Scary Easy: Seven Halloween Costumes for the Last Minute Planners

Halloween is creeping up fast, and while some people have had their costumes mapped out since November 1st of last year, the rest of us might want something that's quick, clever, and won’t cost all the money you made over the summer. These seven costumes are fun, reusable, and won't haunt your wallet.

Ke$ha

With glitter, chaos, and a little bit of smudged eyeliner, Ke$ha is the definition of the effortlessly messy look. Sequin tops and cutoff shorts are all you really need to encapsulate the 2010 party girl vibe. Add in some fishnets and crimped hair with blue highlights to take the look to the next level. Add anything that looks like it survived a 5 day bender to accessorize. For makeup, think eyeliner, lipstick, and as much glitter as possible. The biggest bonus? It's a costume you dance in, no restrictive pieces or excessive props. All you have to do is bring the energy and chaos to complete the look.

Sabrina Carpenter

Sabrina Carpenter's commitment to the sparkly simple outfits makes her perfect for Halloween. Grab a shimmering mini dress, high boots, and anything sequined. Style your hair with big loose waves. Keep the aesthetic fun and flirty! You don’t need any high end clothes, as long as it sparkles it works! Moreover, a sparkly dress is something that can be reworn anytime you want to feel a little starpower.

Britney Spears

Some costumes are classics because they are the perfect blend of recognizable, nostalgic and surprisingly easy to pull off. Britney Spears' schoolgirl look for her …Baby One More Time music video is precisely that. You just need a white button up tied at the waist, a gray cardigan, plaid skirt and the iconic braided pigtails. Add knee-high socks and chunky shoes, and you're instantly transformed. This is a costume that balances simplicity with cultural punch; everyone loves it and everyone gets it.

Clark Kent

With Superman smashing into theatres this summer, it's more relevant than ever to put a twist on the timeless costume.Pull a white button up over a superman undershirt. Tube top, T-shirt, or tank top; it’s your choice! Pair it with a black mini skirt and finish the look with glasses. This costume escapes the basic corset/mini skirt combo and adds variety to the Halloweekend line up. Plus, it makes for great photo moments with the iconic shirt reveal. Clever, stylish, and completely reusable afterwards. The Clark Kent look is a “super” costume.

Carrie

Horror Costumes don’t get much more iconic, or effective, than Carrie. All you need is a dress, tiara and some fake blood. Drizzle, smear or pour the fake blood dramatically over the dress and your hair, and suddenly you’re straight out of Stephen King’s nightmare. This costume doesn’t require perfection. In fact, the messier the blood, the better. Pair it with smudged mascara and you’ll be the stuff of a horror legend. Carrie proves that Halloween doesn’t need to be complicated, it just needs to be terrifying.

Wild Kratts

For those who want to lean into nostalgia, the Wild Kratts are a brilliant option. All you need are a khaki bottoms, a long-sleeve shirt and their paw-print vest. If you don’t have a vest, construction paper “creature power discs” taped to your shirt is perfect! It’s instantly recognizable to anyone who grew up watching PBS Kids. This is a costume that sparks joy without taking itself too seriously, making it perfect for Halloween nights where you want to keep things fun and easy.

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie

This costume is adorable, clever and surprisingly simple. Start with overalls, a white top and mouse ears, then add whiskers with eyeliner. The cookie prop can be real or cardboard. Instantly, you’ve transformed into one of the most beloved children’s book characters ever. Everyone has some connection to the story, and the second you walk in holding that cookie, the recognition is immediate. It’s lighthearted, nostalgic and family-friendly, making it versatile for any Halloween setting. Plus, it’s comfortable—you won’t spend the night wrestling with props or adjusting elaborate pieces. Simple, clever and just the right amount of whimsy.

At its core, Halloween is about fun, not stress. With a little creativity and a few pieces pulled from your closet (or the Target down the street), you can pull together a costume that’s clever, nostalgic, spooky or glamorous. From Ke$ha’s glitter to Carrie’s fake blood, these ideas prove that simplicity can still shine.