Shop Storage: Halloween Costumes from Your Closet (and Storage Unit)

October is almost here, which means ghouls and goblins of all ages will be ransacking the aisles, filling online carts, and – near and dear to our own hearts – pulling Halloween costumes from closets, attics, and storage units. But Halloween isn’t the only time of year we get to play dress up anymore. Concerts, cons, and even cinemas are bringing out people’s fun and creative sides – and giving new life to old lewks.

We’re big fans of reusing and repurposing items from past eras to create everything from cheap kids’ costumes to Barbie movie cosplay classics to Taylor Swift Speak Now outfits. Keep reading for costume inspiration and ideas that are as friendly to your wallet as they are to the earth. 

Easy Costumes From Your Closet or Storage Space

On a budget? No need wasting money on items for a single evening’s fun when you’ve likely got a lot of what you already need in your storage unit or at home. If you’re in need of some creative inspo, keep scrolling to see ideas for easy costumes from your closet or storage space that the storage queens have dreamed up for your next get together…

1. 90’s Grunge Band Aesthetic
2. Taylor Swift Speak Now or Folk Lore Outfits
3. Barbie and Ken Costumes
4. Yearbook Version of You
5. Classic Cinema Costumes

Bonus: Cheap Kids’ Costumes

1. 90’s Grunge Band Aesthetic

This one is about as easy – and comfortable – as it gets. Pull out an old t-shirt, flannel button-up, Doc Martens, ripped jeans and black tights or leggings to wear underneath them and you’ll be rocking out in no time. While we can’t guarantee it’ll smell like teen spirit, your costume will certainly draw praise and admiration from everyone who was there to witness the decade – and those who only wish we were.

2. Taylor Swift Speak Now or Folklore Outfits

Don’t come after us, Swifties! We know there are more albums – and outfits – than just Speak Now and Folklore, but as far as shopping storage goes, these are the two that will probably be easiest to pull together – and let you reuse pieces you don’t get to wear frequently. For Speak Now fans, grab an old prom or bridesmaid dress, a faux fur jacket, black leather boots, and anything and everything sequined to hit the town. OR lean into the country look with a lacy white dress and banjo. As far as Folklore outfits are concerned, you can’t go wrong with anything cottage-core or fairy-core. Try a maxi linen dress and cream cardigan with delicate jewelry and either heeled sandals or Doc Martens for an instant showstopper.

3. Barbie and Ken Costumes

Nothing is more on trend than Barbie movie outfits, which is great news for anyone who saved their fluorescent apparel, spandex leotards, fanny packs, visors, and rollerblades from the ‘80s or ‘90s. Other items to pull out of storage for the ultimate Barbie and Ken look include old pink sweaters, fancy neckerchiefs, tight denim, and sparkly accessories. There are so many Barbie and Ken Halloween costume ideas to choose from that you could even incorporate outfit swaps into Halloween party plans. Maybe sporty Barbie & Ken for the first look and dance party Barbie and Ken for afterhours? As they say in the movie, “That’s life. It’s all change.” When it comes to Barbie outfit ideas, we couldn’t agree more.

4. Yearbook Version of You

Dressing up as yourself from another era is definitely one of the easiest and cheapest ways to pull off a completely original look. Old sweaters, turtlenecks (or…gasp…turtleneck sweaters), butterfly clips, a flute case, and/or glasses and you’ve got yourself a past version of you to be reckoned with. If you played sports, a letter jacket or jersey, sports gear, and tennis shoes could be your best bet. (Don’t wear cleats – they can wreak havoc on flooring, and provide significantly less traction than normal shoes on slick surfaces.) Reenvision and reclaim those awkward years, and get a chance to wear some of your old faves in the process. Heck, if you went to school in the ‘80s or ‘90s, your ‘fit might even pull double duty as Barbie movie cosplay.

5. Classic Cinema Costumes

Speaking of cosplay, classic cinema costumes are always a hit – and you’ve probably already got the components for a few different choices socked away in storage. Think Rambo, the Terminator, Heathers, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, or Breakfast at Tiffany’s. For the latter, Women’s Day says, “All you need is some black gloves, a pearl necklace, a tiara, and a cigarette holder.” We’d add to that a perfectly coiffed chignon and cat’s eye sunglasses!

If those ideas don’t suit the clothes and items you have in your home or storage space, think about what you do have and go from there. A chainsaw, hard hat, pair of overalls, fancy dress, fur coat: any of these could be the jumping off point for a fantastic (and even fantastically frightening) Halloween costume. Regardless of what size storage unit, closet, or attic you’ve got, we’d be willing to bet you’ve got some treasures waiting in there to be put to use.

Cheap Kids’ Costumes

There are probably about a billion other things you’d rather spend your money on this season than single-use children’s costumes, and we’re right there with you. (Halloween road trip, anyone?!) But for those of us who need to pull together the exact right look to make the holiday a success for their family, we’ve got good news: cheap costumes for kids are very easy to make from pieces you’ve likely already got on hand or in storage. Here are some of our faves:

1. Werewolf

Bust out the flannel shirt, jeans and boots (or any other outfit pieces your child already owns), add a bit of face paint, some fake hair, and maybe a faux blood trickle or two, and you’ve got yourself a mini monster. 

2. Turtle

Use cardboard to create a shell, paint it, and then attach it to an old backpack. Dress your kid in dark gray or brown, add a watch cap, and you’ll be moseying your way to a “best costume” prize in no time.  

3. Jellyfish

Rip up scraps of fabric from old pink or light blue dresses or shirts and attach them to a belt so they flow in the breeze. The rest of the outfit can be very basic to keep the attention on the tendrils. White long johns or pajamas will do the trick.

4. Broccoli

Even if your kid doesn’t love eating veggies, they may love dressing like one. Put them in green clothes and add a bit of green tulle to a headband and voila: broccoli! Pro tip: You can swap out the green shirt and pants with orange for a carrot or red for a tomato. 

5. Ghost

When it comes to cheap kids’ costumes, a ghost has to take the cake. We’re talking everyone’s fave look from Scooby Doo: a white sheet with eye holes to see through. If your kid is on the older side and a fan of the original Halloween movie, you might also add a pair of 1970s glasses for a look made all the spookier by Michael Myers as “Ghost Bob.”

Halloween is a time to have fun and be creative, but it can also be a really wasteful time (think of all those millions of candy wrappers and disposable costumes). Challenge yourself to see if you can come up with a costume or two this year made entirely from things you already own. It’s not only free of cost and good for the environment, you’ll probably end up with the coolest (or at least most unique) costume on the block.