When I was young, we didn’t have the money to buy our Halloween costumes, so we used our imaginations and made our own homemade Halloween costumes.
This was lots of fun for my sister and I.
We would begin thinking up ideas in mid-September and then gather the supplies for the Halloween costumes that we chose. We worked on these after school and on weekends until they were perfect.
If you, too, want to make your own Halloween costumes that won’t break the bank, then you’re going to love the ones we’ve picked out!
Following are some cheap Halloween costume ideas that will work for adults and children alike…
I hope you enjoy these 3 DIY Halloween costumes that are economical and fun to make.
Plus, we’ve provided lots of other homemade costume ideas for you to consider.
#1 – Hobo Halloween Costume
Being a hobo is always fun. I loved this costume when I was young and used it several years, always adding a new twist each year. Here are detailed instructions on how to make a hobo clown costume.
Supplies needed for a Hobo Halloween Costume:
- Long-sleeved flannel shirt, size large or extra large
- Overalls with suspenders that are well worn. Holes are a bonus.
- Straw hat
- Old broom stick
- Bandanna
- Fabric remnants
- Needle and thread or sewing machine
- Glow sticks, if desired
- Rubber boats or old shoes with holes
How To Make A Hobo Costume:
- Use scissors to make holes in elbows, knees of clothing.
- Fray around edges of holes and also around collars, cuffs and pant hems.
- Using the fabric remnants, place on clothing to look like it has been patched.
- Stuff bandanna with fabric remnants and tie with knot.
- Fasten stuffed bandanna to broom stick, using the needle and thread.
- Pull some of the straw loose from the straw hat to make it look beat up and well worn. The more tattered looking, the better.
TIP: You can use any old clothing you already have on hand. Or, pick up used clothing or fabric remnants at thrift stores and yard sales.
Another homemade Hobo Halloween costume, plus lots of Hobo costumes for adults and kids that you can buy.
#2 – Gypsy Halloween Costume
This is another costume that I wore a lot. It was always fun to pretend to be a gypsy traveling across the country.
Supplies needed for a Gypsy Halloween Costume:
- Long floral skirt
- Blouse with puffed sleeves
- Large, hoop earrings
- Bandanna
- Sandals
- Shawl
- Glitter hairspray
- Long strings of beads, bangles and bracelets
- Miniature bells
- Ribbons that are color coordinated to your costume
How To Make A Gypsy Costume:
- Fasten miniature bells to ribbon.
- Sew ribbon with bells onto the waistband of your floral skirt.
- Attach some long strings of beads to the waistband of skirt on the opposite side from the bells.
- Apply glitter hairspray to sandals. Allow to dry. Give several coats using this method. An alternative method is to apply glue to the sandals and sprinkle in glitter.
- On Halloween night dress in your gypsy costume
- If you have long hair, curl it with a curling iron and spray with glitter hairspray; allow to dry well.
- Insert large hooped earrings in ears.
- Tie bandanna over your hair.
- Put on shawl & have fun.
TIP: Long floral skirts, bandannas, bracelets, beads and bangles can all be purchased at thrift stores, yard sales, and even at department stores on sale.
#3 – Mother Nature Halloween Costume
Another favorite. If I had to go out as an adult, I would definitely go as Mother Nature. This costume is beautiful and it represents all 4 seasons.
Supplies needed for a Mother Nature Halloween Costume:
- Long flowing dress in a neutral color. Beige, ivory or white works well
- Face paint or makeup
- Small branches and twigs from your yard or the neighborhood park
- Artificial ivy garland
- Artifical flower garland
- Artificial autumn leaf garland
- Artificial snowflake garland
- Artificial miniature birds
- Artificial bird nest
- Single artificial flowers
- Glue gun
- Needle and thread
How To Make A Mother Nature Costume:
- With glue gun attach the bird to the bird’s nest and then attach it to the shoulder of the dress using either glue or thread.
- Use needle and thread to sew single artificial flowers, leaves and small branches or twigs to the dress. Be sure to use lots.
- On Halloween night, dress in the costume.
- If you have long hair, pile it on top of your head and insert artificial flowers. Another option is to make a flower wreath to wear as a crown.
- Drape flower, ivy, flower and snowflake garlands around your neck.
- Apply face paint or makeup, as desired.
TIP: Miniature birds and bird nests can be purchased at craft stores and are very reasonably priced. You can also find birds and bird nests in the Christmas aisle of your local dollar store. Long dresses are available at thrift shops and on sale racks everywhere.
Another homemade Mother Nature Halloween costume (including a Mother Nature Maternity Halloween costume you can make if you’re pregnant), along with lots of Mother Nature costumes for adults and kids that you can buy.
In the end, homemade Halloween costumes are simple to make with items found in your home or gathered from thrift shops and dollar stores.
The best part about making your own Halloween costume is that you will feel a sense of accomplishment when the costume is completed and you will have saved a lot of money over store-bought versions.
Have fun with it! All you need is a few basic supplies and lots of imagination.
Even More Homemade Halloween Costume Ideas
I love writing about almost anything, especially my life experiences. Other favorite things to write are how-tos, household hints, nature and fishing articles, among others.
