Halloween in Ireland is around the corner (Saturday, 31 October), and if you have put off finding your Halloween costume, it’s okay! When it comes to even thinking about finding easy last-minute Halloween costumes, you most likely also think about the cost. Luckily, you don’t have to put too much thought into it.
What you will have to do is get creative with what you already have at home to create the perfect last-minute AND cheap Halloween costume. In this quick guide, we will show you how to create 3 cheap DIY Halloween costume ideas to get you started (and soon).
- Easy witch or wizard costume
- DIY zombie costume
- Last-minute detective costume
- Last-minute Halloween costume FAQs
The Classic Witch or Wizard
A witch and wizard are two of the easiest Halloween costumes to put together, especially when you are short on time. Even better, you can put these costumes together with clothing you already have in your wardrobe. Any money you spend could go towards cheap extras and accessories to complete the looks.
Here is what you will need to get you started (can apply to both witches and wizards):
- a black dress, skirt, robe or trousers
- a black top, jumper or cardigan
- black shoes
Completing the look will require:
- a black pointy hat
- a black cape
- a broomstick or wand
- dramatic makeup
You can go for the classic witch look and use green face paint, or you can use the makeup you already have to create a darker look. Dark lipstick, dark eyeshadow and bold eyeliner will be your go-to for a bold witch look.
Costume savings tip: You can use a broom you already have at home for both a witch and wizard costume. If you need to buy a wand and pointy hat, first search for Halloween deals on costume accessories and also check out our Toys coupon codes for deals.
A Post-Apocalypse Zombie
If you have old clothes that are not in condition to be given away and are just sitting at the back of your wardrobe taking up space, use them for a zombie Halloween costume. This is a great way to give those clothes a second life and get a fun Halloween costume without spending too much.
The trick for this is to be okay with altering the clothes. You can use old shirts, jeans, skirts or dresses to create your zombie costume (if they are slightly oversized, that works great). You will also need a pair of shoes that you are comfortable wearing and getting dirty.
To turn your clothes into a zombie costume, some alterations you can consider include:
- getting the clothes dirty
- adding distressed details such as tears and rips
- using markers or fake blood to draw on the clothes
The clothes alone won't complete your zombie costume! You can complete the costume with an undead makeup look. To do this, you can:
- start off with light foundation or light face paint to give your face a pale appearance
- apply grey or black eyeshadow around your eyes and cheekbones to create a hollowed-out look
- apply red lipstick, fake blood or face paint around your mouth
If you will use fake blood and face paint, remember to check that they are safe to use on skin to avoid irritation. You should also do a patch test first to check that they will not dye your skin.
Costume savings tip: If you will be using makeup to complete your look, search for inexpensive makeup options that you won’t mind using a lot of or getting messy with. You can also use Beauty discount codes to reduce the price of your makeup purchase.
A Dedicated Detective
Halloween costumes don’t always have to be scary. “Sometimes, a good Halloween costume can be simple and refer to something in our daily lives,” says Marylyn Ncube, Love Vouchers’ money-saving expert. Such costumes can also be the easiest and cheapest to put together.
One such costume is a detective costume. Perfect as a last-minute and budget-friendly Halloween costume, the detective (or private investigator) costume could already exist in your wardrobe.
To create this costume, you will need:
- a smart or dress shirt
- a blazer, jacket or long coat
- dark trousers
- smart shoes (but prioritise comfort)
You may have all of these as part of your work wardrobe, and ordinarily, they may not look like much. However, to bring this costume to life, accessories will be your best friend, and there is a good chance you will have these around the house as well.
The accessories that will make it obvious that you are a detective are:
- a tie
- a pen and notebook
- a magnifying glass
- a file (case file)
- a hat such as a fedora
Costume savings tip: If you need certain clothing pieces for the costume, you can consider shopping second-hand or using Fashion discount codes to save money on clothing. The best part? You can add whatever you buy to your wardrobe and daily outfit rotation.
Last-minute Halloween FAQs
1. Where can I find cheap Halloween costume accessories?
Local supermarkets will have cheap Halloween accessories. You can also check local toy shops, charity shops or costume shops for deals on accessories.
2. Can I order a last-minute Halloween costume online?
If making your own costume is not possible, you can. However, you will have to check the delivery times beforehand to ensure you receive your costume before Halloween. For last-minute shopping, the click-and-collect option can be faster than standard delivery.
3. Is it cheaper to make or buy a last-minute Halloween costume?
Making your own Halloween costume is cheaper than buying one, especially if it is at the last minute. When you already have the items in your home, you can make your own costume without having to spend much or anything at all. If you feel rushed or under pressure to buy a costume, you may end up spending more than necessary to get one.
4. How can I make my last-minute Halloween costume look expensive?
To make your last-minute costume look expensive, focus on the theme and build a good base for the costume. Black clothes will be important in a witch or wizard costume, smart clothes will be important for a detective costume, and distressed clothes will be important for a zombie costume.
Get the Best Deals on Easy Last-minute Halloween Costumes
Don’t procrastinate a minute longer! Whether you simply want to participate in the spooky festivities or are attending a Halloween party, consider one of our easy last-minute Halloween costumes. Don’t forget to explore our offering of Halloween promo codes for the latest Halloween savings deals.
