8 Halloween Costumes You Already Have in Your Dorm (Perfect for Last-Minute Parties!)
Halloweekend is approaching eerily quickly, and if you’ve been too busy studying for midterms to figure out your costume, you might be feeling panicked. Costumes on shelves are already scarce, plus it’s not always in the budget to buy a whole new getup for just one or two nights of celebrating Halloween. Luckily, there are tons of college Halloween costumes that you can put together using things you probably already have in your dorm.
From the unlikely star of The Summer I Turned Pretty to a water bottle-inspired outfit, here are eight cute and clever last-minute Halloween costume ideas that will still be seriously impressive.
Pop Culture College Halloween Costumes
Labubu
A Labubu costume is probably one of the hottest-ticket items this year. Luckily it’s deceptively simple to DIY the creepy-cute look with things you already have. First put on any set of onesie pajamas, your go-to matching hoodie and sweatpants combo, or fuzzy lounge set. Then unleash your inner MUA and draw on a nose, extended mouth lines, and some pointy white teeth — you can find lots of Labubu makeup tutorials online, like this one. Finally, put on your coziest slippers, and you’re ready to go be the rarest Labubu of them all.
What you probably already have:
- A cozy lounge set (here’s a good option, if you don’t have one)
- Slippers
- Eyeliner/face makeup
What you might need:
Junior Mint from The Summer I Turned Pretty
The real star of the final season of The Summer I Turned Pretty was Junior Mint, the symbolic stuffed bear that Conrad won for Belly. To dress up as this scene-stealing little guy, you’ll just need an all-white outfit, a dark part of sunglasses, a pair of white bear ears, a red scarf (the actual bear’s has red-and-gray stripes, but you can use what you have), and some fluffy white slippers. Bonus points if you wear an infinity necklace, of course.
What you probably already have:
- White clothing
- White slippers
- Red striped scarf
- Dark sunglasses
What you might need:
Wednesday Addams from Wednesday
To cosplay as gothic icon Wednesday Addams for the night, you can come up with a costume using things you already have in your room. Layer a black dress (or black sweater and skirt) over a white button-down shirt so that the collar pokes out. Put on some black tights, some black loafers or boots, braid your hair into two pigtails, and practice your best emotionless expression. Because you’re a student at Nevermore Academy, don’t forget your backpack (black is best)! And if you really want to spook people, spring for a prop “Thing,” Wednesday’s disembodied hand companion.
What you probably already have:
- A black dress or shirt/skirt
- A white button-down shirt
- Black tights
- Black loafers or shoes
- A backpack
What you might need:
- A fake disembodied hand prop (“Thing,” of course)
Alexander Hamilton from Hamilton
If you know every lyric to Hamilton by heart, don’t throw away your shot to dress as the man, the myth, the legend himself this Halloweekend. Although a Founding Fathers-inspired getup might not seem like something you have in your closet, just look to TikTok creator rachleahx for some impressive DIY inspo: She says to start with any collared coat (preferably in beige, brown, black, or gray) that you button or zip up, then tie a long-sleeve white shirt loosely around your neck and tuck it into the coat a bit to make it look like a historic collar (technically called a jabot).
Next, put on some leggings and knee-high boots (or whatever boots you have), slick your hair back into a low ponytail with a middle part, and, crucially, draw on some facial hair stubble using dark eyeshadow or eyeliner. To really go the extra mile, you could carry around a small notebook (for when you “just need to write something down”) and a lantern to light your way (lit by any LED candle you already have in your dorm). Whatever you do, don’t forget to film your own rendition of the viral “Alexander come back to bed” scene.
What you probably already have:
- A collared coat
- A long-sleeve white shirt
- Leggings
- Tall boots
- Eyeshadow/eyeliner
What you might need:
Elphaba from Wicked
Even if you can’t hit every note in Cynthia Erivo’s majestic “Defying Gravity” riff, nothing’s stopping you from dressing the part. All you’ll need is a black dress, some black boots, a black witch hat, and plenty of green face makeup — you can either paint your whole face, or go for a more subtle interpretation with some green eye shadow. To really lean into the emerald look, wear a pair of green gloves and some green tights, and, if you have it in your collection of dorm cleaning supplies, carry around a broom. (Bonus: Have your bestie dress up as Glinda!)
What you probably already have:
- A black dress
- Boots
- A broom
What you might need:
Timeless College Halloween Costumes
Dry Cleaning
Nothing to wear? Head to the dry cleaners — or, more accurately, transform into an outfit being picked up from the dry cleaners yourself. TikTok user delaney_collins shared this clever costume idea that she says had strangers on the street calling out, “You won Halloween!” when she wore it last year. You can wear any outfit, really, but a pair of trousers and a button-down shirt might help sell the look.
Then, cut a roomy hole in a large, clear plastic garment bag, big enough to comfortably fit your head and neck through, and lower the bag around your torso. Do a little coloring to make the iconic “We ❤️ Our Customers” sign and tape it to the front of the plastic bag. For the final touch, affix a clothing hanger to your hair using a hair tie or some ribbon.
What you probably already have:
- A button-down shirt
- Pants
- A hanger
- Paper
- Markers
- Tape
What you might need:
Owala Water Bottle
An emotional support water bottle is such a personal thing, as is the ever-elusive “best” Owala color combo. Whether you’re a fan of “Sugar High” or “80s Ski Slopes,” these color-blocked water tumblers make for great Halloween costume fodder. Just shop your closet for an outfit that coordinates with the colors of your FreeSip as closely as you can, and tote around your Owala all night — you’ll be the most hydrated person at the party. If you feel like getting a little crafty you could cut out and tape paper letters spelling out “Owala” onto one of your pant legs (or use some letter stickers), but that’s totally optional.
What you probably already have:
- Clothes in colors matching your favorite Owala
- Owala FreeSip tumbler
What you might need:
- Large letter stickers (or just some paper, scissors, and tape)
Bed Bug
Anyone who has had bed bugs knows that if you want to be something truly scary for Halloween, this is the most haunting costume you could don. The best part: It’s actually really cute, and couldn’t be easier. TikTok user averykrejci shows how you can nail the look by wearing some pajamas, a sleep mask (pushed up so you can see, of course), and some buggy accessories like a pair of antenna and wings if you choose. Carry around a pillow or throw pillow to round out the pun-inspired costume, and you’ll have the coziest Halloween ever.
What you probably already have:
- Pajamas
- A sleeping mask
What you might need:
