Sleek, mysterious, and effortlessly cool, the cat burglar never fails to impress at Halloween parties. Raid your closet for black pants, a black turtleneck or long-sleeve shirt, and dark shoes to create the foundation.
A black beanie and a simple eye mask add that criminal mastermind touch. You can make the mask from black felt or cardboard, or grab one for a dollar at party stores. Carry a small bag with a dollar sign drawn on it to really sell the thief character.
Optional additions include black gloves and dark sunglasses for extra mystery. This costume proves that monochrome simplicity sometimes makes the biggest statement, and your wallet will thank you for choosing all-black basics.
5. Tourist
Nothing says fun like the hilariously recognizable tourist costume that brings laughs wherever you go. Hunt through your summer clothes for the loudest, most colorful Hawaiian shirt you can find, or borrow one from a friend who vacations too much.
Pair it with khaki shorts, white socks pulled up high, and sandals for that classic tourist vibe. Throw a camera around your neck, wear a sun hat, and carry a folded map to complete the look.
Bonus points for adding sunscreen on your nose and wearing socks with sandals intentionally. Everyone will appreciate the humor, and you’ll spend exactly zero dollars if you shop your own closet first for these everyday items.
6. Mime Artist
Silent but striking, the mime costume delivers maximum visual impact with minimal spending required. A black and white striped shirt forms the base, and you might already own one or can find them cheaply at discount stores year-round.
Black pants, a black beret, and white gloves complete the classic French street performer look. The real transformation happens with white face paint, black eyeliner, and red lipstick to create those exaggerated mime features everyone recognizes.
Practice a few invisible wall or rope-pulling gestures, and you’ll entertain people all night without saying a single word. This costume proves that sometimes the simplest ideas create the most memorable Halloween moments without breaking your budget.
7. Decades Fashion Icon
Pick your favorite decade and become a walking time capsule that turns heads everywhere. The 1980s offer neon colors, leg warmers, and big hair that you can create with teasing and hairspray from any drugstore.
The 1970s bring disco vibes with bell-bottoms and platform shoes you might find at thrift stores for pocket change. Or choose the 1950s with a poodle skirt made from felt and a high ponytail tied with a colorful scarf.
Thrift stores are treasure troves for vintage-looking pieces at bargain prices. Add decade-appropriate accessories like retro sunglasses or costume jewelry, and suddenly you’re a fashion icon from another era that looks professionally styled and expensive.
8. Scarecrow
Straight from the farm fields comes this charming costume that looks detailed and thought-out despite its low cost. Start with flannel shirts and old jeans that have seen better days, making this the perfect excuse to use worn-out clothes.
Sew or glue colorful fabric patches randomly across your outfit for that stitched-together scarecrow appearance. Stuff straw or raffia from a craft store into your sleeves, collar, and pant cuffs so it sticks out everywhere.
Top it off with a straw hat and draw stitches on your face with eyeliner or face paint. The layered, textured look fools everyone into thinking you spent hours and tons of money creating this countryside character.
9. Fortune Teller
Mysterious and magical, the fortune teller costume lets you pile on accessories for a luxurious layered look. Drape yourself in colorful scarves and shawls borrowed from closets or found at thrift stores for just a few dollars each.
Stack on every piece of jewelry you own—the more bracelets, necklaces, and rings, the better. Large hoop earrings and a headscarf tied dramatically complete the mystical aesthetic perfectly.
Carry a crystal ball made from a clear ornament or even a glass bowl, and practice your fortune-telling voice for added entertainment. This costume proves that more is definitely more, and layering inexpensive items creates an expensive-looking ensemble that dazzles everyone around you.