Easy Last Minute Halloween Costumes For Lazy People

31 October 2018, 13:07 | Updated: 31 October 2018, 13:18

Heading off to a spooky party? Doing some trick-or-treating in your neighbourhood? Run out of time, money and inspiration? Here are some cheap ’n’ cheerful ideas for your Halloween costume.

  1. Shaun Of The Dead

    Simon Pegg’s eponymous hero from the 2004 comedy is a surefire winner for the last minute Halloween idea. All you need is:

    - White shirt, with some fake blood liberally splashed over it
    - Red tie (preferably striped)
    - Cricket bat
    - A copy of Brothers In Arms by Dire Straits on vinyl (optional)

    A Comic Con attendee, dressed as Simon Pegg in Shaun Of The Dead
    A Comic Con attendee, dressed as Simon Pegg in Shaun Of The Dead. Picture: Ollie Millington/Getty Images
  2. David Brent from The Office

    Pretty similar to old Shaun, you can get the full sleazy boss from Wernham Hogg effect with a simple outfit:

    - White or light blue shirt
    - Dark patterned tie
    - Suit trousers (or full suit, if you’d rather)
    - Goatee beard

    Although, to make it look less like you’ve just strolled in from work, we suggest you bring along either a) a comedy ostrich outfit or b) a genuine Flat Eric puppet. If you can’t rustle those up last minute, just do “the dance”.

    THE David Brent Dance - The Office - BBC

  3. One Of The White Stripes

    You could do either Jack or Meg White (or both) with the minimum of fuss:

    - Red or white t-shirt
    - Red trousers
    - Black wig if you don’t have black hair
    - The blues (optional)

    The White Stripes in 2001
    The White Stripes in 2001. Picture: Gie Knaeps/Getty Images
  4. The Woman Off Ring

    Her names is actually Sadako and she fell down a well. The Japanese movie was remade in the US in 2002 and the “spooky girl” is now a bit of a cliche in the horror world. All you need is:

    - A white, grubby nightdress
    - A long black wig pulled over your face
    - You could always create your own cardboard TV screen to crawl out of

    Elly Nanami attends the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival premiere of Sadako vs. Kayako
    Elly Nanami attends the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival premiere of Sadako vs. Kayako. Picture: J. Countess/Getty Images
  5. Marty McFly from Back To The Future

    - Blue denim jacket
    - Blue denim jeans
    - Red gilet
    - Take the wheels off an old skateboard and pretend it’s a hoverboard

    Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly in Back To The Future
    Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly in Back To The Future. Picture: Amblin Entertainment/Universal Pictures/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock
  6. A Zombie

    Easy! Ever since Night Of The Living Dead hit cinema screens 50 years ago, the modern zombie is just a regular person all messed up and that. Come in your regular clothes, stick a bit of fake blood around your mouth, darken the old eye sockets and rub talcum powder on your face and into your hair for that bloodless/dusty look. Adopt shambling walk and you’re ready to go.

    Zombies in Night Of The Living Dead, 1968
    Zombies in Night Of The Living Dead, 1968. Picture: Image Ten/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock
  7. Freddie Mercury at Live Aid

    It's topical, thanks to the Bohemian Rhapsody movie in cinemas right now. All you need is:

    - Denim jeans (white or very light blue)
    - White vest
    - White trainers
    - Stick on moustache
    - Half a microphone stand if you can find one

    Freddie Mercury at Live Aid, 13 July 1985
    Freddie Mercury at Live Aid, 13 July 1985. Picture: Jacques Langevin/Sygma/Sygma via Getty Images
  8. John McClane from Die Hard

    - White vest, dirtied up.
    - No shoes or socks
    - Toy gun and holster if you can source one

    Bruce Willis in Die Hard
    Bruce Willis in Die Hard. Picture: 20th Century Fox/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock
  9. A Mummy

    Buy a 12-pack of value toilet roll. You know the rest.

    Kids playing Halloween dress up
    Kids playing Halloween dress up. Picture: Elva Etienne/Getty Images
  10. Wednesday Addams from The Addams Family

    If you have the hair, do the pigtails, unearth a black dress and wear a white shirt underneath it so the collar sticks out. Black eye make up and lipstick isn’t necessary, but can help the overall effect.

    Lisa Loring as Wednesday in The Addams Family, 1966
    Lisa Loring as Wednesday in The Addams Family, 1966. Picture: ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images