DIY Vs. Store Bought Costume Ideas For Halloween 2021

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Already half-way through October and have no idea what you, the kids, and the pets are dressing up as for Halloween? No problem, just check out WCCB’s list of costume ideas.

From DIY costumes to in-store designs, WCCB has ideas for the whole family. #SquadGhouls

We used Amazon and Walmart to show versions of the costumes available for purchase online, but with so many Halloween stores popping up and other online stores, there is a variety of places you can purchase your costumes.

Adults

Squid Game Contestant:

• DIY:
  • To be a contestant all you’ll need is a matching tracksuit with numbers.
  • This look can be achieved by purchasing a matching tracksuit and iron-on numbers from any craft store or by drawing on the numbers yourself.
• Store:

• • • Click here to purchase a Squid Game cosplay costume from Amazon for $33.99.

Squid Game Enforcer:

• DIY:
  • To be an enforcer you’ll need a one-colored jumpsuit and a black mask that covers your entire face.
• Store:

• Click here to purchase a Squid Game jumpsuit cosplay costume with mask on Amazon for $40.99.

Spider-Man:

• DIY:
  • Spider-man costumes are plentiful, but if you’re creating this costume with what you have at home…here is what you’ll need:
    • Start with a long-sleeved blue shirt and a pair of blue sweatpants.
    • Layer a red t-shirt over the blue outfit (if you already have a spider-man t-shirt that’s even better).
    • Put on some plain red socks and elbow-length red gloves.
    • Put on a red ski mask or face covering and a pair of swimming googles.
    • Make spiderweb details on your DIY costume with puffy paint you can buy at any craft store.
• Store:

• • • Click here to buy an adult Spider-Man costume from Walmart for $39.

Black Widow:

• DIY:
  • This is probably one of the more easy costumes to create with what you already own.
    • To achieve this look, all you’ll need is a black jumpsuit or an all-black outfit and a red wig.
    • For extra details you can add a gun holster and other fake weapons.
• Store:

• • Click here to buy a Black Widow costume on Amazon for $59.99.
  • Click here to buy a Black Widow costume from Walmart for $76.98.

Black Panther:

• DIY:
  • To recreate this costume all you’ll need is an all-black outfit and a full cat/panther mask.
  • If you are a Carolina Panthers fan, go ahead and use some of your own fan gear to add a fun twist to this costume.
• Store:

• • Click here to buy a men’s Black Panther costume from Walmart for $29.98.
  • Click here to buy a men’s Black Panther costume from Amazon for $52.99.

Joker: 

After the release of DC’s new Harley Quinn this year, a Joker costume will most likely be a fan favorite this Halloween.

• DIY:
  • To create this look you’ll need:
    • An orange or green long-sleeved shirt.
    • A dark green, orange, or turquoise vest over the shirt.
    • A purple jacket.
    • A pair of black, purple, or checkered pants.
    • A tie.
    • Brown shoes.
    • White gloves.
    • A green wig or hair dye.
    • And of course, a bright red smile bigger than your lips that can be created with lipstick.
• Store:

• • Click here to buy a Joker costume on Amazon for $48.17.
  • Click here to buy a Joker costume from Walmart for $106.98.

Poison/Green Ivy:

• DIY:
  • This costume can be made a variety of ways depending on what version of the character you plan on going as.
  • The basics for this costume include:
    • An all-green outfit.
    • Fake ivy leaves to glue on.
    • A red wig or hair dye.
    • Long green gloves.
• Store:

• • Click here to buy a Poison/Green Ivy costume from Amazon for $47.95.

Harley Quinn:

Although there are many different versions of Harley Quinn’s character, here is how we would make the costume no sewing required.

• DIY:
  • Get a white top. Add blue to one side and red to the other using fabric paint.
  • Add “Daddy’s Lil Monster” with iron-on letters to the t-shirt.
  • Distress the t-shirt so that it looks worn and more realistic.
  • Add a bullet belt to red or blue shorts (half-and-half red and blue if you can make them).
  • Put your hair into pigtails and dye half your hair red and half blue (or get a wig).
  • Finish the look with your more worn tennis shoes, vans, or converse.
• Store:

• Click here to buy a full Harley Quinn costume from Walmart for $42.
• Click here to buy a full Harley Quinn costume from Amazon for $82.40.

Catwoman:

• DIY:
  • Get some black leather pants or leggings.
  • Add a black leather bra/corset or just a tight black shirt.
  • Add two belts around your waist.
  • Put on cat ears and or a black half-mask with cat ear detail.
• Store:

• • Click here to buy a full Catwoman costume at Walmart for $43.40.

Carole Baskin from Tiger King:

• DIY:
  • This look can be achieved with a variety of cheetah print items.
  • Blue jeans.
  • A flower crown.
  • Colorful earrings.
  • And of course a stuffed tiger to take along with.
• Store:

• • To recreate the look above here is a list of items you can buy from Amazon.
    • Click here to buy the tie-dye tiger shirt for $37.66.
    • Click here to buy a flower crown for $7.99.
    • Click here to buy a pair of ripped flare jeans for $39.99.
    • Click here to buy a stuffed lion for $9.99.

Cruella De Vil:

After the release of the new Cruella movie on Disney, this costume is sure to be a hit this year.

• DIY:
  • Start with an all-black long dress.
  • Add a white faux fur coat or Dalmatian print if you have it.
  • Get a long cigarette holder.
  • Layer pearl necklaces over the dress.
  • Get a wig or dye your hair half-black, half-white.
  • Finish the look with bright, red lipstick.
• Store:

• • Click here to buy a Cruella costume from Walmart for $68.98.

Loki:

• DIY:
  • To recreate this look you’ll need an all-black-and-green outfit.
  • A gold headpiece.
• Store:

• • Click here to buy a Loki costume from Walmart for $121.98.

Kim Kardashian Met Gala Look: 

Kim sported an iconic all black look, even covering her face, for the Met Gala this year. With COVID concerns, this may make one the safest costumes to wear this year.

• DIY:
  • Wear an all-black outfit including a black cape and blacks heels.
  • Put on an all-black face mask or ski mask to complete this look.
  • Pull your hair into a ponytail.
• Store:

• • The $99.99 recreation of Kim’s look is sold out on Yandy. Check back for when it restocks.

Britney Spears:

The Free Britney movement has gotten a lot of attention this year. Support Britney Spears, as well as create a unique costume, by making an outfit dedicated to her.

• DIY:
  • If you have any Britney Spears merch, put it on!
  • You can also search for photos of Spears throughout her career and recreate a specific look.
• Store:

• Click here to buy a 90’s school girl version of a Britney Spears costume on Amazon for $36.99.
• Click here to buy a 2-pack of Britney Spears t-shirts from Walmart for $15.76.

Copy Cat:

• DIY:
  • You’ll need a t-shirt to put the words “Copy Cat” on it in puffy paint or by using other writing materials.
  • Add cat ears and a tail to complete this look.
• Store:

 

• • Click here to purchase cat accessories on Amazon for $19.99.
  • Click here to buy a “Copy Cat” shirt on Amazon for $19.90.

Identity Thief:

For this costume you won’t need to dress up as Melissa McCarthy from the 2013 film “Identity Thief” (unless you are a die-hard fan like us). This costume is actually a lot more simple to create than you would think, and is specifically DIY only.

• DIY:
  • Put on an all-black outfit.
  •  Add “Hello My Name Is” stickers all over your outfit with different names written on them.

Dancing emoji:

This is another DIY only costume and requires two people.

• DIY:
  • Put on matching all-black outfits, including black shoes.
  • Add black ears and stand together to finish off the look.

Betty and Jughead Jones – Riverdale:

• DIY:
  • The Jughead to this costume will need a grey beanie, black jeans, and a fur-lined jean jacket with a flannel tied around the waist.
  • The Betty to this costume will need a pink sweater, blue jeans, a blonde wig/hair, a collar underneath the sweater, and ballet flats or booties.
    • Don’t forget to put your hair up into a ponytail using a scrunchie to make this look complete!
• Store:

• Click here to buy a full Jughead costume on Amazon for $39.99.
• Click here to buy Betty’s cheerleading outfit on Amazon for $33.74.

Tacky tourist:

Another DIY only costume that is sure to be a hit. Since we haven’t been able to do much traveling this year, why not go as a tacky tourist for Halloween and reminisce on the pre-COVID pandemic times.

• DIY:
  • You’ll need a Hawaiian shirt, brown cargo shorts or pants, and a camera!
    • Add some sunscreen to your nose and some socks n’ sandals for an even dorkier look.

Ted Lasso:

If you haven’t seen Ted Lasso on Apple+, you’re missing out on one of the most heart-warming and popular shows of the year.

• DIY:
  • For this costume you’ll need a blue and red tracksuit like that in the show.
  • A whistle.
  • Sunglasses.
  • A thick mustache.
    • Add in some Midwestern phrases/sayings and your costume is set!
• Store:

• Click here to buy a replica of Ted Lasso’s tracksuit jacket on Amazon for $88.32.

Guaplord and SmokeCheddaThaAssGetta from SNL:

To recreate this viral meme as a costume you’ll need a friend. This costume is DIY only.

• DIY:
  • One person will need an orange sweatshirt and orange sweatpants.
    • Add chain necklaces.
    • Put on a bunch of temporary tattoos, especially on the neck.
    • Dye hair green and blue.
    • Add sneakers.
  • The other person will need a white tank top and grey sweatpants.
    • Add temporary tattoos to the neck and arms.
    • Dye hair pink/purple.
    • Add sneakers.
    • Create a fake grill using foil you already have at home.

Mabel Mora from “Only Murders In The Building”:

This costume is DIY only. Recreate Selena Gomez’s Mabel Mora character from “Only Murders In The Building” with clothing items you probably already have at home.

For this look you’ll need:

• A yellow shirt.
• Plaid pants.
• A cropped fur jacket.
• Over-the-ear headphones.
• A yellow beanie.
• Sunglasses.
• Black boots.

Kids

Spider-Man:

• DIY:
  • See steps above in adult section to recreate a Spider-Man costume with materials you probably have at home.
• Store:

• • Click here to buy a kid’s Spider-Man costume for Walmart for $30.

Batman:

• DIY:
  • Put on an all-black outfit including a black cape and black shoes.
  • Add a yellow belt.
  • Put on a full black face mask and add black ears for final touches (can be made out of construction paper).
  • Draw a bat symbol on the shirt you choose to wear.
• Store:

• • Click here to buy a children’s Batman costume from Walmart for $37.25.

Witch:

• DIY:
  • Put on your favorite dress.
  • Bring a broom with.
  • Add a witches hat for final touches.
• Store:

• • Click here to buy a Witch costume for kids from Walmart for $15.27.

Emojis:

There are a variety of emojis to recreate in costume form. Pick one and all you’ll need is a t-shirt to create this look at home.

• DIY:
  • Get a plain colored t-shirt and use puffy paint or other writing materials to draw your child’s favorite emoji on.
  • Wear an all-black outfit to pair with the t-shirt.
• Store:

• • Click here to buy a heart eyes emoji costume from Walmart for $20.19.

Vampire:

• DIY:
  • Put on an all-black outfit.
  • Add a cape.
  • Put on some fangs and some white face makeup, and you’re all set.
• Store:

• • Click here for a girls vampire costume from Walmart for $19.52.
  • Click here for a boys vampire costume from Walmart for $50.95.

Clown:

• DIY:
  • Let your kid pick out the wackiest outfit they can think of.
  • Add a red nose or paint one on.
  • Bonus points if you do some funny makeup too.
• Store:

• • Click here to buy a creepy girl’s clown costume from Walmart for $51.94.
  • Click here to buy a creepy boy’s clown costume from Walmart for $19.52.

Pets

Although you can make your own costumes for your pets at home, we think it may just be easier to buy a costume for your pet in-store that you can keep furever!

All the costumes we chose to show you are available at PetSmart.

Hot Dog:

Especially perfect for wiener dogs this costume is sure to be a hit.

• Click here to buy a hot dog costume for your small pets (including guinea pigs) from PetSmart for $6.99.
• Click here to buy a hot dog costume for your cats and dogs all of sizes for $19.99.

Pumpkin:

• Click here to buy a pumpkin costume for your dog or cat from PetSmart for $19.99.

Bumble Bee:

• Click here to buy a bumble bee costume for your cat or dog from PetSmart for $19.99.

Lion:

• Click here to buy a lion mane for your cat or dog from PetSmart for $9.99.

Mailman:

• Click here to buy a mailman costume for your cat or dog from PetSmart for $19.99.

Yoda:

• Click here to buy a Yoda costume for your pet from petSmart for $19.99.

Send us photos of your costume ideas to photos@wccbcharlotte.com to be featured on WCCB Charlotte.