If Oct. 31 crept up on you this year (or if it seems to every year), you might be left scrambling for a last-minute Halloween costume idea with only a couple of days — or hours — to get an outfit together. Hey, no shade: it happens to the best of us. Luckily, there have been approximately a zillion other people in this same situation, and they've dreamt up some of the best and easiest last-minute costume ideas that can inspire and help you in your own quest to look great.
We've rounded up a ton of creative costumes that people have worn IRL and don't require a whirlwind of Amazon Prime orders or spendy purchases on stuff you'll never wear again. Most of these last-minute costume ideas employ clothes (hey, little black dress), household items, or makeup you likely already have at home, that can be transformed into a solid — great, even — Halloween costume with just a little bit of crafting or creative thinking. There are options here for every occasion, from a sexy, adults-only Halloween party to trick-or-treating with kids, or even dressing up for work. And though these are all last-minute Halloween costumes for women, you can absolutely wear these outfits no matter your gender identity. Scroll ahead to see them all.
— Additional reporting by Corinne Sullivan, Emily Cappiello, Hedy Phillips, Taylor Murphy, Lauren Niedospial, and Lauren Mazzo
