41+ Cheap Halloween Costumes (DIY, Last-Minute)

This post is full of cheap Halloween costumes you can easily recreate this year!

For so many years, I would wait until the last minute and have to scramble to find cheap Halloween costumes just a few nights before Halloween. So I get it, it’s hard to come up with fun ideas AND stay within budget — I’m not trying to spend a lot of money on something I’m only going to wear once!

One thing I love to do is find easy costumes with normal clothes. It’s such an easy way to create a good costume and then you only have to buy a few things (like simple accessories) to complete the look.

If you’re like me, you want to enjoy all the fun of dressing up for Halloween without breaking the bank. One great way to save money is by shopping smart and finding affordable pieces you can use for multiple occasions, including creating costumes.

Shopping at places like an amazon bin store near me can be a game-changer. These stores offer liquidation items at steep discounts, and you can find everything from clothing to accessories that can be re-purposed for your Halloween costume. It’s a fantastic way to score deals and get creative with what you already have at home—whether it’s transforming a plain t-shirt into a superhero costume or using old scarves and hats for a vintage-inspired look.

The best part is that the hunt for hidden gems in these Amazon bin stores can be just as fun as coming up with the costume ideas themselves. You’ll find plenty of items that can be turned into unique costumes without spending a fortune on something that will be worn once. Instead of spending big on store-bought costumes, which often feel over-priced for one-time wear, you can find pieces that will have a second life in your wardrobe.

So if you’re in need of cheap Halloween costumes for couples or duos, then this is the list for you! These are some of my favorite ideas that are truly SO affordable! Plus, some of them only require easy Halloween makeup so you’re not spending a lot of time on it either. Happy Halloweennn!

This post is all about cheap Halloween costumes for 2024.

BEST CHEAP HALLOWEEN COSTUMES:

1. Princess Mia

2. Poison Ivy

Poison ivy is so easy! All you really need is something green! You can turn up the heat with a leotard or just pair a tank top with shorts. Plus finding greenery for cheap is really easy at a thrift store or craft shop.

3. Ms. PAC Man and Ghosts

This one is super easy! Just get some cardboard and paint for your Ms. PAC Man, and some bright colored tee shirts for your ghosts! Perfect for a group costume, couples costume, or just solo.

4. Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater

So for this costume, one of you will dress as a pumpkin and the other person can wear whatever they want with a name tag that says ‘Peter’. Then just add some orange makeup around their mouth – this humor is perfect for an adult cheap Halloween costume.

5. Vincent and Julius from ‘Twins’

Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny Devito from ‘Twins’ are iconic! I love this movie and this concept is hilarious. You can either do a duo costume with a friend or just dress up as Vincent or Julius.

6. Cuzco

Really any character from ‘Emperor’s New Groove’ is such a fun idea, but Cuzco especially! You just need an oversized tee shirt and some cardboard to make a crown. Bonus if you can get some massive earrings to match!

7. Cruella Deville

8. Serena Van Der Woodson and Blair Waldorf

Get out your school girl outfits! Ha okay really all you need is a white button down, tie, headband, and skirt to get this look going. It’s all in the accessories! I love this as a friends costume or just pick whichever character speaks to you more and go as her.

9. Carrie Bradshaw

Grab your fluffiest tutu, a pink tank top, and bam! You’re now one of the most chaotic love life columnists in New York.

10. Donna 

I love Mamma Mia and honestly that whole movie is a vibe, but Donna’s look? With the overalls and loose curls? Iconic. And so easy to replicate for cheap! Don’t forget to bust out a rendition of ‘Dancing Queen’ at some point during the night as well.

11. Cards Against Humanity

Another great group costume but also perfect for couples or a duo. Get some cardboard and paint, and channel your funny bone to come up with a good prompt and answer!

12. Tinkerbell

13. Princess Leia

If you’re looking for a Star Wars cheap Halloween costumes, Princess Leia from ‘The Phantom Menace’ is the way to go! Just need a white top, white pants, and a blaster gun to complete this look.

14. Girl from ‘The Ring’

One scary cheap Halloween costume is the girl from ‘The Ring’! All you need is a white dress and long black wig, and voila! If you don’t know who this is, look it up.

15. Super Girl

A superhero cheap Halloween costume that’s really simple is Super Girl! This costume can be cute or hot depending on how much skin you show, but perfect for multiple occasions.

16. Viola from ‘She’s The Man’

I really loved this movie and I think it’s the funniest when she’s in the full uniform on move in day. This is a really cheap costume if you can borrow some khakis and a suit coat from a guy friend or brother, then all you need is a wig. Don’t forget your soccer ball and tampon!

17. Holly Golightly

Audrey Hepburn had it right in ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’! This little black dress and pearls is so classic and actually really affordable. It’s a great cheap option because you probably already have a black dress at home!

18. Lava Girl (& Sharkboy)

19. Wednesday Addams

Put your hair in two long braids and find a black dress. This Wednesday Addams costume is super easy to throw together last-minute.

20. Witch

There’s a reason that people have been dressing up as witches forever and part of that reason is because they’re so easy! All you need to purchase is a broom and a hat, other than that, you probably already have a dress you can wear at home.

21. Meredith Grey

Grab some scrubs and a white doctor’s coat for this Meredith Grey costume! It’s such a cheap, last-minute fix. Plus someone’s bound to be dressed up as a McDreamy so it’s practically fate.

22. Deer

If you’re looking for an animal cheap Halloween costume then this is a great idea! Super simple if you already have some brown clothes, then you can just use makeup for the rest – plus it’s so cute!

23. Violet Beauregarde 

24. Miss Congeniality

Loved Sandra Bullock in this movie. This costume is so cheap and easy. Find a pink prom dress, sash, combat boots, and you’re all set! You can definitely thrift a dress, too.

25. Uma Thurman in ‘Kill Bill’

For this next costume, all you need is yellow track suit and you’re set! This one is such a quick, cheap Halloween costume — it really doesn’t get easier than this!

26. WWE Diva

Hear me out, all you need is spandex, a swimsuit top, and a WWE belt (which they have at Goodwill stores and Target). Be your very own WWE Superstar! This is definitely a costume that basically no one else will have, too!

27. Cher from ‘Clueless’

Okay hear me out… you might have to spend a bit on a matching yellow plaid skirt and top, BUT you can get so many uses out of it. Plus Cher is such a super cute and great costume idea.

28. Elle Woods

29. Black Cat

This is a tried and true favorite. As far as black cheap Halloween costumes go, the black cat can’t be beat! Pair with some ears and draw on some whiskers, but any black outfit will complete this look.

30. Black Widow

This costume is HOT, so cheap, and also easy. If you want a Marvel cheap Halloween costumes, this one is a no-brainer. All you need is some tight black clothes! Pick up a toy gun at the store and you’re set.

31. Dorothy

Nothing beats the classic ruby slippers and blue gingham dress. Dorothy from ‘Wizard of Oz’ is such a cheap costume and so recognizable! Especially with the ‘Wicked’ movie coming out this year!!

32. Sims

Honestly, this is a great idea because you can just wear your regular clothes! All you need to add is the green gem on top (I recommend using painted cardboard attached to a headband). Don’t forget your Simlish!

33. Jenna from ’13 Going on 30′

34. Belle

Who didn’t love ‘Beauty and The Beast’ growing up? Belle is a lot of people’s favorite Disney princess because she has the cutest story. Recreating the yellow gown with a skirt, corset, and some gloves is so stunning but also cheap!

35. French Person

As far as simple costumes go, be a stereotypical French person! Striped shirt, black pants, beret, and a baguette! Okay, well the baguette is optional but overall, great costume. This is also a costume that will definitely be one of the most unique ideas you’ll see.

36. Fiona

Who knows, maybe you’ll find your Shrek prince! 😉 Fiona is such an easy costume. With a green dress and single braid you’ll be everyone’s favorite ogre bride.

37. Construction Worker

Listen, everyone has a pair of jeans and a t-shirt right? So all you’re missing is the orange vest and hat… plus you can make this even sexier by wearing short shorts or a tank top underneath.

38. Daphne from ‘Scooby Doo’

39. Rachel Green

Last but not least, Rachel from ‘Friends’! She has the most effortlessly stylish looks, like it’s 20+ years later and we’re still taking inspiration from her. Pick an outfit from any episode and recreate it for an easy, cheap Halloween costume.

40. Dwight Schrute

Mustard shirt, brown pants, glasses, and a wristwatch… they even made a joke in a ‘The Office’ episode about how cheap this look is to replicate!

41. Elizabeth Bennet from ‘Pride and Prejudice’

This costume is the perfect excuse to pull together a million different patterns. Top it all off with an apron and messy updo, and prepare to live your best Jane Austen life.

There’s no right or wrong way to do this costume so just commit and give it a try. Also let’s not pretend that we aren’t obsessed with Austen-core.