5 Creative DIY Costumes You Can Make with Items at Home

Discover five super creative and out of the box halloween costumes that you can put together with a little creativity and items you most likely already have at home!

Looking for a Halloween costume that’s fun, creative, and easy to make from things you already have? Here are five costume ideas with a trendy, nostalgic vibe perfect for anyone looking to capture everyone's attention. From a throwback pop star to an iconic Y2K look, these DIY costumes are simple to put together and big on personality!

1. Y2K Pop Star/Singer

You will need a fun jacket, crop top, mini skirt or cargo pants, layered necklaces, tinted sunglasses, optional lip gloss, and chunky boots.

Instructions:

Throwback Outfit: Start with a crop top and a mini skirt (or cargo pants if you want the streetwear look). Add a fuzzy jacket or even an oversized hoodie for that Y2K vibe.
Accessories Galore: Layer on chunky necklaces, tinted sunglasses, and hoop earrings if you have them. Add a sparkly belt or a bedazzled fanny pack for extra bling.
Makeup & Hair: Go heavy on the lip gloss and apply some frosty blue or shimmery pink eyeshadow. If you have a hair crimper, this is its moment! Or, do space buns or a half-up, half-down look with butterfly clips.

2. Bubble Bath

You will need white clothing, white balloons or bubble wrap, a bathrobe or towel, a shower cap, optional loofah or rubber duck

Instructions:

Bubble Base: Start with a white top and pants or dress as the base. Inflate white balloons to different sizes and attach them to your outfit with tape or safety pins, layering them around your torso and shoulders.
Accessories: Add a bathrobe or wrap a towel around your shoulders to make it look like you just stepped out of the tub.
Bath Cap: Wear a shower cap and add a few balloons on top for extra bubbles! You could even stick on a rubber duck or a small loofah.
Bubble Wrap Twist: For extra texture, you can add bubble wrap on the arms or legs to make your “bubbles” even more convincing.

3. Nerd/Bookworm

Head into your closet and grab a button-down shirt, vest or sweater, high-waisted pants, glasses, any book, optional crocheted or sewn accessories like a bow tie or suspenders

Instructions:

Nerdy Outfit: Start with a button-down shirt, add a vest or sweater, and pull on high-waisted pants. If you don’t have real glasses, pop the lenses out of an old pair of sunglasses.
Accessories: Crochet a small bow tie or sew together a simple rectangle of fabric, scrunching it in the center to give it that bow-tie look. If you have an old scarf or headband, you can also fashion it into suspenders.
The Book: Carry any book around as a prop, or add a "reading list" to a small notebook to complete the look.

4. Scarecrow

You will need a flannel shirt, jeans or overalls, old straw hat, twine or yarn, makeup or face paint, optional scraps for patches

Instructions:

Outfit Assembly: Grab a flannel shirt and a pair of jeans or overalls. Tuck the shirt halfway in for a rugged look.
Patch Details: Cut square patches from scrap fabric and sew or pin them onto the shirt or pants. Use a simple running stitch for an easy, rustic feel.
Accessories: Stuff some twine or yarn into the shirt sleeves and pants cuffs to mimic straw sticking out. If you have a straw hat, pop that on, or craft one by adding yarn or raffia to a beanie or sun hat.
Face Makeup: Use makeup or face paint to add a scarecrow-inspired nose and stitches around the mouth.

5. Retro Tourist

Pick out your favorite hawaiian shirt, cargo shorts or khakis, sun hat or visor, fanny pack, old camera, optional map or folded brochure

Instructions:

Tourist Look: Start with a bright or patterned Hawaiian shirt (or any colorful shirt) paired with cargo shorts or khakis.
Accessories: A fanny pack is essential, so wear one around your waist or across your shoulder. Complete the look with a sun hat, visor, or even a headband with a fun tropical print.
Props: Carry an old camera or a folded-up map for the “lost tourist” vibe. You could also bring along a brochure for a popular destination to show off your “travel plans.”
Sock & Sandal Combo (optional): For the ultimate retro tourist look, add white socks and sandals.

With these easy costumes, you’ll be ready to celebrate Halloween in style without spending a fortune! Each idea is simple yet full of personality, making it easy to express yourself and have a memorable night.

Check out the fashion course sections on Domestika to learn even more tips and tricks to sewing aspects of your costume together and make them even more unique to you!

Additional Links on Domestika:
Basic Sewing with a Sewing Machine, by Julia Reyes Retana
Embroidery: Clothing Repair, by Ofelia & Antelmo