Last-Minute Halloween Costumes Using Clothes from Your Closet

The clock is ticking! If you don’t have your Halloween costume yet, you’re probably wondering if it’s even worth the toil and trouble of coming up with something creative. But before you despair, have you considered creating a costume using pieces from your own closet? With a little imagination and some DIY magic, you can make your dreams (or nightmares) come true with quick and easy last minute Halloween costume ideas. Scroll to find thrilling costumes for your chillest Halloween yet!

Group of girls in flowy linen clothes and pointed princess hats

Medieval Princesses

You’re never too old to play princess and this last-minute Halloween costume is the easiest way to pull off a royal look! Dress up in your favorite breezy pieces—think lace and linen—and DIY a pointy princess hat (originally known as a hennin). With a few pieces of construction paper and fabric scraps, you’re ready to rule the Halloween party!

Fairies

She was a fairy (opens in new tab)—and with this last-minute Halloween costume idea, you’ll be a fairy, too! With florals, crop tops, fishnets and lots of layers, you can pull off this ethereal costume idea with pieces from your own closet. Just add wings!

Buffalo Employee in floral skirt and fairy wings, hands covering mouth.

Buffalo Employee wearing assorted fabrics and fairy wings

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Green tees and pants are all you need to get started with this last-minute Halloween costume. With a few solid-color bandanas and DIY half-shells made from cardboard and crafting supplies, your bffs are ready transform into this classic crimefighting crew, no mutation necessary.

Group of Buffalo employees wearing fake turtle shells on their backs and posing next to a spooky sandwich board

Four Buffalo Employees wearing denim, flannel and cowboy hats

Wild Wild West

Don’t let your babies grow up to be cowboys (opens in new tab) —but we’ll make an exception for Halloween. To create this last-minute Halloween costume, grab your favorite denim pieces (plus a flannel shirt if you have it), and add a few western accessories like hats, boots and statement belts. Yeehaw!

Buffalo Employee in white t-shirt, leather vest, jeans and a cowboy hat with toothpick in their mouth

Mannequin in white dress with Prom Queen sash

Carrie

Have an old prom dress hanging in your closet? It doesn’t take a telepath to read where we’re going with this:(opens in new tab) add a prom queen sash and a little red tinsel (in place of messy faux blood) for a fiery last minute Halloween costume!

Witches

Have a monochromatic closet? You’ll love this next last-minute Halloween costume idea. Effortlessly chic and wickedly stylish, witches are classic in the canon of Halloween costumes. Fly solo or summon your friends to dress up as the coolest coven around!

Group of people in all black witch outfits posing next to Buffalo Exchange sandwich board

Buffalo Employee in witch hat with leather corset and skirt

Buffalo Employee in pinstripe blazer with severed hand on shoulder

Gomez Addams

Oh, snap: (opens in new tab) we gotta hand it to Buffalo Exchange Brooklyn-Boerum Hill for this brilliant last-minute Halloween costume. With a pinstriped blazer (and a faux severed hand perched on your shoulder), you could become the patriarch of the creepy and kooky Addams Family.

Ladybugs

Bugging out over what to be this Halloween? A ladybug could be the last-minute Halloween costume for you! Dig through your closet for polka-dot pieces, or DIY with black spots on a red dress or tee. Finish the look with antennae and oversized sunglasses for an un-beetle-ble costume!

Two Buffalo Employees in polka dots with bug antennae crouching in grassy area.

Two Buffalo Employees in polka dots with antennae, posing outside the store.

Buffalo Employee dressed in yellow raincoat with blue hair standing outside of a victorian house.

Coraline

She’s as cute as a button (opens in new tab) and here to save your Halloween: a yellow jacket and electric blue wig are all you need to recreate Coraline’s iconic look for a last minute Halloween costume! Just don’t go exploring any mysterious tunnels.

Have all the basics and just missing the magic ingredients to bring these spellbinding last-minute Halloween costumes to life? Find what you need (and much more) at Buffalo Exchange. Our selection is so good, it’s scary: shop vintage, one-of-a-kind costume pieces, accessories and everything else you need all under one roof. Plus, get more BOO! for your budget by bringing in your closet cleanout: the extra clothes creeping in your closet could become cash or trade to spend on your frightful new finds!

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