Halloween is one of my favorite events of the year! I mean, how often do you get to dress as someone or something else in public and no one thinks twice about it?
I've worn a ton of different Halloween costumes over the years - some were store bought, but many of them I created out of items I already had in my closet. Store bought costumes are great, but if you're looking for something really creative and unique, sourcing items you already own and buying accessories to complete the look is an inexpensive way to elevate your costume game.
Here are a few of my favorite costumes from over the years and details on how you can recreate it yourself. Many of these items are available on Amazon Prime, so if you're running short on time that two-day shipping is the way to go!
Mermaid
One of my favorite costumes I ever crafted was this mermaid outfit! I purchased the skirt from Amazon (it was sooo long on me, I had to cut some fabric off the bottom) but the top was DIY! I took an old white, fitted corset top from Forever 21 and bought a package of shells and some faux pearls from Michael's craft store. I hot glued all of the shells and pearls to the top, following the natural lines of the corset. For a finishing touch I glued a starfish to a hair clip to wear in my hair. This outfit is especially great if you want to wear a mermaid costume without showing too much skin. The skirt kept me warm and the glued shells stayed put all night.
Another easy option I made a few years back was pairing a long green maxi skirt with a lace bralet. A string of shells around the waist and a blue ombre wig finished the look.
SHOP MERMAID COSTUME
Jewel Thief
This costume was super easy and fun! I wore a faux leather dress that I had in my closet for ages and paired it with all of my jewelry that was particularly "bling-y." For an added touch I bought some black gloves and attached a little black bag to a belt I wore around my waist. My husband dressed up with me, wearing a black bow tie and hat.
SHOP JEWEL THIEF
Modern Cowgirl
I was gifted these amazing boots from Shoe Dazzle and as soon as I saw them I knew they had potential for a fire cowgirl costume! Because apparently I'm already vibing the Western look, I already had a fringe skirt, metal embellished belt, and a cowboy hat. Add in a black tank and a bandana mask (can we say fully 2020 appropriate?) and the modern cowgirl costume was complete.
SHOP MODERN COWGIRL
Celebrity Look-Alike
In 2018 I dressed as Kylie Jenner who had celebrated her 21st birthday a couple months prior and wore a glittery, pink designer jumpsuit. I wasn't sure if anyone would even know who I was, but much to my surprise I had a TON of interaction from party-goers who had clearly been "Keeping up with the Kardashians." I had a long blonde wig from a past costume, so I repurposed and styled for this outfit. I bought a similar version of Kylie's birthday jumpsuit from Fashion Nova and paired with some nude heels. Of course, I went extra hard on the makeup and lip liner.
SHOP KYLIE COSTUME
Sexy Garbage Truck Driver
Yup, you read that right. After years of jokingly asking why the only careers represented in "sexy" Halloween costumes were ones like nurses and policeman instead of truck drivers and plumbers, I decided I was going to make-good on my idea and dress as a "sexy" garbage truck driver. I purchased a pack of Waste Management stickers from eBay for a few bucks and stuck them to an orange trucker hat and reflective vest from Amazon. Paired the outfit with a pair of boyfriend jeans, a black tank top and a pair of black heels. Attached a garbage bag to my belt and enjoyed having a place to throw my trash all night.
SHOP SEXY GARBAGE TRUCK DRIVER
Cartoon Character
Had to pay homage to one of my favorite childhood shows, Recess by dressing as Spinelli! Wore a red dress under my black faux leather jacket and purchased some orange and black striped tights and an orange beanie, with combat boots on my feet. Of course, my hair was styled in pigtails.
SHOP SPINELLI COSTUME
Family Costumes
If you love matching with your family or friends for Halloween - I'm with you! Here are two fun family costumes we've done so far since becoming a family of three!
Harry Potter
If you have a white button-down shirt and a plaid skirt, you can duplicate my Slytherin costume pretty easily! I only purchased a tie and socks to complete my look and my husband bought a cape, tie and round glasses for his Gryffindor costume. Baby Rio's costume was from Amazon and super cute (until he had a major blow-out in it, but that's neither here nor there).
SHOP HARRY POTTER COSTUMES
Wizard of Oz
For 2020, we decided to go as Dorothy's Dream Team a.k.a. The Scarecrow, Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion. These costumes were honestly pretty simple to put together, and we sourced things we already had in our closet with a few purchased accessories to complete the look.
SHOP WIZARD OF OZ
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