Creative and Fun Halloween Costumes for Adults
With Halloween rapidly approaching, you may have already figured out what the kids are wearing. But what about Halloween costumes for adults? Whether you’re the designated adult who goes door-to-door with a toddler dressed as Spider-man or the one who answers the ringing doorbell, we’ve got some ideas so you can be decked out, too!
Where to Buy Halloween Costumes for Adults
You can find adult-sized costumes at any of the typical Halloween superstores like Spirit Halloween or Party City. You can also find lots of second-hand costumes and accessories at thrift stores around this time of year. Or, if you’re feeling creative and have plenty of time, try to piece together your own costume from what you have at home or items you find at a thrift store! Outfits like this will end up being much more high-quality, and you’ll probably be able to re-use them year after year.
Halloween Costumes for Adults
Don’t be the guy who shows up in the t-shirt that says, “This is my costume.” Oct 31 is about creativity, theatrics, and fun! But whether you dress as Ghostbusters or choose an obscure character cosplay from one of your favorite fandoms (looking at you, Star Wars people), dressing in Halloween costumes as an adult can be a lot harder than when you’re a kid. Halloween-themed stores are usually aimed toward a younger audience. But that doesn’t mean that you have to be left out of all the fun! Fortunately, we’ve got some costume ideas for adults so you can rock the perfect outfit, no matter what the occasion!
The Mandalorian
This series was one of the most-watched on television, with millions tuning in to find out how this bounty hunter would save the “Grogu” or how we formerly dubbed him “Baby Yoda.” Channel your inner mysteriousness with this identity-concealing costume. Don’t worry, it’s not real Beskar armor, however cool that would have been.
Your Favorite Batman Villain
The Batman comics have been popular for decades, but true fans know all about the campy villains! With the proper outfit, makeup, and accessories, there’s no way Batman will stop you from destroying Gotham! Whether it’s The Joker, Poison Ivy, the Penguin, or the Riddler, you’re sure to impress everyone.
Costumes for Adults Who Are Young at Heart: Cartoon Characters
What were your favorite cartoon characters when you were a kid? Some of our favorites include Kim Possible (or Ron Stoppable), Arthur, a Member of the Scooby-Doo Gang, Daria, or Spinelli! We all had a TV show that we looked forward to on Saturday mornings. Channel your inner child and re-create the look!
Beth Harmon From “The Queen’s Gambit”
This chess-centric miniseries had lots of people hooked. But more mesmerizing was the striking character of Beth Harmon, played by Anya Taylor-Joy. Channel your inner grandmaster with a 60’s inspired minidress, a copper wig with a sharp bob and bangs, and you’re on your way to a winning costume! Checkmate!
Classic Disney Villains
My friends and I did this in college (as seen above). The best part is that you can include both guys and girls, and everyone can pick their favorite villain (or, even better, one that matches their personality). Whether you go as Captain Hook, Cruella DeVil, Jafar, Maleficent, Scar, or the Red Queen, everyone will love the throwback to their favorite childhood movies.
The Flintstones
Do you and your spouse or significant other have another couple who are your best friends? This may be the perfect opportunity to re-create this iconic foursome from the old TV show. For Fred Flintstone, you’ll need an orange tunic and a blue neck scarf. For Wilma Flintstone, his wife, you’ll need a short, white, one-shoulder dress and a string of white oversized pearls. You may want to opt for the bright red wig with a bun, too. For Barney Rubble, you’ll need a brown tunic. For his wife, Betty, you’ll need a blue halter dress, dark hair, and a cute little blue bow.
Fortnite Characters
If you have kids who play video games, you probably know about Fortnite. You may even play it yourself! In this adventure game known for wild characters, explore a vast, destructible world as you and other players team up to hold back hordes of monsters. Oh yeah, and you can also dance. Grab a group of friends, dress up as your favorite Fortnite characters, and choreograph the perfect dance for your Halloween party.
Costumes for Adults in a Big Friend Group: MarioKart Racers
If you grew up playing MarioKart, or still play it now, you’ll know that it’s one of the most fun ways to spend time as a family or group of friends. Even though the competition can get heated. Grab some friends and dress up like the iconic racers, including Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Princess Daisy, Yoshi, Bowser, Toad, Toadette, Donkey Kong, Yoshi, Wario, and Waluigi. Bonus points if you make your own cardboard cars to go along with your costumes!
Couples and Duos Halloween Costumes for Adults
Black-and-White Film Stars
Whether you go the 1920’s silent film flapper route or the dramatic and romantic 1940s, use white powder and dark, smokey makeup, and head-to-toe sepia/gray tones to create a unique and unforgettable DIY Halloween costume for couples!
Bridgerton
This steamy period romance TV show debuted on Netflix in 2021. It has viewers waiting eagerly for a second season. The show centers around the Bridgerton family as they search for spouses, and most importantly, love. To emulate the spirit of Bridgerton, dress in Regency-era clothing. For Daphne, wear your hair in stylish curly updos with feathers and ribbon headbands. For the Duke, you’ll want a white shirt with a cravat, a waistcoat with tails, and britches with boots. If you’re unable to acquire a “waistcoat,” a white puffy shirt, white cravat, slim-fitting pants, and brown boots will do. This is an adult costume that will have everyone dying for the second season to come out.
Wanda and Vision
In Disney’s Marvel spinoff WandaVision, we’ve seen Wanda and Vision travel through decades of classic TV sitcom styles. Try the Wanda and Vision outfits they wear in the Halloween episode (a costume of a costume?) Lots of people would recognize the classic couple, especially if you have the patience to paint Vision’s makeup.
Garth and Wayne from Wayne’s World
Party on! Whether you’re just two best friends or a romantic couple, this duo costume will have everyone amused! For Garth, wear black Converse sneakers, old ripped jeans, a long brown wig, a black t-shirt, and a black Wayne’s World hat. For Wayne, wear black Converse sneakers, washed-out jeans, a white band t-shirt under a blue plaid shirt with rolled-up sleeves, a shaggy blond wig, and black-rimmed glasses.
Harley Quinn and the Joker
This wacky duo has recently seen a lot of popularity, especially with new Justice League and Suicide Squad movies. But if you really want to get fun with creepy makeup and wild costumes, this couple is a great choice. Harley Quinn wears the red and white hotpants with a white T-shirt, red and blue pigtails, and lace-up sneakers. The Joker wears unbuttoned red button-down, greasy green hair, and stark white face makeup. Both characters are covered in chaotic tattoos, so grab a Sharpie and have fun!
Westley (Dread Pirate Roberts) and Buttercup
“As you wish!” The Princess Bride had everyone in love with the swashbuckling pirate and the beautiful Princess Buttercup as they faced many perils to finally be together. We’re equally in love with this costume idea for adults. For Westley, dress in an all-black pirate costume (puffy button-down, pants, boots, leather gloves, headwrap, eye mask). For Buttercup, dress in a red floor-length, bell-sleeved dress with long, wavy hair.
Beetlejuice and Lydia
There are lots of great costumes you can choose from this movie, but one of our favorites is Beetlejuice and Lydia. For Beetlejuice, the man will need a black-and-white striped suit, white powdery makeup (with purple eye sockets and green patches), and a green, frizzy wig. For Lydia, the woman needs to dress in a spooky red wedding dress with dramatic goth makeup and black, stringy hair. This is an adult Halloween costume that almost everyone will recognize and love if they’re fans of the classic campy 80’s movie.
Halloween Costumes for Adults With Babies
Jolly Holliday
Mary Poppins was one of my favorite movies when I was a kid, especially the Jolly Holiday scene. We can all forgive Dick Van Dyke’s accent because everything else about this movie is perfection. For Mary, you’ll need a white, lacy, long-sleeved dress with a red corseted waist. Don’t forget the white, wide-brimmed hat and white lace-up heeled boots. For Bert, you need the red-orange-yellow-white striped blazer, a boater hat, and white gloves! And of course, you can’t forget the baby penguin suit.
Snap, Crackle, and Pop!
This trio has been convincing us to buy Krispy Rice cereal for decades! With a little creativity and crafting, you can make your own trio look just like them. The main accessory is the hat, so once you make those, everything else is a breeze! We love how this family got creative by using duct tape!
What Are Your Best Ideas for Costumes for Adults?
Are you feeling inspired by any of these Halloween costumes for adults? If not, check out some of our other Halloween articles, where you can find lots of suggestions and photos that may spark an idea! Be sure to share pictures of your finished adult costume with your family and friends on FamilyApp!
