Coming up with a Halloween costume is one of my favorite parts of the season.
I always prefer picking a costume I’ve put together over a complete store-bought look. There’s just something satisfying about knowing you created a head-to-toe Halloween costume. Buying costumes online is always hit-and-miss. I know long-term browsing for the perfect one might be difficult in stores this year and trying them on is likely not an option. Instead, why not create a costume from your closet? Here’s how I do it.
How to Create a Costume From Your Closet

Pick a Character or Halloween Icon
Sometimes pulling a costume out of your closet is easiest if you’re starting with a character from a TV show, book, or movie that you love or even a Halloween icon, like a witch, rather than trying to make something up. Decide who or what you want to be to get started.
Get the Key Detail Right
Louise from “Bob’s Burgers” wouldn’t be Louise without her pink bunny ears. Coraline wouldn’t be Coraline without her yellow raincoat. Pay attention to the character’s key detail and worry about getting THAT right above all else.

Don’t Worry About Being “Screen Perfect”
Most people aren’t looking for a costume to be “screen perfect”, i.e. an exact match to what you see on film or see in an image of a character. Maybe your tube socks aren’t the same color as Eleven from “Stranger Things” – that’s okay. The right item, even if it isn’t an exact match, is enough for a closet costume.
Go in the Opposite Direction
Instead of worrying about being screen perfect, take the character and up-end them completely. Do a gender bender costume (like my Hopper look!). Do a dark take on a hero. Do a friendlier take on a villain.

Use What You Have On-Hand
Need a prop or detail for your character that isn’t in your closet? Look around the house for materials you can use to make it. You’d be amazed at what you can turn a cardboard box into with a bit of creativity!
Improvise
When all else fails, make it up and have fun with it!
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What costume can you create from your closet?
Let me know in the comments. Or, better yet, share a photo with me on social media!
Looking for costume ideas? See my Costumes in my Closet series or browse the costume archives for ideas to get started.
Happy haunting,




