Whether you're searching for an easy Halloween costume [1] or a simple outfit [2] for a cosplay event, sometimes pulling together a festive ensemble has to happen last minute [3]. We've all been there, and before you start stressing about what to wear, know that there are tons of quick outfits out there for inspiration! Sometimes all you need is to open up your closet and look at the clothes you already have to put together the perfect Halloween [4] ensemble.
If you're into costumes on the geekier side, we've rounded up some great ideas that can be pulled together in no time. You could go for super-easy options like Jessica Jones — this one basically only requires a leather jacket and jeans — or more elaborate and fanciful costumes like Harry Potter [5] and Princess Bubblegum from "Adventure Time." Old-school throwbacks like Scooby-Doo are easily recognizable and simple at the same time, while quirkier costumes like Elsa from "Frozen" as a Gryffindor student offer the opportunity to let your creativity shine. Regardless of what kind of Halloween you're trying to have this year, and no matter how quickly you need to pull together a costume, we have a slew of options to inspire you ahead.
— Additional reporting by Haley Lyndes
Easy Cosplay Costumes: Harley Quinn
- What you need: A short skirt or shorts, a T-shirt that says "Daddy's Lil Monster," and hair in pigtails.
Easy Cosplay Costumes: Jessie and Woody From "Toy Story"
- What you need: A red cowboy hat, boots, and a blue skirt for Jessie, and a brown cowboy hat, plaid shirt, jeans, and cowboy boots for Woody.
Easy Cosplay Costumes: Meg From "Family Guy"
- What you need: First and foremost, you need the Meg attitude to complete your Meg cosplay costume. The rest is followed up by a pink hat, a pink shirt, round glasses, and jeans.
Easy Cosplay Costumes: Luna From "Sailor Moon"
- What you need: A Luna costume is a fun, easy cosplay costume perfect for any Halloween [6] event. Use face paint to create an upside-down crescent moon on your forehead, and wear cat ears and an all-black outfit.
Easy Cosplay Costumes: Professor Trelawney From "Harry Potter"
- What you need: The headscarf is everything when it comes to Professor Trelawney. Once you have that and the glasses, this easy cosplay costume can be anything you wish.
Easy Cosplay Costumes: Velma From "Scooby-Doo"
- What you need: Search your closet for an orange sweater, a red skirt, and orange knee-high socks. Glasses and a magnifying glass will also give you the classic Velma style.
Easy Cosplay Costumes: Princess Leia From "Star Wars"
- What you need: A white dress or long white shirt, a prop, and two buns on either side of your head.
Easy Cosplay Costumes: Morgana From "Merlin"
- What you need: A black lace dress or top is preferable. Pin your hair half-back and curl it to give it the full Merlin look.
Easy Cosplay Costumes: Nani Pelekai From "Lilo & Stitch"
- What you need: Jeans and a T-shirt with a heart on it — that's it!
Easy Cosplay Costumes: Edna From "The Incredibles"
- What you need: The glasses and black hair are everything! As long as you have that, plus an all-black outfit, you're good to go.
Easy Cosplay Costumes: Waldo
- What you need: A red-and-white striped shirt and hat — the rest is up to you! Waldo is an iconic character and a fun Halloween [7] cosplay costume idea — though you might wind up with a lot of people saying "I found Waldo!" when they see you.
Easy Cosplay Costumes: Golden Snitch From "Harry Potter"
- What you need: A gold shirt or dress, gold wings, and a "Harry Potter [8]" quote to sum it all up.
Easy Cosplay Costumes: Korra From "The Legend of Korra"
- What you need: A blue tanktop, blue sweatpants, and brown boots are the basic elements of this costume. You can add a furry jacket tied around your waist and use an old blue shirt to make DIY [9] arm bands.
Easy Cosplay Costumes: Daphne From "Scooby-Doo"
- What you need: A purple dress, green scarf, and purple headband will bring this chic cosplay outfit together. Daphne's signature red hair is also a plus!
Easy Cosplay Costumes: Black Widow
- What you need: A tight black jumpsuit and cutoff gloves are all you need for a Black Widow costume, but all-black jeans and a black long-sleeved shirt will also work in a pinch, especially if you tie a black belt around your waist.
Easy Cosplay Costumes: Sailor Venus From "Sailor Moon"
- What you need: A dress or skirt in one of the sailor scout's colors and a white shirt or tank top. Either paint on a bow or clip a bow to your shirt, and you're done!
Easy Cosplay Costumes: Jessica Jones
- What you need: A leather jacket, loose-fitting jeans, black boots, black gloves, and a scarf.
Easy Cosplay Costumes: Belle as a Gryffindor Student
- What you need: A top bun, a red rose, and a book.
Easy Cosplay Costumes: Mary Jane From "Spider-Man"
- What you need: Any casual clothing, red hair or wig, and, if you have it, a way to show off your love for Spider-Man.
Easy Cosplay Costumes: Pokéstop
- What you need: Blue construction paper to create a Pokéstop and a headband to affix your design to.
Easy Cosplay Costumes: Dobby From "Harry Potter"
- What you need: A white or beige T-shirt or bedsheet, and construction paper to make ears.
Easy Cosplay Costumes: Pearl From "Steven Universe"
- What you need: A blue or yellow shirt and yellow shorts or skirt.
Easy Cosplay Costumes: Slytherin and Gryffindor
- What you need: A green shirt and tie for Slytherin. For Gryffindor, a black or gray cardigan, red tie, and skirt.
Easy Cosplay Costumes: Princess Bubblegum From "Adventure Time"
- What you need: A pink wig, construction paper to make a golden crown, and either a pink dress or a shirt about "Adventure Time."
Easy Cosplay Costumes: Aurora as a Ravenclaw Student
What you need: An eye mask and an owl.
Easy Cosplay Costumes: Moana as a Hufflepuff Student
What you need: Flower leis and a puka-shell necklace.
Easy Cosplay Costumes: Kiki From "Kiki's Delivery Service"
- What you need: A blue dress and a red bow.
Easy Cosplay Costumes: Rey From "Star Wars"
- What you need: A white shirt, brown boots, and a beige sheet to wear and style over the white piece of clothing.
Easy Cosplay Costumes: BB-8 From "Star Wars"
- What you need: A white dress or shirt and orange paint or construction paper to create BB-8's markings.
Easy Cosplay Costumes: Narcissa Malfoy From "Harry Potter"
- What you need: Black clothing, a wand, and gray clip-in hair.
Easy Cosplay Costumes: Snow White as a Gryffindor Student
What you need: A red headband and an apple.
Easy Cosplay Costumes: Anna as a Hufflepuff Student
What you need: Two braids, freckles, a beanie, a pink scarf or cape, and mittens. Don't forget the house badge!
Easy Cosplay Costumes: Elsa as a Ravenclaw Student
What you need: A single braid and snowflake confetti.
Easy Cosplay Costumes: Pikachu
- What you need: Yellow clothing and yellow construction paper to create a tail and ears.
Easy Cosplay Costumes: Rapunzel as a Gryffindor Student
What you need: A braid, small flowers, and a frying pan.
Easy Cosplay Costumes: Jasmine as a Ravenclaw Student
What you need: Gold earrings and a stuffed tiger if you have one. Show your Ravenclaw spirit with a blue-and-white-striped tie and a stick — or a wand.
