How to Pick a Halloween Costume that’s Perfect for You

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The best costume ideas for the spookiest season of them all

Co-authored by Alina Bokovikova and Aly Rusciano

Last Updated: October 24, 2024 Fact Checked

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Deciding on Your Look

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Things to Consider

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Costume Ideas & Inspiration

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Q&A

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Tips

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Warnings

Halloween is quickly approaching, and you have no idea what to wear! Have no fear because we’re here to help. Halloween is a spooky, magical time when you can dress in something that screams you or a completely different persona—that’s the beauty of the season! So, how do you know what costume is right for you and how to pick one? Keep reading to learn how to come up with a costume idea (and if you don’t have an idea after reading, we’ve got plenty of those, too).

How do you pick the right Halloween costume?

Think about your interests and style to pick the right Halloween costume for you! You can dress up as your favorite food or movie character or shop your closet and wear a witchy or fairy look that matches your aesthetic. The possibilities are endless!

Section 1 of 3:

Deciding on Your Look

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1
Determine what type of costume you want to wear based on your style. Ask yourself what you want people to say or think when they see your costume. Do you want them to think you’re sexy, cute, scary, or funny? Knowing this can help you decide what type of costume you want to wear. After all, Halloween is the time of year when you can be yourself or someone entirely different!
- For instance, if you have a bubbly, bright personality and want people to think you’re cute, maybe you could dress up as Glinda the Good Witch from The Wizard of Oz to match your vibe or maybe a devil to be something unlike yourself.
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Style a costume around or against your usual vibe. Take a look inside your closet. Do you usually wear a lot of dark colors or maybe pastels? Going off of or against your core aesthetic can help you find a costume that’s totally you or a step outside your comfort zone.
- For example, if you generally wear dark, edgy colors, you could be a vampire or witch to match your aesthetic. To go against your normal style, you might be a princess, fairy, or deer.
- This is also a great way to shop your closet! If you know you want to amplify your normal style, see what pieces you already have in your wardrobe. Then, try to build a costume off that. For instance, a pink dress could help you be a princess or fairy.^{[1]
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Use inspiration from costumes you once wore. Think back to the styles of costumes you wore in previous years. Are they still something you’d like to wear? Maybe they’re something you could build off of or turn into a different costume.^{[2]
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- Let’s say you still have a superhero costume from a few years ago. Could you use the cape for a witch costume this year? Maybe you could even repurpose the mask or boots and be a villain!
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Find costume inspiration from your favorite movies or activities. Your interests and hobbies can play a big part in choosing the right costume! Make a list of the things you love, like movies, TV shows, artists, sports, or books. Then take a look at your list—is there any character, motif, or thing you’d love to dress up as?
- For example, if you like soccer, dress like your favorite soccer player or a fan of your favorite team. If you love the Marvel Universe, dress up like Iron Man, Captain America, or Black Widow. If your favorite food is Cheetos, dress as a Cheetos’s bag.

Section 2 of 3:

Things to Consider When Picking a Costume

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Budget. Halloween costumes can be cheap or very expensive, so it's important to have an idea of what you’d like to spend. This can help you determine what items you should thrift or make for your costume and what things you can buy new. Just keep in mind that more elaborate costumes require a higher budget, but you can also do incredibly creative things with just $10!
- We recommend budgeting between $20 and $50 for an average full costume and around $10 for a DIY costume or accessories.
- When choosing a costume, consider what’s included in the costume, as some may be better deals than others when add-ons are accounted for. For example, a costume with a shirt, pants, hat, wig, and belt is a good deal if you get the lot for a single price.
- Keep an eye on sales, especially at the end of the season. Before and after Halloween, many retailers or costume shops will have deals on costumes. You may find a great costume for a fraction of the original price!
- Want a free costume? Costume designer Alina Bokovikova recommends shopping your closet or cutting holes in a bedsheet to be a ghost.
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Your schedule. Are you planning on making your Halloween costume? Do you have a lot of spooky events to attend? If so, it’s best to work your costume around your schedule. Think and plan your costume at least a month in advance. This way, you’ll be set for every Halloween activity and won’t have to scramble to find something to wear at the last minute.
- Planning ahead is crucial if you’re making your costume, as thrifting, sewing, or DIYing can take extra time.
- Similarly, try not to buy costumes at the last minute. The closer you get to Halloween, the fewer costumes (and sizes) will be available, which can make it harder to find what you’re looking for.
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Weather. Anything can happen on Halloween, even rain. Consider the typical weather in your area around the Halloween season and plan accordingly. For instance, if it’s typically hot, plan a costume that has shorts or thin, breathable fabric. If it’s usually chilly, accessorize with a cloak, scarf, or jacket.^{[3]
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- Check the weather beforehand, both in the days leading up to Halloween and on the day itself. This can help you make the right choices about what to wear.
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Comfort. What do you plan on doing while in your costume? Maybe you’re going trick-or-treating, attending a party, or lounging at a friend’s house. Whatever the activity may be, it’s important to consider, especially when it comes to accessorizing.
- For example, if you’ll be on your feet all evening, wearing heels may not be wise. Similarly, if you’ll be hanging out with a friend watching scary movies, opt for a costume that’s soft and easy to move in, like a onesie.
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Theme. If you’re headed to a Halloween party or planning a group costume with friends, it’s important to consider what the theme for the evening may be. Plus, this can help you narrow down your costume options!
- For instance, let’s say you’re attending a party with a 90s theme. You might show up as Cher from Clueless, a Spice Girl, or an aerobics instructor.
- If you and your friends set a theme of “Things You Can Eat,” maybe you go as a ice cream, banana, or cookie.
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Audience. When choosing your Halloween costume, consider who will see your outfit and how it’ll be perceived. The last thing you want to do is offend anyone! So, ask yourself, “Is my costume appropriate for who I’ll be hanging out with?” and “Could my costume be offensive to a community and culture?”
- For instance, let’s say you’re going trick-or-treating with your kid cousins. You wouldn’t want to wear a scandalous or sexy costume when you’re around smaller children.
- There are many costumes on the market today that misrepresent specific cultures or are a type of cultural appropriation. These costumes can be perceived as disrespectful if the costume wearer does not belong to the culture associated with the costume. For example, a non-Indigenous person dressing up as an “Indian chief” can be offensive to Indigenous people and their Native American culture.^{[4]
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Section 3 of 3:

Costume Ideas & Inspiration

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Solo Halloween Costume Ideas. Still stuck on costume ideas? Here are some of our favorite Halloween costumes you can wear to a party or while trick-or-treating:^{[5]
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- Classics: witch, ghost, Frankenstein, mummy, angel, fairy, mermaid, werewolf, vampire, princess, devil, pirate
- Animals: Cat, dog, horse, giraffe, kangaroo, mouse, deer, unicorn, lion, bear, fox
- Pop culture: Bob Ross, The Scarlet Witch, The Wicked Witch, Mia from The Princess Diaries, Ted Lasso, Shrek
- Silly: Pickle, hotdog, Mr. Bean, cat lady, loofah, T-rex, Albert Einstein, pinata, sushi, grandma or grandpa
- Sexy: Nurse, police officer, firefighter, Red Riding Hood, maid, skeleton, cowboy or cowgirl, ring master, gangster, flapper
- Scary: Pennywise, Ghostface, Samara, Joker, Chucky, Freddy Krueger, zombie, Grim Reaper
- Cute: Barbie, ladybug, bumblebee, cheerleader, nerd, hippie, fairy, M&M, mime, pumpkin
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Group Halloween Costume Ideas. If you’re trick-or-treating with some friends or family members, one cool way to be unique is to have matching costumes! This is a great way to have fun with your pals and make lasting memories. Here are some group costume ideas to get you started:^{[6]
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- Sesame Street characters
- Crayons of all different colors
- Harry Potter characters
- The Wizard of Oz characters
- The Powerpuff Girls
- Inside Out emotions
- Game of Thrones characters
- Minions
- A League of Their Own players
- The Addams Family
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
- Disney Princesses
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Couple Halloween Costume Ideas. Going out on Halloween with your boo? Coordinate your costumes to be the cutest (or scariest) couple ever! Here are some of our favorite couple Halloween costume ideas:
- Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift^{[7]
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- Gomez and Morticia Addams from The Addams Family
- The Shining twins
- Beetlejuice and Lydia Deetz from Beetlejuice^{[8]
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- Chucky and Tiffany
- Penelope and Colin from Bridgerton
- Princess Peach and Mario
- Tinkerbell and Peter Pan
- Cowboy and Cowgirl
- Mr. and Mrs. Incredible
- Barbie and Ken
- Rain and Sunshine
- Peanut Butter and Jelly
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Pet Halloween Costume Ideas. Who says your furry friend can’t get in on the spooky fun? Try dressing your dog or cat up for Halloween with these adorable costume ideas:^{[9]
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- Mail carrier
- Waldo
- Taco
- Lion
- Witch
- Cowboy
- Hotdog
- Spider
- Skeleton
- Ghostbuster
- Superhero

Community Q&A

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Should I be Alice from Wonderland or Dorothy from Wizard of Oz?

Community Answer

They are both good ideas. Alice seems less common, but you should choose your favorite. You could also go by hair color so you don't have to wear a wig - be Alice if you're blond, be Dorothy if you have dark hair.

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Can I be a character twice if I want to?

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Of course! You can be the same character as many times as you'd like. You'll even save money on costumes.

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Should I be a fox or raccoon?

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If you're elegant, fancy, feminine, or sneaky, choose the fox. They are graceful and tricky. If you're rugged, boyish, thievish, or messy, choose the raccoon. They are rough and tough with a risky lifestyle. If you don't fit into either of the categories, follow your animal instincts!

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Tips

Try dressing kids up in bright colors so they’re easier to spot in a crowd or can easily be located by authorities if you’re separated.

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If you're trying to put a costume together at the last minute, check out this article for costumes you can easily make with items you likely already have.

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Still trying to decide what you want to be for Halloween? Take our “What Should I Be For Halloween?” quiz to find the perfect Halloween costume!

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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

Sometimes you don't even need a full-on costume—you just need to buy one or two things. For example, for a Pikachu costume, you could wear a yellow shirt, black pants, and makeup, so all you need to buy are ears and a tail.
Make sure that your costume accessories are safe and appropriate for factors like weather, the time of day, and your location. For example, be sure to have glowsticks or something of that nature, so drivers can see you.
If you are planning a group costume, be sure to start thinking of ideas a bit early. That way, you and the rest of your group have the time to settle on an idea.
Try merging two costumes together, like a ballerina witch or an astronaut dinosaur.
Try a mascot costume—they are warm and a great choice for every year.

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