15 Last-Minute Halloween Costumes for Women Using Closet Staples – Easy and Quick Ideas!

ByIsabel September 22, 2024

Halloween is here! If you still haven’t found the perfect costume or got invited to a last-minute party with nothing to wear, don’t worry! These 15 easy Halloween costumes for women only require a simple black dress, skirt, or basic pants from your closet.

Easy Last-Minute Halloween Costumes for Women

In this article, we didn’t want to compile just any typical ideas like a sexy kitten with a tutu, a devil, or a vampire. Instead, we focused on original and stylish Halloween costumes that don’t require much material. All you need is a black outfit, makeup, and a hairstyle. And for the few that do need some extra props, you can easily DIY them at home or pick them up at any local store.

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Best Easy-to-Make Halloween Costumes for Women

If you browse Instagram or Pinterest, you’ll find countless costume ideas for any occasion. Sexy, simple, elaborate, homemade, or store-bought Halloween outfits—so many options!

There are also plenty of posts showing how to use wardrobe staples to create different costumes by adding just a few accessories. A perfect example is the following video, where five different costumes are created using only a simple black mini dress.

And while these five ideas are fantastic, we wanted to take it a step further!

We’ve gathered the 15 BEST Halloween costumes for adult women, using black basics like dresses, skirts, pants, or tops. These are simple base costumes, even recycled ones, but once paired with the right makeup and hairstyle, they’ll be the hit of any party!

Wednesday Addams

The Wednesday Addams costume draws inspiration from her gothic and eerie look. You can easily achieve this with a long-sleeve black dress. Add a white collared shirt underneath and pair it with black tights.

Her signature hairstyle is also simple to recreate. Just part your hair into two braids (or buy a wig with the hand), apply pale makeup, and finish with dark lipstick.

Add a touch of melancholy attitude, and you’ll have the perfect Wednesday Addams costume using clothes you already have in your closet!

Lydia Deetz (Beetlejuice)

Lydia Deetz is a character from the movie Beetlejuice who is deeply passionate about the world of spirits and the paranormal. She dresses entirely in black and often carries a camera to capture the supernatural.

To recreate this impromptu costume, choose a long black dress or a black blouse and skirt with a gothic touch. Pair it with black tights and boots. Apply dark eyeshadow and accentuate your lips with deep red lipstick. Finally, carry an old camera as a prop.

Trinity (Matrix)

simple halloween costumes for women matrix idea — @maluguzmanp

diy handmade hallowen costume matrix — @k.hatia_

Trinity is a fearless rebel known for her leather style and sunglasses. To achieve her look, find a black leather jacket and tight leather or vinyl pants. You can also go for a fitted dress or a skirt and top combo with a black blazer.

Pair this with combat boots, black cat-eye sunglasses, and a toy weapon from a local store. Slick your hair back and leave a short strand in the front. Apply subtle eye makeup, paint your nails black, and you’re ready! Walk with attitude and confidence!

Mavis (Transilvania Hotel)

easy halloween costume for women mavis of transilvania hotel

Mavis, Dracula’s daughter, is known for her chic gothic style. To replicate her outfit, choose a long-sleeve black dress or a black blouse with a matching skirt. Add red and black striped tights for that signature touch.

Complete the look with black boots and makeup that focuses on the eyes, emphasizing with dark eyeshadow. Mavis is a modern and stylish vampire, making this costume perfect for Halloween.

Willy Wonka

That’s right! You can create a Willy Wonka costume using just basic wardrobe staples. You’ll need a black dress, or alternatively, black pants and a black shirt. Over the basic black outfit, add a red jacket or blazer.

To complete the costume, include a black top hat and large white glasses. If you enjoy crafting, we encourage you to make the famous ‘Golden Ticket’ and a cane to give it that extravagant touch typical of the Chocolate Factory’s chocolatier.

Download our free ready-to-print PDF template of the Golden Ticket.

Disfraz de Maléfica

malefica easy women costume — @heyshanirving

Maleficent is an iconic Disney character known for her dark and elegant style. You can easily recreate her look with a long, fitted black dress.

To add her signature touch, buy a horns or create it using your own hair as shown in this tutorial, or make a DIY headband with horns following the step-by-step guide—it’s very easy to do!

Then, apply dark tones of makeup, especially around the eyes, and finish with a deep red lipstick. Maleficent is the perfect embodiment of sinister elegance, making this costume a simple yet sophisticated choice for a Halloween party.

Cruella De Vil Costume

halloween costumes women aesthetic cruella devil

Who hasn’t seen 101 Dalmatians or heard of Cruella? This costume is not only super easy to make, but it’s also instantly recognizable—everyone will know who you are!

Creating it is as simple as wearing a black dress, or a black skirt and top, and adding a white jacket, scarf, or shawl draped over your shoulders.

For her signature hairstyle, divide your hair into two halves—one black and one white. You can use temporary spray paint, flour, or a wig. Apply dark eye makeup and bold red lipstick. Don’t forget to wear an exaggerated necklace, red gloves, a cigarette holder, and a Dalmatian plush toy. Kits with all these elements are available.

Mexican Catrina

Inspired by the Mexican Day of the Dead celebration. Start with a long, simple black dress. You can also opt for a skirt and top, or even add a tutu for kids.

The makeup is the most essential part: paint your face white as a base, then add skull details with black shadows and flower decorations, along with small rhinestones. Red lips and a touch of sparkle will bring the Catrina to life. Complete the costume with a flower crown on your head.

Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffany’s

halloween costumes women creative and unique breakfast at tiffanys

breakfast at tiffanys costume for adult women — livingaftermidnite.com

If you love easy Halloween costumes for women, the iconic character played by Audrey Hepburn is perfect. To recreate her look, find a classic black dress, preferably with a straight cut. Add long black gloves, oversized sunglasses, a pearl necklace, and style your hair in an elegant updo with a tiara. Kits with all these accessories are available.

Give this costume a distinctive touch by carrying a coffee cup or a croissant. Holly Golightly is famous for her breakfast on the street in front of Tiffany’s, and these elements are iconic..

Pumpkin head

super scary halloween costumes for women

To embody Pumpkin Head, one of the scariest Halloween characters, the main focus is the head. Buy a pumpkin mask or create a large pumpkin to use as a headpiece. Cut out openings for the eyes and mouth.

To complete the costume, wear an all-black outfit, which can be a dress or regular clothing. Add some spooky details like knives, fishnet stockings, black branches, or vines to give it an extra touch of horror. This costume is perfect for Halloween lovers who want to scare!

Witch Costume

The witch costume is a timeless classic for Halloween. Start with a black dress, preferably long with wide sleeves. Add a black cape for a more mysterious touch if you have one from other recycled costumes. Don’t forget the iconic witch hat, which you can decorate with spiderweb fabric.

Carry a garden broom as an accessory to complete the look. Apply pale makeup to your face and add a witch’s nose or fake warts if you want to give it that extra creepy touch.

Little Red Riding Hood

This Halloween costume offers a unique and spooky twist on the classic Little Red Riding Hood tale that’s sure to surprise your friends and family. To achieve this look, you’ll need a black dress and a red hooded cape. Don’t forget to carry a basket of food for Grandma—it will add a charming touch.

To depict the encounter with the wolf, add scratch marks to your face using red and black makeup to simulate wounds and scratches. This costume is also perfect for couples, with your partner dressing as the wolf.

Saw

To recreate the eerie look of Jigsaw, the main character from the Saw franchise, start with a simple black dress and a red bow tie around your neck. Then, focus on the signature makeup.

Use white makeup to give your face a pale appearance and draw red spirals on your cheeks. Add a black wig if needed, and carry a small tricycle as an accessory.

Scream

Not all costumes are Halloween characters for women; there are also great options for men. The Ghostface costume from Scream is easily achieved with an all-black Halloween outfit and the famous Ghostface mask to conceal your face. These masks are available at any local store or on Amazon.

You can choose to add a toy knife with fake blood as an accessory for added realism. This costume is quick and effective, transforming you into the iconic villain from Scream in just minutes.

Black angel

If you’re into simple, sexy, and elegant Halloween costumes for women, choose the Dark Angel—the wicked version of heavenly angels.

Pick a fitted, attractive black dress. To add an angelic touch, attach a pair of wings to your back and a black feather halo to your head. You can find wing and halo kits on Amazon.

Finish the look with black stockings and high heels. This costume combines seduction with mystery, making it perfect for a nighttime party.

To discover new costume ideas, follow our Halloween costume board on Pinterest.

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This Halloween 2024, you don’t need to spend a fortune to look amazing. The women’s costume ideas we’ve shared are quick, simple, and easy to pull off with clothes you already have in your closet.

Moreover, these are improvised, homemade, recycled, and budget-friendly easy halloween costumes for women that not only help you save money but also allow you to exercise your creativity. You no longer have any excuses not to attend your Halloween party in a spectacular costume.

Unleash your creative side and wow everyone with your unique style in costume, makeup, hair, and nails! And, Happy Halloween!