Shop Your Own Closet: A Gen X-Style DIY Halloween Costume Guide

If the last article got you nostalgic for the days of bedsheet ghosts and kitchen table costume emergencies, this one’s for you. Below are eight costumes, for adults & children alike, built almost entirely from things already floating around your house, plus one gloriously literal tribute to the plastic-mask era that defined a generation’s Halloween nights.

None of these require a sewing machine, a craft-store spending spree, or a Pinterest-worthy skill set. They require a closet, a little imagination, and the willingess to accept that “recognizable and fun” beats “flawless” every single time.

A quick note before you start, whatever you build, prioritize visibility and comfort. Skip anything that blocks peripheral vision, and if kids are wearing these after dark, add reflective tape or a glow stick somewhere on the costume. Gen X didn’t have that luxury, but you do.

Classic Sheet Ghost

Time: 15-20 Minutes

Difficulty: Very Easy

Supplies: An old flat or fitted sheet, scissors, and one bold accessory to give the ghost some '“personality. “ Things like sunglasses, an old scarf, bowtie, statement necklace or small handbag can be thrifted if you don’t already have something in your closet.

Cold Weather Adaptation: Be sure to cut the sheet generously so it will fit over a sweatshirt or bulky coat.

Safety Note: Cut eye holes larger than feels necessary for better visibility.

Cardboard Robot

Time: 30-40 minutes

Difficulty: Easy, slightly messier

Supplies: One large, or two medium, boxes, foil, markers or paint, bottle caps or jar lids for “buttons,” duct tape or glue.

You can make this as simple or elaborate as you like, depending upon your creativity level and the amount of time you’re willing to spend on this.

Cold Weather Adaptation: Cut arm holes large enough for comfortable movement with a sweatshirt or bulky coat.

Safety Note: Keep the box open at the top, see image, or omit it entirely. You can wear a ball cap or hard hat to finish the look. A full box helmet will compromise both vision and hearing.

The addition of a turtleneck underneath, if you’re willing to wear one, will hide your neck and and match the arms sticking out making an overall more cohesive look.

Closet Witch

Time: 20 minutes, more if you make the hat

Difficulty: Easy

Supplies: Black dress or all-black outfit, boots or shoes and hat.

You can accessorize your witch however you like - add gloves, costume jewelry, maybe striped socks & ruby slippers, black tights, a broom & maybe even a long wig. Let your creativity shine with this one.

Cold Weather Adaptation: Use layers like black leggings, turtleneck, sweatshirt, etc.

Safety Note: Secure the hat with a chin elastic and bobby pins to make sure it doesn’t move in the wind to block vision.

Wearing all black means that other’s can’t see you, little ones may want to wear glow bracelets, carry glow sticks or add other reflective gear.

Old School Mummy

Time: 30 minutes with an assistant

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Supplies: Light colored clothing, torn fabric (like a sheet) or get creative with several rolls of gauze or even fake spider webbing & maybe a few safety pins.

This looks fairly easy, but it’s also one that I’ve not had the pleasure of trying.

Cold Weather Adaptation: A warmer base layer, like sweatshirt & sweatpants.

Safety Note: Leave face and hands unwrapped, and don’t wrap anything so tightly that walking or breathing feels restricted. I’d suggest leaving loose pieces away from feet, to avoid tripping.

Fortune Teller

Time: 15-20 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Supplies: Scarves, lots of oversized jewelry, deck of cards or a crystal ball, long skirt, large ornate belt, shawl or fringed wrap.

You probably have all of these things in your closet and the best part is that nothing needs to color-coordinate, you can mix & match to make it your own. You don’t have to drag around cards or a crystal ball for Trick-or-Treat either, everyone will still know what you are.

Cold Weather Adaptation: Naturally layered - add a loose open cardigan.

Safety Note: Be careful with long trailing scarves, skirts & cardigans if walking near stairs or lit candles.

Scarecrow

Time: 20 -30 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Supplies: Jeans, overalls, plaid shirt, bandana, straw hat, face paint or makeup.

This is one of my all time favorite costumes. You can add fabric patches, suspenders, raffia/straw or sunflower, but you most likely have all of these things already.

Cold Weather Adaptation: Layers, just layer a thermal shirt under your flannel.

Safety Note: If you add raffia or straw, be sure to stay away from open flames

Cowgirl | Cowboy

Time: 20 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Supplies: Denim Shirt, jeans or skirt, hat, boots, belt, bandana.

You probably have most of these things around the house especially if you’ve been to any country western concert this year. Layer denim on denim, add a vest, anything with brown leather fringe, western jewelry, a classic bandana, bor even rope for a lasso.

You can get very creative with this swap jeans or a skirt for overalls, swap that denim shirt for something plaid, dress it up or dress it down.

Cold Weather Adaptation: As before, layer it on. Thermal underwear works well and is definitely an authentic touch, add brown leather gloves. Sometimes leather soled boots on the cold ground will freeze those toes, layer on extra socks for comfort.

Safety Note: Skip the toy revolver/cap gun.

Gen X Boxed-Costume Nod

Time: 20-30 minutes

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Supplies: A comfortable mask & t-shirt. You’ll need fabric markers/paint if you choose to design/draw your own tee.

Skip the flimsy plastic mask with stapled on elastic and tiny eye holes, and opt for a higher quality character mask. Grab a plain t-shirt to design your own, or find a tee with your favorite character printed on, an affectionate nod to those unmistakable plastic-smocks from childhood. Think superhero, cartoon character, musician, etc. Use your imagination. Maybe you don’t need a mask, maybe make-up, a wig or a hat with the same character suit your style better.

Cold Weather Adaptation: Layers, it’s always about adding layers underneath.

Safety Note: Today’s masks come with real eye holes and breathable fabric, take advantage of that.

None of these costumes are complicated. That’s the point. Gen X Halloween ran on improvisation, not perfection. It just takes two or three strong visual cues, something recognizable from teen feet away, and whatever happens to be in your closet. Hopefully this has sparked your imagination, I know as I’m writing I’ve had several other ideas about what I want to be for Halloween this year. Feel free to share your ideas in the comments below.