If you're late to the Halloween-costume game, allow us to save you a trip to those picked-over costume store aisles. If you and your partner are looking for last-minute couples' costumes to impress your friends at the next Halloween party, it might be easier than you think. Almost every adult owns a clothing item that can work for the spooky holiday, as long as you're willing to get a little creative — and possibly break out the Halloween makeup.
Last-minute DIY couples' costumes don't have to be elaborate. They can be as simple as throwing on an old plaid shirt that you've had in the back of your closet for years and dressing it up with a few accessories: mustaches, masks, face paint, props. You can even borrow pieces from your partner's closet, mix and match wigs, and put your own modern twist on the most classic costume ideas (Ken and Barbie, anyone?).
To spark some inspiration, we've pulled together the best examples of the easiest Halloween couples' costumes you can make using basic clothing items you and your partner probably already have in your closets. Trust us, when it comes to timely holiday attire, keeping it simple is the best (and quickest, easiest, and cheapest) way to go. From '80s pop culture icons to Disney couples like Princess Ariel and Prince Eric from "The Little Mermaid," check out these last-minute couples' costumes for Halloween ahead.
— Additional reporting by Lauren Harano, Haley Lyndes, Maggie Ryan, and Chanel Vargas
Even 18 years after its release, the looks from "Mean Girls" are still recognizable. If you're using the movie as inspiration for your last-minute couples' costume, Karen's mouse costume isn't your only option. You can pair a pink shirt with a short skirt to become one of the Plastics or grab an oversize blue hoodie and shades for the classic Damian look. Remember to carry around the Burn Book (or, you know, dress up as it).
Whether you're obsessed with "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" or you love Nintendo games, this Mario and Luigi look is an adorable last-minute couples' costume for you and your partner. All you need are white gloves, green and red shirts, and hats with a paper "M" and "L" stuck on them.
From zero to hero, just like that! Put your lace-up sandals to good use in this Meg costume. The only other essentials you'll need are a casual purple dress and curled, sideswept hair. For the Hercules half of this couples' costume, you can go with tan shorts, a tank top, and a cutout golden medallion for the centerpiece.
This last-minute couples' costume is simple and sporty. All it requires is socks, sneakers, baseball caps, and matching tops and bottoms. You can even create custom team logos with paper and tape them onto your costumes to turn the look into a home run.
If you're going for a classic, creepy Halloween vibe, this "Bride of Chucky"-inspired outfit is an easy yes. For the last-minute couples' costume, dig up a white dress, a black leather jacket, a pair of overalls, and a striped shirt. Face paint and a few props are also essential for pulling the terrifying look together.
"Scooby-Doo"-inspired costumes are a Halloween classic for a good reason: they're so easy to pull off last minute. If you need help solving the mystery of a last-minute couples' costume, the Scooby gang has you covered. An orange skirt and shirt with glasses are all you need for Velma, and Shaggy is even easier with khakis and a green tee. If you have a dog to play Scooby, even better!
This sporty last-minute couples' costume couldn't be easier. Pair red shorts with a matching tank, bodysuit, or one-piece swimsuit; grab an old whistle; and throw on some shades to channel Wendy. For Squints, all you need are a bat, a hat, glasses, a white t-shirt, and jeans.
All you need to transform into this famous cartoon couple are a red tutu or shorts, yellow shoes, and some Mickey and Minnie Mouse ears (homemade or souvenir style). To make the last-minute couples' costume even cuter, add white gloves and cutout white polka-dots.
As far as last-minute DIY couples' costumes go, this Belle and Gaston outfit looks harder to re-create than it really is. For Belle, wear a blue dress or blue skirt and matching tank top as the base. Layer the tank over a white long-sleeved shirt and add a short white apron on top — a clean white dish towel could work, too. For Gaston, pair black pants with a collared red shirt and draw the belt on yourself or use duct tape.
"Forrest Gump" came out in 1994, but the looks from the movie are instantly recognizable and easy to pull off as a last-minute couples' costume. Go for a boho vibe if you're channeling Jenny (don't forget the flower crown). For Forrest, grab a pair of khakis, a plaid shirt, a red baseball cap, and your best running shoes.
If you're a fan of classic "Saturday Night Live," prepare to party on with these simple Garth and Wayne last-minute couples' costumes. Pull out baggy jeans, a flannel, a black t-shirt, and, of course, your favorite black hat and boxy glasses to pull off this classic costume.
You can't go wrong with an Addams Family costume. If you have a black dress and a classy black-and-white suit, you can pull off this look. Make sure to nail the dark makeup and slicked-back hair for the ultimate last-minute couples' costume.
Consider paying tribute to some of your favorite GOATs with your last-minute couples' costume for Halloween. If you're looking to dress up like Serena Williams, grab a tennis racket and repurpose a white dress and sweatband. For a nod to LeBron James, throw on a jersey and a pair of shorts and grab a basketball, or an orange balloon and a marker. You can even mix and match your favorite athletes to create your own winning pair.
This modern, DIY take on Han Solo and Princess Leia instantly freshens up a classic couples' costume. While you can play around with the accessories for this last-minute costume, the voluminous hair buns are a must.
Love "The Princess and the Frog"? If you have a mid-length dress and a pair of neutral pants in your closet, this last-minute couples' costume inspired by Tiana and Prince Naveen are super easy to put together. Pair Prince Naveen's outfit with a sweater vest and ukulele, and add a tiara to Tiana's look to spread some magic this Halloween.
Whether you loved "Space Jam" as a kid or you're just a major fan of the Looney Tunes, this Lola and Bugs Bunny costume is as easy as it gets. If you don't have matching Tune Squad tanks, make your own with white tank tops and some construction paper and safety pins. Take the last-minute DIY couples' costume a step further with a basketball and bunny ears.
Yes, referees can be sexy, too. If you're the football player in this last-minute couples' costume, you'll need a jersey (crop top or regular size) and some short shorts. The ref can wear a pinstriped or collared shirt with a whistle and hat. Slap on some face paint, and you're ready to make a play.
If you have a couple of white button-down shirts and black pants, you're already halfway to this "Pulp Fiction" costume. Black wigs are a fun addition (but not mandatory), and don't forget the red lipstick if you're looking to pull off this last-minute couples' costume.
Grab a fuzzy sweater or onesie, a choker, and some face paint to pull off this puppy-approved last-minute couples' costume. You can even add to your pack by getting your actual four-legged friends in on the look.
Who needs Halloween candy when you can have milk and cookies? For this last-minute couples' costume, felt or construction paper are both good choices for creating the Cookie Monster face on your shirt. As for the milkman, a white hat and a marker will do.
This Dorothy and Tin Man costume is about as easy as it gets, and can come together in minutes. For the Dorothy half of the last-minute couples' costume, you'll need a checked blue dress and pigtails. The Tin Man will need a gray shirt and matching pants — plus, some face paint if you're feeling creative. Extra credit if you plop a lion's mane on your pet for the Cowardly Lion!
Channeling these famous fixer uppers is simple: go with blue jeans, olive shirts, a tool belt, and some work-ready boots. Bonus points if you have actual tools to include in the tool belt for this last-minute couples' costume.
This classic "Grease"-inspired costume never gets old, probably because it's so easy to pull off. For both halves of the last-minute couples' costume, go with skintight black leggings or jeans and a black tee for your base. For Sandy, big curls and red lips are a must; for Danny, grease up that hair!
If you're still hunting for a last-minute Halloween csotume, head to District 12 for this quick take on Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark. A bow and arrow and loaf of bread might be nice touches, but they're definitely not mandatory.
Nobody puts Baby in the corner, especially when she's decked out in this super-simple last-minute couples' costume. Pair a pink skirt and tank top with heels for Baby. For Johnny, grab an all-black ensemble, and prepare to dance the night away.
Step back into the Roaring '20s with this simple, flashy last-minute couples' costume to channel "The Great Gatsby." This outfit is a great excuse to go thrifting or wear that suit that's been sitting in the back of your closet.
Some partners give each other flowers, others become the flowers. This last-minute couples' costume for Halloween is so easy to pull off — just grab a watering can, a hat, and some fake flowers.
Pull out the face paint and pair it with some skinny jeans or a shiny dress to complete this rock-star look. You can even get fun and play with genres — indie, folk, punk, heavy metal — and alter your makeup and accessories to fit the theme. As far as last-minute couples' costumes go, this one might be one of the easiest — and most fun!
Sail the seven seas with your partner in these super-simple pirate costumes. Black pants, white shirts, and a couple of pirate hats (and maybe an eyepatch) are all you need to re-create this last-minute couples' costume.
If you have a red maxi dress, you and your partner can show off your love ("true love!") with this last-minute couples' costume straight from "The Princess Bride." The mustache isn't required but highly recommended if you're dressing up as Westley.
Stay classy, San Diego. This "Anchorman"-inspired look will have you ready to report on all the breaking news. Even though it's a last-minute couples' costume, you can take an extra minute to dress it up with some homemade news anchor microphones — use paper towel rolls painted black, balled up tinfoil, hot glue, and construction paper.
With a superhero costume, you can go as elaborate or as simple as you want. For a last-minute DIY couples' costume, pin a felt version of your logo of choice (Batman, Superman, etc.) on the chest of a colorful t-shirt. Next, tie a towel or blanket around your neck, and prepare to party all night fight evil.
Who needs Batman when Robin and Catwoman are around? For this last-minute DIY couples' costume, your closet is the limit. Pull out the black latex and yellow cape — you can use a towel or big t-shirt — to add the finishing touch to these crime-fighting costumes.
The face paint is what really makes this last-minute couples' costume pop. The best part is, you can pair these clown looks with whatever cute, simple clothes you have around — colorful or monochrome.
If you have a pair of black-and-white-striped shirts and a set of whistles, you have a last-minute couples' costume. Pair the tops with black shorts or skirts to complete the sports-themed look.
If you have a couple of captain's hats, your last-minute couples' costume is basically set. Pair the caps with black-and-white-striped shirts (or just plain white), some red lipstick, and black or tan pants to complete the outfits.
If you love your partner like Cookie Monster loves cookies, this last-minute DIY couples' costume is the one for you. Make a quick Cookie Monster hat with felt eyes and blue feathers, pin some felt polka dots onto a tan jumpsuit or crop top for the cookie, and you're ready to go.
Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy . . . reunite! Simple, colorblock shirts are the key to this last-minute couples' costume. Make this a look even Man Ray would adore with a pair of purple dishwashing gloves, bandanas, and paper seashell cutouts.
If you've ever wanted to be a part of Princess Ariel and Prince Eric's world, now is your chance. For this last-minute couples' costume, all you need is a white puff-sleeve dress or top and skirt for Princess Ariel. Pair the look with a red wig and a pink headband or strip of cloth. For Prince Eric, wear a pair of light-colored bottoms, a white button-up, and a blue vest.
She's Barbie and he's just Ken, but they both look fabulous. Feel like you're part of Greta Gerwig's "Barbie" world with these doll-inspired cowboy and cowgirl costumes. For Barbie, go for an all-pink ensemble — preferably with flared bottoms — and a blond wig. For Ken, a black button-up and matching pants will do. Complete the last-minute DIY couples' costumes with white cowboy hats and pink bandanas.
Roy and Keeley's fate on "Ted Lasso" may still be up in the air, but this last-minute couples' costume is a surefire win for any Halloween party. For Roy, black shorts and a blue shirt will do — you can even tape a piece of paper that says "bantr" on the front of the shirt to re-create his jersey. For Keeley's look, aim for fun, flirty, and monochrome with a half-up hairdo.
If you want a classic last-minute couples' costume, go for the Cheshire Cat and the Mad Hatter from "Alice in Wonderland." For Chess, pink stripes are a must. From there, all you need is a pair of cat ears and some face paint. The Hatter's costume is basically an excuse to raid your closet and layer on everything you own: shorts, mismatched socks and shoes, a button-up, and a blazer. Bonus points if you can find a funky hat.
Even though you didn't plan ahead, you can still pay tribute to these impressive time travelers with a "Back to the Future"-inspired last-minute couple's costume. For Marty's outfit, go with a pair of cuffed jeans, a plaid button-up, white sneakers, sunglasses, and an orange puffer vest — watch recommended. For Doc Brown, a lab coat, a button-up with a colorful pattern, and a pair of khakis should do it. If you really want to sell the look, try adding on a pair of goggles and a white wig.
Zorro and Elena are the perfect combination of sexy and powerful, and all you need for this last-minute couples' costume are a white dress, a black shirt, and matching pants. Add the black mask, hat, and pretend swords to complete the look.
Shiny bell bottoms, a faux-fur wrap, a flowy shirt, a vest, and colored glasses are all you need to pull off this last-minute DIY couples' costume. Don't forget to straighten and middle-part your hair for the perfect old-school Cher look.