40 Cheap Halloween Costumes for 2026 That You Can Make in a Pinch

1Regina George from Mean GirlsNeed something immediately recognizable and cheap? Look no further than Regina George's trend-setting boob-cut-out top. Just take a tank top, cut out circles on the chest and wear a brightly colored bra (preferably purple, but you can work with what you got!) Just don't be surprised if next Halloween all the girls are doing the same thing.SHOP TANK TOP2ChallengersFull disclosure: if you want to splurge on the actual "I Told Ya" shirt worn by Zendaya's character in Challengers, that's going to cost you $330. However, you can easily make your own with a blank t-shirt and some sticker or iron-on letters!SHOP IRON-ON LETTERSAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below3Squid GameSure, Squid Game had its Halloween peak in 2021, but that just means you'll have a better chance of standing out in the crowd this October 31st! Green tracksuits aren't always the cheapest, but you can find some that are pretty reasonably priced and wear again as loungewear or pajamas. Think of it less as a costume and more as an investment.SHOP TRACKSUIT4Wednesday AddamsAll you need to channel Wednesday Addams: a black dress (preferably with a sharp collar that you can also DIY), dark hair (or a black wig) worn in two braids, dark nail polish, and a big ole scowl.SHOP DRESSAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below5Confessions of a Teenage Drama QueenDisney's Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen is one of the most iconic movies of the early aughts. DIY a Coca-Cola necklace with some bottle caps and pull out your old fishnets.SHOP FISHNET TOP6The Princess DiariesYou probably saw everyone on Halloween last year channeling Hailey Bieber à la The Princess Diaries, but that's because it's literally the easiest, quickest costume ever. Grab some '90s sunnies, headphones, a tiara, and a lil white dress—most of which you probably already have in your closet.SHOP TIARAAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below7Captain UnderpantsThis costume might only consist of a pair of boxer briefs and a cape, but anyone who was a fan of Captain Underpants would get it right away. Don't have a red cape? Use a red blanket or towel instead.SHOP CAPE8Elvira Hancock from ScarfaceIdk what's more iconic, Michelle Pfeiffer in Scarface or Olivia Rodrigo channeling Michelle Pfeiffer in Scarface. Any blue dress will work, but you'll def need a short blonde wig with bangs to pull it all together. SHOP WIGAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below9Barbie2016 Beyoncé was ahead of the game. What makes a Barbie costume so great is that there are literally so many options to choose from. Running late? Head-to-toe pink (that's most likely already in your closet) will do the trick.SHOP BARBIE DRESS10RuPaulWinnie Harlow as RuPaul is *chef's kiss*. You'll absolutely need a platinum blonde wig, but the real secret to getting this costume right is to perfect RuPaul's fabulous drag makeup. SHOP WIGAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below11Black SwanLooking for a costume for you and your BFF? Natalie Portman's Black Swan gives you a two-for-one-deal. Really, the only thing you need to buy is a black or white tutu, then use a simple black or white bodysuit to tie together the rest of the costume.SHOP TUTU12Alexis Rose from Schitt's CreekDressing up as Alexis Rose is easy—statement gold jewelry, floppy hats, and a boho-esque dress'll do it. Oh, and don't forget to always be texting and hollering for "David!!"SHOP DRESSAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below13Napoleon DynamiteIMO, Napoleon Dynamite and Pedro Sánchez are the most iconic duo there is, and this BFF costume is super easy to recreate. For Pedro, draw on some mustache whiskers and wear a button-up shirt with a bolo tie. For Napoleon, the classic glasses, curly wig, and "Vote for Pedro" shirt will do the trick.SHOP "VOTE FOR PEDRO" T-SHIRT14Carrie Bradshaw 2.0You could always don a tulle skirt to channel Carrie's OG Sex and The City look, but the most lol-worthy moment from the sequel series can come together in a snap: blue cardigan, long gingham dress, rubber gloves, and handkerchief around the face. You probably already have the big sunglasses, tbh.SHOP GLOVESAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below15Anna WintourAnything tweed will work for an Anna Wintour costume. But the most important part: big sunglasses, a blunt bob wig, and a thoroughly unimpressed facial expression.SHOP SUNGLASSES16Amanda Seyfried as Elizabeth HolmesYou can always go in the all-black, red lipstick look that Holmes was known for. But if you wanna pull off a more subtle reference, pick one of the early college outfits Amanda's rocking in The Dropout (hello, '90s rust-colored sweater and striped Oxford!) and then practice randomly lowering your voice while you pitch your big "idea."SHOP SWEATERAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below17Sandy from GreaseAn all-black 'fit with red shoes and lipstick makes this such an easy costume (and a lovely tribute to the late Olivia Newton-John). But curl your hair and don't forget about the leather jacket, of course. SHOP FAUX LEATHER JACKET18A GothWear all black everything (even lipstick) to pull off this costume. Statement jewelry, fishnet tights, and heavy eyeliner are key. SHOP BLACK EYELINERAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below19Little WomenCottagecore has been a trend for a few years now, so all you'll need for this is that nap or prairie dress you already have in your closet. Add a straw hat and lace-up shoes, and you'll look like you could pen a novel. This also works as a fun group costume too!SHOP STRAW HAT20Little Red Riding HoodConversely, wear all red pleather and don a cape to seem like you came straight out of this classic tale. A picnic basket for grandma helps seal the deal. SHOP RED CLOAK Olivia Truffaut-Wong is an editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers beauty, entertainment, and lifestyle. She loves finding and testing the best skincare products to recommend, like the best tinted sunscreens, and is always researching the best cat accessories for her fur baby. She has over 10 years of experience as an entertainment and culture writer and editor, and her work has been featured in The Cut, Refinery29, Teen Vogue, Polygon, Bustle, and more. Siena Gagliano is the associate editor at Cosmopolitan, where she primarily covers beauty, fashion, travel, and lifestyle. Wanna know how to get the best brows of your life? gotchu. What about how to find the best fashion deals of the season, the softest sheets on the market, or exactly how to use retinol without irritating your skin? Check, check, and check. Before joining Cosmopolitan, Siena was a writer at Bustle and several other media outlets. As her 2024 goal, she has vowed to find the best (extra) dirty martini NYC has to offer—and yes, that means ~attempting~ to try every cute cocktail spot in the city (hit her up with some recs, pls). Follow Siena on Instagram for a behind-the-scenes look at that magazine life.