Need a last-minute costume? The Rage has your back

How to build a costume using items already in your closet

By Jenna Millikan

It is a dark and stormy night when you hear a knock on your door. You open it and find a last-minute invite to your friend’s Halloween party. Only…dun dun dun, you don’t have a costume!

Never fear! The Rage has you covered with costume ideas you already have hanging in your closet — no frighteningly high prices or hauntingly picked-over costume aisles necessary.

The Classics

Vampires, ghosts and mummies (oh my!). You can never go wrong with the classics.

Wear your favorite all-white fit and pass yourself off as a ghost. Bonus points if you have a long white skirt to give yourself that ethereal floating vibe. Or add some toilet paper and gauze to become a mummy.

If your style leans more gothic, you can throw on your favorite black and red pieces for a vampiric look. To take it to the next level, add two dots on your neck for bite marks and use some fake blood (or red lipstick) to leave a trail down your chin from your last bite.

Combine a flowy top or button-down, some loose pants you can tuck into boots, a scarf tied at the waist, some gold jewelry, and you have yourself a pirate costume. The Rage is not responsible if your friends get annoyed with the pirate accent.

If you need a last-minute duo costume, try Frankenstien’s monster and their bride. This costume gives you a chance to utilize some old formal wear. All you need is a suit (or button-down and tie) and a white dress. Just draw some stitch marks on yourself with eyeliner, and you’re good to go.

Pop Culture

Maybe you want a costume with some name recognition behind it. Drawing from movies, TV shows and online culture is a great source of inspiration. You may even make some new friends with a shared interest.

With 2000s fashion resurfacing, you can put your thrifted finds to good use. Grab your favorite pink items and put together a “Mean Girls” inspired look. Quote some iconic lines, and you're ready.

“Mean Girls” mall scene showcasing some of the best (and pinkest) 2000s fashion. Credit to Paramount Pictures.

If you’re deep into your fall “Gilmore Girls” rewatch, you can stay cozy with Rory’s iconic first episode look with a cozy cable knit and low-rise pair of jeans. Or take inspiration from Lorelei’s school drop-off outfit with a tie-dye t-shirt, jean shorts and some cute boots.

Rory’s iconic first episode outfit. Credit to Warner Bros. Discovery

If you’re more of a ‘90s fashion lover, lean into the spooky vibes with a “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” outfit. Think A-line skirts, tall boots, or a mini dress. Bonus points if you have a stake and a cross necklace.

“Buffy the Vampire Slayer” in a black mini dress with boots. Credit to 20th Century Fox

If you want something more modern, try to recreate one of the looks from “Euphoria” and its iconic glittery makeup looks. Or utilize your work apron and a white t-shirt to pretend you're making sandwiches in “The Bear.”

Jeremy Allen White in the iconic blue apron from “The Bear.” Credit to FX Productions.

If you’re looking for a duo costume, capitalize off the hype for the “Wicked” movie with a Glinda and Elphaba costume. One wears all-pink (bonus points for puffy sleeves). The other goes with a sleeker black outfit and a green makeup look that lets you use the colors in the eyeshadow pallet you never touch.

Elphaba and Glinda in the new “Wicked” movie. Credit to Universal Pictures

Celebrity look alike

Want an excuse to dress up as your fave? Here are some celebrities with iconic looks you may already own.

For fans of Americana fashion, flower crowns and a bold red lip, Lana Del Rey may be the perfect artist for a closet costume. Whether you go for one of her flowy dresses or a simple white T-shirt and jeans, you’re sure to look frighteningly good.

Lana Del Rey in a white top with red lipstick and a flower crown. Credit to Polydore

Have your old prom dress collecting dust in the back of your closet? Raise it from the dead with a take on Chappell Roan’s “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess” album cover. If you’re up for some arts and crafts, you can create a sash with white fabric and pens (or glitter glue if you have it).

Cover of Chappell Roan’s album “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess.” Credit to Chappell Roan and Ryan Clemens

Do you have a white tank top, light-wash jeans and a black belt? You’ve got a Freddie Mercury costume. Use eyeliner to draw on his iconic stash.

Freddie Mercury, lead singer of the band Queen, performing in a white tank top and jeans. Credit to Phil Dent/Redferns

If you didn’t see anything on this list that spoke to you, try taking a peek on social media or re-wearing an old costume. Whatever your Halloween plans are, do it in style.