How to Make a Costume

If you’re struggling to come up with a costume idea, have no fear! It’s actually much easier than you think to make a costume, even if it’s on short notice. Whether it’s for Halloween, a costume party, or just for fun, figure out if you want to be funny, scary, or even sexy. From there, it’s just a matter of finding an idea that you like.

Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Putting Together a Funny Costume

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    Make a punny costume with a lumberjack woodchuck. Puns are a great way to get a laugh and put together a simple, clever costume. Put on a plaid shirt and a pair of jeans or overalls. Wear a beard wig or use eyeliner to draw on a fake beard. Attach some “ears” of construction paper or felt to a beanie and cut out some large “teeth” out of white paper to complete your woodchuck look.[1]
    • Complete the look by carrying around a log or piece of wood so you can pretend to gnaw on it.
    • If someone asks you what your costume is, try saying something like, “How much wood would a woodchuck chuck?”
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    Dress up as a dinosaur and carry a thesaurus for a clever play on words. Wear a dinosaur costume, pajamas, or a dino-themed hat. Carry around a thesaurus as a prop and if anybody asks you what you are, tell them that you’re a thesaurus rex![2]
    • People love a good play on words and you’re sure to get a good laugh.
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    Wear a donut pool float and basketball uniform to be a dunking donut. Turn the easily recognizable coffee chain Dunkin’ Donuts into a costume by putting on basketball shorts, a jersey, and a pair of sneakers. Wear a donut pool float around your waist and carry around a basketball to add more clues about your costume.[3]
    • Add to your look with a headband and long socks.
    • Make people guess what you are before you tell them if they ask to make it more fun.
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    Carry lemons and wear a nametag that says life for a clever costume. Fill a basket full of real or fake lemons and carry it around. Use a sticky nametag and write “Life” on it before sticking it to your chest so it’s easily visible to become the embodiment of the expression, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.”[4]
    • If you have enough lemons, you could play a joke by handing them out to people that you meet so you can literally be life giving them lemons.
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    Put on a formal outfit and an animal mask to be a party animal. Wear a tuxedo, suit, cocktail dress, or ball gown to create a formal look. Put on a rabbit, squirrel, or any other animal mask to instantly become a party animal.[5]
    • This is a great and simple idea that doesn’t require much to make.
    • Style your hair and wear jewelry to complete your formal look.
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    Use a cute duo like a French chef and pastry for a couple’s costume. If you’re going to a party as a couple, use a cute combination costume idea to cause a stir. Have one person dress up as a chef with a white shirt and a chef’s hat. The other person can make a pastry costume by glueing brown coffee filters to a hoop skirt or a black body suit.[6]
    • Cute couple’s costumes are always a hit. You could even try something like Bob Ross with a wig and beard and his “happy little tree” by dressing up in green with some paint on your face.
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    Put sunglasses on your baby and dress up as ice for a simple family costume. Funny family costumes don’t have to be difficult or expensive to make. Play on the phrase “Ice, Ice, Baby” and wear a large clear plastic bag over your body with the word “Ice” written on it. Put some sunglasses on the kids so they look cool to complete the look.[7]
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    Get some friends for a group costume like the Bob’s Burgers crew. Gather a group of friends and decide who will be which character. Each person can put together their individual outfits. Have someone wear Tina’s blue shirt and blue skirt, or Louise’s green dress and pink bunny ear hat. When you go to a party or event together, you’ll make a funny group![8]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Coming up with a Sexy Costume

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    Put on horns and a latex bodysuit to be a sexy devil. Choose a pair of cute devil horns and put them on your head. Put on a dark latex bodysuit to complete your devilish costume.[9]
    • Carry a small plastic pitchfork if you want a prop.
    • You can enhance your costume by painting your skin red with red body paint.
    • Wear red and black clothes to really accentuate an evil look.
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    Wear a plaid skirt and a button-down shirt to be a sexy schoolgirl. Choose a short skirt with a plaid pattern that looks like the kind that a Catholic schoolgirl would wear. Put on a white, sleeveless button-down shirt and roll up the lower section to show off some skin.
    • Put your hair in pigtails and wear glasses to add to the theme of your costume.
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    Be a sexy bunny with a black bodysuit and rabbit ears. Put on a bodysuit or leotard and paste a fluffy ball on the backside like a little bunny tail. Wear a pair of rabbit ears on your head to complete the costume.
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    Make a sex kitten outfit with cat ears and a black dress. Find a pair of cat ears that fit onto your head. Choose a black dress or a black skirt and black shirt to wear so you look like a sexy black cat.[10]
    • You can also use eyeliner to make cat eyes.
    • Pin a strip of fabric to the back of your skirt to make a “tail.”
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    Wrap yourself with strips of linen to be a sexy mummy. Take long strips of fabric or linen and wrap them around your body. Pin the fabric together with clothespins so it doesn’t come undone while you’re wearing your costume.[11]
    • You can wear underwear or clothes underneath the wrappings if it makes you more comfortable.
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    Strap on a pair of wings and wear lingerie to be a sexy angel. Pull out some of your best lingerie and wear it as your costume. Put on a pair of costume wings so they fit over your back to complete your angel look.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Creating a Scary Costume

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    Make a witch costume for a classic scary look. Witch costumes are one of the most popular costumes, especially for Halloween. Put on a large black hat and a black dress or outfit. Carry a broom around to make it obvious that you’re a witch. Wear a long pair of striped socks and carry around a black cat stuffed animal as a prop. Make it creepy by using dark makeup around your eyes or applying green makeup to your face.[12]
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    Dress up as a creepy clown for a guaranteed scary costume. Clowns are always a surefire scary costume. Put on a brightly colored wig and use makeup to paint your face white and add clown features. Wear a clown outfit or put on some oversized clothes and paste some fluffy balls on the front for a DIY option.[13]
    • If you’re going to an event or party, you’re pretty much guaranteed to run into somebody who is afraid of clowns.
    • Add some additional creepiness by splashing some fake blood on your face.
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    Glue some buttons to glasses for a Coraline-inspired costume. Other Mother is a creepy character from the movie Coraline. Take a pair of large, black buttons and glue them to the lenses of a pair of glasses. Put the glasses on so the buttons float above your eyes.[14]
    • Enhance the look by using eyeliner to draw lines across your face like your skin is cracking.
    • The buttons may make it difficult to see, so just take them off when you aren’t in character.
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    Find an old wedding dress to be a cursed bride. Check out local pawn shops and thrift stores in your area for old wedding dresses you can use. Use eyeliner and makeup to darken your eyes and make it look like you’re dead. Make the look more dramatic by putting on mascara and splashing water on it so it runs down your face like tears.[15]
    • Pin a veil of old lace to your hair so it hangs over your face to enhance your look even further.
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    Wear a burlap sack or a blank mask to be a scary stranger. The film The Strangers is a terrifying classic that you can easily recreate simply by wearing a white, blank mask. You could also cut 2 eye holes in a burlap sack and wear it over your face to channel one of the main characters from the film.[16]
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    Paint a creepy smile and wear smudged makeup to be the Joker. Use red lipstick to draw a big, creepy smile from the corners of your mouth. Put on dark makeup around your eyes and use your hands to smudge it so you look like the Joker character from Batman.[17]
    • Wear a green wig or put temporary green hair dye in your hair to make your costume look even more like the character.
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    Carry an ax and wear a bloodstained raincoat for a psycho look. The iconic film American Psycho features a crazed killer that you can use as a costume by carrying around an ax or hatchet. Put on a clear raincoat over your outfit and splatter it with fake blood.[18]
    • You could also put fake blood on your face to sell it even more.
    • Use a plastic ax or hatchet so it’s safer and easier to carry around.
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    Be the twins from The Shining for a scary costume with your bestie. Get your friend and put on matching blue dresses. Fix your hair in matching braids and put on makeup to make the area around your eyes dark so you both look creepy.[19]
    • Get into character by holding hands together and just staring at people to freak them out.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Choosing a Kids Costume

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    Dress up as an old person for a funny kids costume. Put on a gray wig or put some baby powder in your child’s hair to make it look gray. Use eyeliner to draw a few faint lines on their forehead and face to look like wrinkles. Put on a dress and shawl or pants and a cardigan to make them look older.[20]
    • Take it to the next level by having them use a baby walker!
    • Add some glasses frames if you have an old pair you can take the lenses out of.
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    Put a robe on your baby to dress them up as Gandhi. If you’ve got a young baby without any hair, wrap a burgundy cloth around them like a robe to make them look like an adorable Gandhi. Add a pair of wooden or brown beads as a necklace to complete the look. If you have round glasses you can put on your baby, the look is complete![21]
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    Draw an eyeliner unibrow and wear flowers to be Frida Kahlo. Use a dark eyeliner to draw a line that connects your child’s eyebrows to form a unibrow. Pin some flowers in their hair to form a floral crown. Wrap a green shawl around their shoulders to complete the costume.[22]
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    Carry a broom and wear a witch hat for a classic costume. Put on a black witch hat and a black dress for a simple witch outfit. If you want to do some makeup, add some green body paint to your child’s face. Give them a small broom they can carry around to sell the look.[23]
    • You could also use eyeliner to draw a fake mole on their cheek.
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    Go with a cowboy hat and boots for a simple costume. Be a sheriff or the character “Woody” from Toy Story by putting on a cowboy hat and a pair of cowboy boots. Cut out a gold star from construction paper and write “Sheriff” on it, then pin it to the front of your child’s shirt.[24]
    • You could also add a vest to give the costume more of a Wild West feel.
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    Wear red, white, and blue and carry a shield to be Captain America. Put on a blue shirt and blue pants for the clothing of the costume. Draw the outline of a mask that covers your child’s forehead and eyes on a sheet of blue construction paper. Cut out the mask with a pair of scissors, attach string to the corners of the mask, and tie it to your child’s head. To make the shield, cut a circle out of cardboard, draw a star in the center, and paint red, white, and blue circles around it to make the shield.[25]
    • You could also find a Captain America costume and shield in the toy or costume section of your local department store.
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    Give your child a stuffed dragon toy and a robe to be Daenerys. If you’re a fan of the Game of Throne series, you can make your little one the mother of dragons, Daenerys, but putting them in a robe and a blonde wig, if you have one. Have them carry around a stuffed dragon toy (or 3) as props for their costume.[26]
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Expert Q&A

  • Question
    How do you make a pirate costume?
    Alina Bokovikova
    Alina Bokovikova
    Costume Designer
    Alina Bokovikova is a Costume Designer from California. With over 15 years of experience, she specializes in designing costumes for stage productions. Alina earned an MFA in Costume Design from the University of California, San Diego and her Master of Education from the Novosibirsk Pedagogical University. She’s won two Outstanding Costume Design awards and her costumes have been displayed in Moscow, Prague, and San Jose, California.
    Alina Bokovikova
    Alina Bokovikova
    Costume Designer
    Expert Answer
    Roll up your pants so they look like breeches and put on a big pair of boots. Wear a white button-up shirt or a corset. Then, accessorize with layers of belts, an eye patch, and bandanas.
  • Question
    How do I make a long Victorian dress?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    The easiest way without sewing is to find a long, frilly dress at a thrift store. A frilly shirt with a long skirt will work as well.
  • Question
    How can I make a Victorian-style dress?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Read this article on How to Incorporate Late Victorian Style in Your Fashion.
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References

  1. ↑ https://www.countryliving.com/diy-crafts/g21600836/diy-funny-halloween-costumes/
  2. ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/halloween-ideas/g3848/pun-halloween-costume-ideas/
  3. ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/halloween-ideas/g3848/pun-halloween-costume-ideas/
  4. ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/halloween-ideas/g3848/pun-halloween-costume-ideas/
  5. ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/halloween-ideas/g3848/pun-halloween-costume-ideas/
  6. ↑ https://www.countryliving.com/diy-crafts/g21600836/diy-funny-halloween-costumes/
  7. ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/halloween-ideas/g3848/pun-halloween-costume-ideas/
  8. ↑ https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/fashion/g7521450/funny-halloween-costumes/
  9. ↑ https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/fashion/g7483361/scary-halloween-costumes/
  1. ↑ https://diyprojects.com/10-diy-sexy-halloween-costumes/
  2. ↑ https://www.popsugar.com/fashion/How-Make-Easy-Mummy-Halloween-Costume-20128420
  3. ↑ https://www.buzzfeed.com/alannaokun/a-definitive-ranking-of-classic-halloween-costumes
  4. ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/halloween-ideas/g4564/scary-halloween-costumes/?slide=1
  5. ↑ https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/fashion/g7483361/scary-halloween-costumes/
  6. ↑ https://www.coolest-homemade-costumes.com/zombie-bride-and-groom-couple-costume/
  7. ↑ https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/fashion/g7483361/scary-halloween-costumes/
  8. ↑ https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/fashion/g7483361/scary-halloween-costumes/
  9. ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/halloween-ideas/g23653854/best-halloween-costumes-of-all-time/
  10. ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/halloween-ideas/g4564/scary-halloween-costumes/?slide=1
  11. ↑ https://joyfulhomemaking.com/2016/10/25-non-scary-halloween-costume-ideas.html
  12. ↑ https://www.boredpanda.com/kids-halloween-costume-ideas/?utm_source=cse.google&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=organic
  13. ↑ https://www.boredpanda.com/kids-halloween-costume-ideas/?utm_source=cse.google&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=organic
  14. ↑ https://www.countryliving.com/diy-crafts/g1360/halloween-costumes-for-kids/
  15. ↑ https://www.countryliving.com/diy-crafts/g1360/halloween-costumes-for-kids/
  16. ↑ https://joyfulhomemaking.com/2016/10/25-non-scary-halloween-costume-ideas.html
  17. ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/halloween-ideas/g385/popular-kids-halloween-costumes/

About This Article

Alina Bokovikova
Co-authored by:
Alina Bokovikova
Costume Designer
This article was co-authored by Alina Bokovikova. Alina Bokovikova is a Costume Designer from California. With over 15 years of experience, she specializes in designing costumes for stage productions. Alina earned an MFA in Costume Design from the University of California, San Diego and her Master of Education from the Novosibirsk Pedagogical University. She’s won two Outstanding Costume Design awards and her costumes have been displayed in Moscow, Prague, and San Jose, California. This article has been viewed 46,686 times.
1 votes - 100%
Co-authors: 26
Updated: December 29, 2022
Views: 46,686
Categories: Costumes
Article SummaryX

To make a costume for Halloween, consider easy homemade options like a pirate, ghost, or zombie. For example, all you have to do for a ghost costume is drape a white sheet over your head and body and cut out eye holes so you can see. If you want to try being a zombie, you can wear regular clothes that you've rumpled and dirtied. Then, all you need is a little fake blood and gory makeup to complete the look! For tips on making an easy fairy costume, read on!

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