Halloween costumes have a funny way of getting expensive fast. Walk into any seasonal store and you’ll find basic costumes running $30, $40, or more — for an outfit that gets worn once and then shoved in a closet. The good news is that some of the most memorable, creative, and comment-worthy costumes don’t come from a store rack at all. They come from a closet raid, a trip to the dollar store, and a little imagination.
This list rounds up 20 Halloween costumes you can realistically put together for under $10, most of them using items you may already own. Each one includes what you’ll need, how to assemble it, and tips to make it look polished rather than thrown-together. Whether you’re dressing yourself, a partner, a kid, or the whole family, there’s something here for every budget-conscious Halloween plan.
1. Ghost
The original budget costume, and still one of the best. Grab an old white bedsheet, cut two eye holes, and you’re done. For a more polished version, hem the edges so it doesn’t fray, and consider cutting the bottom into a jagged, uneven hemline for a spookier look. Add a pair of old white sneakers or socks to complete the look without needing anything store-bought at all.
Cost: $0-3 (if you need a sheet from a thrift store)
2. Black Cat
Nearly everyone owns black clothing already. Pair black pants, a black top, and black shoes with a cheap pair of cat ear headbands from a dollar store, then use black eyeliner or face paint to draw on whiskers and a nose. A black tail can be made from an old black sock stuffed with newspaper and pinned to your waistband.
Cost: $2-5
3. Cardboard Robot
Two cardboard boxes — one for the torso and one for the head — plus some silver duct tape or spray paint creates a surprisingly convincing robot costume. Cut arm and leg holes in the torso box, cut eye holes in the head box, and add random dials, buttons, and knobs drawn on with marker or cut from bottle caps and glued on.
Cost: $3-8
4. Scarecrow
Flannel shirt, overalls or old jeans with patches, a straw hat, and some real or fake straw tucked into the sleeves, collar, and cuffs makes an instantly recognizable scarecrow. Use face paint to add stitched-mouth details and rosy cheeks for extra flair. Most people already own the core clothing pieces needed.
Cost: $0-6
5. Mime
A black and white striped shirt (often already owned or found cheap at a thrift store), black pants, suspenders, and white face paint with exaggerated black eye and eyebrow makeup makes for an instantly recognizable costume. White gloves, if you have them, complete the look, though they’re optional.
Cost: $3-8
6. Bag of Jelly Beans
Fill a large clear plastic bag (a painter’s drop cloth or oversized trash bag works too) with inflated balloons in multiple colors, then cut holes for your arms, legs, and head. Tie it loosely at the top like a candy bag. It’s colorful, easy to move in, and always gets a laugh.
Cost: $4-9 (balloons and a large bag)
7. Skeleton
An all-black outfit paired with white face paint and hand-painted bone details is a Halloween classic that never goes out of style. Use white face paint for the skull design and, if you want to go further, iron-on or paint bone shapes directly onto an old black shirt using white fabric paint.
Cost: $3-8
8. Fortune Teller
[IMAGE PROMPT 9: A person dressed as a mystical fortune teller with a colorful headscarf, layered jewelry, a flowing skirt, and a crystal ball prop on a small table, warm candlelit atmosphere]
Raid your closet or a thrift store for a flowy skirt, a colorful scarf for your head, and as much layered jewelry as you can find. A cheap glass ornament or even a clear glass bowl can double as a crystal ball prop. Bold eye makeup completes the dramatic, mystical look.
Cost: $2-7
9. Cardboard Box TV Character
Cut arm and neck holes into a medium cardboard box, then paint or draw a TV screen, knobs, and antenna on the front. Inside the “screen,” draw or tape a picture of a funny face, static pattern, or your favorite show reference. Wear all black underneath so the box is the clear focal point.
Cost: $2-5
10. Vampire
An old black cape (or a black sheet safety-pinned around the shoulders), dark formal clothing, pale face powder, and a set of cheap plastic fangs from a party store create an instant vampire look. Slick your hair back and add a touch of fake blood at the corner of your mouth for extra drama.
Cost: $3-9
11. Nerd/Dork
This one costs almost nothing if you already own mismatched, quirky clothes. High-waisted pants, a plaid or striped shirt tucked in awkwardly, suspenders, oversized taped glasses (or fake frames from a dollar store), and a pocket full of pens complete the look. Messy hair and a piece of tape on the glasses bridge adds a final comedic touch.
Cost: $0-4
12. Mummy
Wrap yourself in strips of white fabric, old bedsheets torn into strips, or inexpensive gauze bandages from a dollar store, layering them loosely for texture. Wear all-white or neutral clothing underneath so any gaps blend in naturally. Smudge a little gray or brown makeup around the wraps for an aged, weathered effect.
Cost: $3-8
13. Superhero (Generic)
An old pillowcase safety-pinned around the shoulders makes an easy cape. Pair it with any brightly colored shirt and leggings or tights you already own, then cut a simple emblem shape from felt or construction paper and glue or pin it to the chest. A basic fabric or paper mask completes the transformation.
Cost: $2-6
14. Static Electricity / “Bad Hair Day”
Tease and spray your hair into a wild, standing-on-end style, then rub a few balloons on your clothes so they stick to your arms and torso for a “shocked” look. This costume is almost entirely free if you already own hairspray and a couple of balloons, and it’s guaranteed to draw laughs.
Cost: $0-3
15. Cereal Killer
A pun costume that requires almost nothing: wear plain clothes splattered with a little fake blood (homemade from corn syrup and red food coloring), and carry an empty cereal box with a plastic knife stuck through it. It’s cheap, funny, and endlessly explainable at every party you attend.
Cost: $2-6
16. 80s Workout Enthusiast
Neon leggings, an oversized sweatshirt cut at the collar, leg warmers, a colorful headband, and mismatched wristbands recreate an instantly recognizable 80s aerobics look. Most of these pieces can be found secondhand or repurposed from items already in a closet, especially colorful athletic wear.
Cost: $3-9
17. Human Emoji
A plain yellow shirt with a simple circular face — using fabric paint, felt cutouts, or even a printed and taped-on paper face — instantly becomes a recognizable emoji costume. Pick a specific expression (laughing, winking, heart-eyes) to make the reference clearer and more fun.
Cost: $2-5
18. Paper Bag Princess/Prince
Cut arm and head holes into a large brown paper grocery bag, then decorate it with marker, crayon, or glued-on fabric scraps to resemble royal robes. Top it off with a simple cardboard or paper crown. This costume is cheap, quick, and especially fun for younger kids who enjoy decorating it themselves.
Cost: $0-2
19. Zombie
Take an old shirt and pants you don’t mind ripping, tear and distress the fabric, then rub in a bit of dirt, gray, or brown makeup for a decayed look. Pale face powder, dark circles under the eyes made with eyeshadow, and a little fake blood around fake wound details finish the transformation.
Cost: $2-7
20. Cardboard Cereal Box Costume (Brand Parody)
Cut arm and neck holes into a large cardboard box, then paint or decorate it to resemble a giant cereal box, complete with a made-up brand name and a funny mascot character drawn or painted on the front. This one’s endlessly customizable and works great as a group costume if everyone makes a different “flavor.”
Cost: $3-8
Tips for Making Any DIY Costume Look Better
A few small techniques can make even the simplest, cheapest costume look far more polished and put-together.
Commit to the makeup. Face paint and makeup do more heavy lifting than almost any clothing piece. A well-executed makeup look can elevate an otherwise simple outfit dramatically.
Distress fabric intentionally. For costumes like zombies, scarecrows, or mummies, deliberately torn, dirtied, or aged fabric looks far more convincing than clean, pristine clothing.
Use props to sell the concept. A single well-chosen prop — a crystal ball, a cereal box, a cardboard sign — can communicate a costume idea instantly, even if the clothing itself is simple.
Coordinate accessories. Matching or complementary accessories (gloves, headbands, jewelry) tie a look together and make it feel intentional rather than thrown together at the last minute.
Practice your makeup ahead of time. If your costume involves face paint or detailed makeup, do a test run a few days before Halloween so you’re not troubleshooting under time pressure on the day itself.
Check thrift stores first. Before buying anything new, check secondhand stores for base clothing items. Many of the costumes on this list rely on pieces that are easy to find secondhand for a dollar or two.
Final Thoughts
Halloween costumes don’t need a big budget to make a big impression. Some of the most memorable costumes — the ones people still talk about years later — come from creativity and a little effort, not an expensive store purchase. Raid your closet, check the dollar store, and don’t be afraid to get a little messy with paint, cardboard, and glue.
Whether you go classic with a ghost or skeleton, comedic with a pun costume, or nostalgic with an 80s look, there’s a budget-friendly option here for practically every taste. Pick one that excites you, gather your materials a few days ahead of time, and enjoy the process of putting it together — that’s often half the fun of Halloween in the first place.
I’m Grayson Watson, your frugal companion and the brain behind this money-saving extravaganza. Strap yourself in, because we’re about to embark on a wallet-friendly adventure like no other. Learn More!