If you’ve followed my blog for a while, then you know how much I LOVE putting together costumes. There’s just something so creative about repurposing items from the thrift store, your closet, or even other areas of your house to dress as one of your favorite characters. My dream job is to be a costume designer, and while I have no plans to actually pursue it as a profession, it would be so fun to volunteer as the costume designer at a local theater someday. But for now, I’ll just share my portfolio—my top 10 favorite costumes from the past six years, as determined by creativity, level of effort, and recognizability.

10. Skeleton Makeup

This skeleton makeup was a last-minute costume idea for trick-or-treating with my younger cousin. I didn’t want to show up to the festivities costume-less, so I made use of the face paint in my makeup drawer and got to work with the paintbrush. It’s very low-effort and not very creative, but it still made the list because I think it turned out really well.

Check out the full post here: Skeleton Makeup Halloween Costume

9. Generic “Bridgerton” Character

My aunt took me to the Bridgerton Ball for my birthday two years ago—which, unlike the sham in Detroit, was just as magical as you would imagine. We both put together our regency era-inspired outfits with items already in our closet, mine featuring my thrifted senior year prom dress. I used the tulle belt to create sleeves and accessorized with vintage white gloves, a pearl necklace, and a pearl bag, all items from my grandma. I’m also so proud of how my curly updo turned out, perfectly completed with a teeny tiara I’ve had for as long as I can remember. While I don’t know how recognizable this costume would be on its own, it scored very highly in creativity since I shopped my closet for the entire look.

For more details about the Bridgerton Ball and my outfit: Bridgerton-Inspired Costume Already in My Closet

8. Rollerblading Barbie and Ken

This was a fun costume that scored tons of compliments when we wore it to the great Barbenheimer event of 2023. Aside from the visors, all items were either thrifted or pieces we already had in our closet (the elbow and knee pads are made from strips of athletic shirt stuffed with socks). While this costume scores high in recognizability, it required very little effort or creativity, earning it spot #8 on the list.

For more about these costumes: Rollerblading Barbie and Ken Couples Costume

7. Sae and Akechi from the Video Game Persona 5

This (rather naughty) costume that I wore to an anime convention two years ago required a lot of time and hand-sewing, which I’m very proud of. I thrifted a short-sleeve black dress and stitched together a thrifted mesh top to recreate the dress of this video game villain. The stockings and hat I had to buy, but I already had the black gloves (as you’ll see, I get more use out of them than you would think). If I was judging on effort and craft alone, this cosplay would rank much higher on the list—but because it’s from a video game I’ve never heard of, and only (ahem) nerdy people would recognize the costume, it only lands at #7.

To see the side-by-side comparison of the characters and the costumes: Sae and Akechi Cosplay

6. Flapper Girl

I’ve had an obsession with flapper girls for years, and this was my second iteration of a Roaring 20s costume, which I wore to ring in the new decade on New Year’s Eve 2019. This was another look I made entirely with items already in my closet! The fringe dress is one of my favorite clothing items ever and perfect for Charleston dance moves.

To see the full outfit: Flapper Girl Costume Already in My Closet

5. Billy the Puppet from Saw

I’m a huge fan of the Saw franchise and realized I could easily shop my closet to put together this Billy the Puppet costume. All it required was a white button down, a black blazer (or in my case, a black leather jacket), some face paint, and a red bowtie (I used a red fabric belt from a dress but ribbon would work just as well). Simple, free, and oh so good!

For the full creepy photoshoot: Billy the Puppet Costume Already in my Closet

4. Bev Keane and Father Paul from “Midnight Mass”

This was last year’s costume and one of my absolute favorites. It’s from the horror show “Midnight Mass,” which is directed by the same creator of the more popular shows “Haunting of Hill House” and “Haunting of Bly Manor.” This costume was my first time working with fake blood, which was very messy and sticky but worth the hassle. One of my favorite parts of putting this together was getting creative with makeup to make my boyfriend look more like the actor Hamish Linklater (filling in his eyebrows, adding forehead wrinkles, etc.). The only reason this costume is ranked #4 instead of higher is because it was pretty niche… Very few people knew who we were so no one could appreciate the level of detail put into our recreations.

For the side-by-side comparison photos: Midnight Mass Couples Costume

3. Princess Leia, Hans Solo, and Luke Skywalker

This goes down as one of the most iconic photos in my family’s history. Picture this: It was May 2020, peak quarantine, and we had nothing better to do than dress up for Star Wars Day (May the Fourth be with you). We spent probably an hour searching the house for odds and ends that could be used to recreate the famous trio—Hans’ weapon is a vacuum hose, Luke’s lightsaber is a squirt gun, Luke’s shins are covered in Ace bandage wraps, and my “dress” is made from a sheet layered over a child’s chef jacket. This costume scores high in creativity and recognizability, landing it the #3 spot.

Check out the full photoshoot and more costume details: Princess Leia Costume Already in My Closet

2. Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffany’s

I wore this classy Halloween costume freshman year of college, and my roommate dressed as Marilyn Monroe. I don’t normally limit myself to costumes where I resemble the character in real life, but in the case of Audrey Hepburn, my dark hair and eyes came in handy. I think this is when I first bought the black gloves, and I also ordered the fake cigarette holder online—otherwise, the rest of the outfit was pieces already in my closet. Of course one of my most fashionable costumes had to score #2!

For the side-by-side comparison: Audrey Hepburn Halloween Costume

Annnnd… drumroll please… my favorite costume from the past six years is…

1. The Starry Night and Vincent Van Gogh

I thrifted this dress and spent hours painting it with glow-in-the-dark fabric paint (which, unsurprisingly, doesn’t really work). This costume took a ton of effort, was really creative (even though I didn’t come up with the idea), and was very recognizable. The dress is also something I have re-worn independent of Halloween, so of course it got high marks due to the cost per wear implications. I’m so proud of how this turned out, and everyone was shocked I painted it myself! This dress seemed like the obvious winner.

For the full photoshoot and close-ups of the dress: Starry Night and Van Gogh Couples Costume

Honorable Mention: King Louis XIV

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention this hysterical French king costume I put together for extra credit in my sophomore year history class (I honestly can’t remember which king I was supposed to be, but after some Google searching I think it’s safe to say my outfit isn’t historically accurate to any of them). The costume predates my blog, so this crappy phone photo is the only remaining evidence of the look… an absolute travesty. I borrowed the lace blouse from my mom and clipped on a giant white hair bow from the 80s. The gold pants were from an Aladdin costume circa 2005, so they ended up being the perfect under-the-knee length. I made the wig using cotton balls and rolls of toilet paper and finished the look with soccer socks and an assortment of large rings. Nobody else in the class dressed up and then I walked into the room looking like this. I think I finished the semester with 103%… and no friends lol. It was clear I needed a hobby.

. . . . .

How would you rank these costumes? Which one is your favorite?? AND what’s your favorite thing you’ve ever dressed up as? I don’t know how I allow this to happen every year, but once again Halloween has snuck up on me. I think this year’s couples costume will be pretty low effort…

 

Miles of smiles,
Grace