With everything else going on in the world in 2017, planning your Halloween costume might not be at the top of your list. If you let Halloween creep up on you, and you need to throw a costume together, like right now, these last-minute Halloween 2017 costume ideas can provide you with some on-the-fly inspiration. You don't need to get too spendy to put together a clever Halloween get up that everyone will love. And, making your own costume with items from around the house, or low-cost items you can order online, can help put you in touch with your creative side.
I've thrown together many last minute costumes, mostly because I am a chronic procrastinator. And, living in a city like Los Angeles where the seasons hardly means that Halloween usually creeps up on me because I'm convinced it's still June. One year I put together an epic Stevie Nicks circa 1975 outfit using my own clothes, a $10 wig, and a top hat from a costume store. The witchy, classic '70s era Nicks costume was a huge hit with both friends and strangers.
A few year later I went as Gemma Teller from Sons of Anarchy wearing my own jeans, top, boots, and leather jacket. I topped it off with a wig I borrowed from a friend.
If, for whatever reason, Halloween sneaks up on you this year, these last-minute Halloween 2017 costume ideas have got your covered.
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1. Identity Crisis
This costume is super easy to put together. A friend of mine did this a few years ago, and it was a big hit. All you need to do is wear your own clothes and some stickers. Then just take a marker and write a different name on each sticker, and stick them all over yourself. Presto, you are now an identity crisis.
You'll Need: "Hello My Name Is" stickers, $4, Amazon
2. Cat Burglar
If you want to go incognito, you can put this cat burglar costume together for less than $20. And, if you have Amazon Prime you can get the hat and cat ears delivered the same day. Just don your own black jeans and shirt, and add these extras for a fun pun costume.
You'll Need: Black Knit Thermal Face Ski Mask, $7, Amazon and Cat Ears and Bow, $8, Amazon
3. Joanne Fan
If you've got a favorite band, or album, it's super easy to throw together a fan costume. I am currently obsessed with Lady Gaga's "Joanne" so I would make a Joanne Fan costume. All you need for your music-fan costume is a band shirt and some hand fans. You can either pin the fans to the shirt, or carry the fan around with you and fan yourself.
You'll Need: Joanne Lady Gaga Shirt, $20, Etsy; Vintage Retro Style Handmade Silk Black Hand Fan, $9, Amazon; Pink Crushable Cowboy Hat, $28, Venus
4. Book Worm
If reading is your jam, you can put together a super simple and creative book worm costume using items from around your house. Simply dress in khaki, or green, from head to toe, then print out images of your favorite book covers and tape them to your clothes.
You'll Need: A monochromatic outfit from your closet, a printer, scissors, and tape.
5. Rosie The Riveter
Take a stand for women's rights by going as World War II cultural icon Rosie the Riveter. This is one that you can likely put together with items from around your house. Just grab your favorite pair of jeans and button up shirt, a bandana, and follow these tips for creating the perfect Rosie the Riveter hairstyle.
You'll Need: Bandana Print Jersey Head Wrap, $10, Kohl's
6. Hershey's Kiss
Want to pay homage to your favorite candy kisses this Halloween? Make a creative Hershey's Kiss costume out of tin foil. Use a tutu, skirt or dress from your closet, and cover it with tin foil. Next, fashion a triangle hat, then get a long white ribbon and a blue marker to make your Hershey's flag.
You'll Need: Tin foil, a white ribbon, and a marker.
7. Candy Hearts
If you've really waited until the last minute, you can put this one together in just a few minutes. All you need to become a candy heart is a solid color dress, or top and matching pants, construction paper, scissors, and some string. Simply cut the paper into hearts, write your own messages on them, attach a string and wear the hearts like a necklace.
You'll Need: Construction paper, scissors, string, and a marker. You can grab all of these items at your local drug store if you don't already have them lying around your pad.
8. The Countess
A bloodthirsty countess costume is another last minute Halloween idea you can create on the fly. I did this two years ago, and it was super easy. Basically all you need to do is make your lips and eyes stand out. You can even use red lipstick to create some fake blood droplets coming out of your mouth. You can also go subtle on the make up, dress up super glam, and tell people you have an ancient blood virus like the Countess on American Horror Story: Hotel, who was based on Elizabeth Bathory of Hungary — a ruthless serial killer during the Middle Ages.
You'll Need: A black dress, or black top and pants, red lipstick, face powder (I used baby powder), and black eye makeup. If you want to add some claws just take a pair of gloves and cover the fingertips with pieces of tin foil shaped like triangles.
9. Top-Secret Superhero
You already know that women are going to save the world just like Bey says, use your Halloween costume to let everyone else know it too. All you need to do this is a subtle outfit, like a button-down shirt and pants, and a superhero t-shirt. Put the button-down shirt on over your superhero shirt, and leave it halfway unbuttoned so you look like you're about to transform into a superhero at any second.
You'll Need: Supergirl Girls' "Girls Will Save the World" Tee, $8, Amazon
10. A Unicorn
Who doesn't want to be a unicorn? You can transform yourself into a unicorn with items from around your house. Simply wear your own clothes, and make a unicorn horn our of a piece of paper by rolling it into a cone and stapling it. If you want to up your unicorn game a bit, and you have Amazon Prime, you can grab this last minute horn to let people know exactly who you are — a fabulous AF unicorn!
You'll Need: Silver Shiny Unicorn Horn Glitter Elastic Headband, $7, Amazon
11. Undercover Fortune Teller
Predict the future for all of your friends by going as an undercover fortune teller. Wear your own clothes and consult your crystal ball, err Magic 8 Ball, to make your predictions.
You'll Need: Magic 8 Ball, $7, Amazon
Need some more ideas? Meet Pinterest, your new bestie when it comes to crafting an epic DIY last minute Halloween costume.
