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As much as we’re looking forward to Halloween, we also understand that every once in a while, time just slips through your fingers, and you end up on the eve of October 31 without a single clue about what kind of outfit to wear. But panic not, as Yoda would say.

We at Bored Panda put together a killer list of the best last-minute Halloween costume ideas. From the classic ghost to the upside-down man, you should be able to DIY these fun looks with limited resources in just a flash. Or two. Continue scrolling and check them out!

#1

French Kiss, The Best Halloween Costume Idea Ever

French Kiss, The Best Halloween Costume Idea Ever

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The folks at Hubbub highlight that 4 in 10 Halloween costumes are thrown away after only being worn once, and many are made from plastic, so the cost of looking creepy is creeping up. To help folks create a more sustainable costume, they offer these DIY dress-up ideas that can save not only money and time but also help the planet:

1. Iconic costumes from everyday clothes. Real-life figures like the Spice Girls, David Attenborough, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, or fictional ones like Rosie the Riveter or Paddington Bear have looks that are instantly recognizable but can also be assembled from what's already in your wardrobe, so start by "cataloging" what you already have. Maybe your next Halloween costume is already laying in your wardrobe.

2. Are there any old outfits haunting the back of your cupboard from many moons ago? If single-use clothing and its associated packaging gives you the shivers, try to see if you can find an old costume and bring back the ghost of Halloween past.

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3. Top of the props. If you don't like the costume you end up with because it looks a bit too flat, fashion it with freaky accessories from leftover cardboard or paper you already have. Swords, ears, hats, and wings can all be cut from cereal boxes and painted or covered with fabric, and there are lots of tutorials online that can teach you how.

4. Paint yourself scary. You can pick up non-toxic, cruelty-free body paint for quite cheap from most fancy-dress shops and transform into an orc or some other beast super fast.

Now go kill it!

#8

The Black Eyed Peas

The Black Eyed Peas

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#10

“Yes, I Have Seen The Memes.” Sometimes I Convince People I Am Normal, And Then I Do Things Such As This

“Yes, I Have Seen The Memes.” Sometimes I Convince People I Am Normal, And Then I Do Things Such As This

kazthequeenofglitter Report

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Mad Dragon
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have the crochet version of this sitting on my mantle in the living room.

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#12

When You Have No Halloween Costume, Search For A Couple Bins And A Lot Of Duct Tape Last Minute

When You Have No Halloween Costume, Search For A Couple Bins And A Lot Of Duct Tape Last Minute

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#14

My Last Minute Halloween Costume, Ghosting

My Last Minute Halloween Costume, Ghosting

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#15

Trick Or Treat - These 3 Lads Showed Up. Absolutely Terrifying

Trick Or Treat - These 3 Lads Showed Up. Absolutely Terrifying

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#18

Need To Go To A Batman Themed Dress-Up Party On A Budget? Go As His Parents. Cost: 2 Sheets Of Paper

Need To Go To A Batman Themed Dress-Up Party On A Budget? Go As His Parents. Cost: 2 Sheets Of Paper

Monsieur_Flotini Report

#19

My Last Minute Take On A One Night Stand Costume

My Last Minute Take On A One Night Stand Costume

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#21

Nickelback

Nickelback

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#23

It Was Kind Of Last Minute, But For Halloween I Made A Stuffed Hobbes To Go With My Costume

It Was Kind Of Last Minute, But For Halloween I Made A Stuffed Hobbes To Go With My Costume

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#24

Brawny Guy

Brawny Guy

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Amy Dodds
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He could have dressed up as jake gyllenhall and I wouldn't have looked twice

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#26

Husband And I Decided To Do Halloween Last Minute. Not Bad For A Couple Of Hours And >$20

Husband And I Decided To Do Halloween Last Minute. Not Bad For A Couple Of Hours And >$20

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#27

Best Last Minute Halloween Costume I've Ever Made

Best Last Minute Halloween Costume I've Ever Made

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Auntriarch
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Last minute? I'd like to see what she can do when she has plenty of time

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#28

My Friend's Last Minute Halloween Costume

My Friend's Last Minute Halloween Costume

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#29

My Friend And I Put Together This Last Minute Costume Combo For A Party

My Friend And I Put Together This Last Minute Costume Combo For A Party

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#30

King Of Last Minute Costumes, My Friend As The Bastard Sea That Took Wilson

King Of Last Minute Costumes, My Friend As The Bastard Sea That Took Wilson

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#34

Shape Of Water But The Budget Is $4

Shape Of Water But The Budget Is $4

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#35

Yeah, It Was Pretty Last Minute

Yeah, It Was Pretty Last Minute

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#36

Florida Man Makes Last Minute Halloween Costume

Florida Man Makes Last Minute Halloween Costume

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#37

My Last Minute Costume Was A Success! Who Doesn't Love Indy?

My Last Minute Costume Was A Success! Who Doesn't Love Indy?

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#38

Last Minute Hermione Granger Costume, Since I Already Happen To Have The Hair And Props And All

Last Minute Hermione Granger Costume, Since I Already Happen To Have The Hair And Props And All

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#40

Here's My Coworker And I In Our Very Last-Minute Halloween Costumes

Here's My Coworker And I In Our Very Last-Minute Halloween Costumes

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#41

Our Lockdown Zoom Party Costumes (Last Minute Idea)

Our Lockdown Zoom Party Costumes (Last Minute Idea)

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#42

My Last Minute Halloween Costume “Cardigan Bee” Aka Cardi B

My Last Minute Halloween Costume “Cardigan Bee” Aka Cardi B

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#43

2020 Is For Lazy Halloween Costumes

2020 Is For Lazy Halloween Costumes

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#44

The Upside-Down Man

The Upside-Down Man

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#45

I Won’t Lie I Didn’t Try Hard With This Costume. Happy Belated Halloween Everyone

I Won’t Lie I Didn’t Try Hard With This Costume. Happy Belated Halloween Everyone

cup.of.ricoco Report

#46

I’m Always A Fan Of An Easy Costume, Hopefully It Works

I’m Always A Fan Of An Easy Costume, Hopefully It Works

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#48

Paint Some Wire And Print Out A Logo

Paint Some Wire And Print Out A Logo

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#50

But Of A Last-Minute Costume This Year- Jawa Without The Black Gloves

But Of A Last-Minute Costume This Year- Jawa Without The Black Gloves

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#51

Low Effort Last Minute Costume. Never Forget

Low Effort Last Minute Costume. Never Forget

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#52

My Last-Minute Halloween Costume Is The Most Terrifying I've Ever Worn

My Last-Minute Halloween Costume Is The Most Terrifying I've Ever Worn

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#53

My Brother Put This Outfit Together Last Minute For A Halloween Party A Few Years Ago. It Still Kills Me Every Time I See It

My Brother Put This Outfit Together Last Minute For A Halloween Party A Few Years Ago. It Still Kills Me Every Time I See It

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#54

So This Was My Buddies Last Minute Halloween Costume For A Party Last Night

So This Was My Buddies Last Minute Halloween Costume For A Party Last Night

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#55

My Original Costume Broke So I Had To Make A New One At The Last Minute

My Original Costume Broke So I Had To Make A New One At The Last Minute

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#56

My Last Minute Early Halloween Party Costume. Cheap, Quick, Easy, Dignified

My Last Minute Early Halloween Party Costume. Cheap, Quick, Easy, Dignified

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#58

Aaaahhh, The Anual Last Minute Stress Costume

Aaaahhh, The Anual Last Minute Stress Costume

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#59

White Trash Halloween Costume

White Trash Halloween Costume

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#60

Last Year's Last Minute "Dark Elf"

Last Year's Last Minute "Dark Elf"

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#61

I Decided To Do A Last Minute Costume, And I Only Had A Paper Bag Laying Around To Work With

I Decided To Do A Last Minute Costume, And I Only Had A Paper Bag Laying Around To Work With

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#62

Identity Thief. Last Minute Costume

Identity Thief. Last Minute Costume

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Otter
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Brilliant! And all it took was one thing at the dollar store!

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#63

Low Budget Costume That Fits My Body Type. Practically Nailed It

Low Budget Costume That Fits My Body Type. Practically Nailed It

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#64

Last Minute Lady Liberty, When You Have The Perfect Color Sheets

Last Minute Lady Liberty, When You Have The Perfect Color Sheets

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Andy Acceber
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I once went as the Statue of Liberty. I dyed my hair with Kool-Aid. It was green for a week! And very much against my school's dress code.

#65

I Threw Together A Last-Minute Morticia Addams, Or As One Person Asked, "A Gothic Lady From Wheel Of Fortune". Vanna Black It Is

I Threw Together A Last-Minute Morticia Addams, Or As One Person Asked, "A Gothic Lady From Wheel Of Fortune". Vanna Black It Is

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#67

So I Decided Last Minute To Put This Together

So I Decided Last Minute To Put This Together

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#68

Oooohwee! My Last Minute Costume From Saturday Sure Did Swell ($5 Of Fabric, Cardboard, Duct Tape And Hope)

Oooohwee! My Last Minute Costume From Saturday Sure Did Swell ($5 Of Fabric, Cardboard, Duct Tape And Hope)

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#69

Last Minute RHPS Group. Probably Less Than $100 For All. Conception To Completion= 24 Hours

Last Minute RHPS Group. Probably Less Than $100 For All. Conception To Completion= 24 Hours

DescendingAngel Report

#70

I Agree With The Awesomeness Of Pun Costumes: Pothead Serial Killer

I Agree With The Awesomeness Of Pun Costumes: Pothead Serial Killer

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Andy Acceber
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I assume most potheads are too stoned to be interested in becoming serial killers.

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#71

Thought You Guys Would Appreciate My Halloween Costume! Very Last Minute But My Favourite So Far

Thought You Guys Would Appreciate My Halloween Costume! Very Last Minute But My Favourite So Far

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#73

Contestants On Supermarket Sweep

Contestants On Supermarket Sweep

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Sarah
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Next time you’re at the checkout and you hear the beep… think of the fun you could be having on Supermarket Sweep!

#74

Very Last Minute DIY "2020" Halloween Costume For Under $10

Very Last Minute DIY "2020" Halloween Costume For Under $10

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#75

Last Minute Costume

Last Minute Costume

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#76

My Last Minute Costume Was Every Magic Player's Worst Nightmare

My Last Minute Costume Was Every Magic Player's Worst Nightmare

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tail_bite
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

NO GOD PLS NO, NOOO i have suffered the pain of playing agaisnt this

#77

Had To Make A Last Minute Update To My Michael Costume

Had To Make A Last Minute Update To My Michael Costume

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Andy Acceber
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If anyone doesn't know, actor Ted Danson was arrested at a climate crisis protest. He's a good guy.

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#78

Scranton Strangler - A Great Last Minute Work Costume

Scranton Strangler - A Great Last Minute Work Costume

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#80

Me And My Boyfriends Halloween Costume, Better Late Than Never I Guess

Me And My Boyfriends Halloween Costume, Better Late Than Never I Guess

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#82

My Wife Let Me Use Her Hair Extensions And Maternity Shirt For My Last Minute Halloween Costume

My Wife Let Me Use Her Hair Extensions And Maternity Shirt For My Last Minute Halloween Costume

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#84

Stop! Hammer Time

Stop! Hammer Time

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