Last Minute Halloween Costume Moms Can Pull Out of Their Closets

I don’t know how it happened, because I feel like last week we were flipping Labor Day burgers and easing into a back-to-school routine, but lo and behold, here comes Halloween. I’ve always loved dressing up and knocking on neighbors’ doors for free candy, but something about doing it as a parent is just extra-special. Except for the part where I’m scrambling for a last minute Halloween costume.

My three-year-old has been flip-flopping for months between a mermaid and a princess — so I’ve stocked up on costume necessities for both options. And the baby’s adorable Etsy Halloween costume is due to arrive in the mail any day now. But of course, as a mom the last thing I always seem to think about is myself. Cue the last-minute search to find a suitable costume.

The good news is, these days mom life itself goes through many transformative costumes. No store-bought costume is necessary when you can just reach into the closet and grab something that totally works. Worst case scenario: throw on your wedding dress and go as the last time you actually paid attention to your own appearance. (Kidding, sort of). PS: A diaper bag works wonders as a candy tote (so many deep pockets for hiding your favorite pieces from the kids!)

Need a last minute Halloween costume that doesn’t look completely ridiculous? Let these easy get-ups inspire you:

More Halloween Inspiration:

Last-Minute Halloween Costumes Moms Can Pull Out of Their Closets

Fitness Instructor

Throw on your favorite pair of leggings and one of those fabulous jackets with the thumbholes in the sleeves to be a yogi for the day, or add colorful socks and a swimsuit for an 80's vibe. A matching kiddo makes for an extra-cute touch.

Photo: Instagram/jmhastings7
WWII's

A World War II classic image reinvented on Mommy is a win - especially in an era where girls need as many strong female role models as they can get, Grab your favorite red lipstick and a denim shirt and get going.

Photo: Dress Cori Lynn
Witch

A little black dress and a broom are all you need to nail this one, but rooting around in the kids' dress-up bin for a witch's hat won't hurt. I'd also add an eyeliner wart to my nose or some green shadow on my cheeks to enhance the look.

Photo: Dress Cori Lynn
Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's

A black dress, heels, and some fake pearls are all you really need to pull this one off. The extra-long cigarette holder is cute but skippable for trick-or-treat, definitely. A French twist hairstyle and a tiara will top off the look nicely!

Photo: The Joy of Fashion Blog
Fairytale Queen

It's evident from the photo that I was much happier about our costumes last year than my then-2-month-old was! Tossing together a "fairytale queen" costume on the morning of Halloween couldn't be easier. I grabbed a pink frock from the closet, tied some lace ribbon around my head as a crown, and donned the fanciest earrings I could find. Voila!

Photo: Instagram/OurLifeInRoseGold
Mary Poppins

It doesn't get any cuter than a full-on Mary Poppins getup, especially when you pulled it all from your own closet. Take a page out of adorable blogger Keiko Lynn's repertoire and totally wow the kids (and the neighbors!).

Photo: Keiko Lynn
Bat

This one does require a tad of craftiness, but it's totally doable with stuff you have in the closet. Turn an umbrella and a hoodie into a fabulous bat costume with this easy DIY.

Photo & Tutorial: Evil Mad Scientist
Cruella De Vil

If you don't have red leather gloves and a white fur coat in your closet, you can still pull this off with just a black dress and the hair. A little bit of drugstore spray-on color goes a long way. Grab a stuffed Dalmatian from the kiddos' toy bin for some extra wow factor.

Photo: Instagram/LaurenConrad
Baby Bandit

Leggings and a beanie are all a mama needs to put together a last-minute closet costume. Use black eyeliner or shadow to create the mask, or you can fashion one out of an old pair of pantyhose with eye holes cut out.

Photo: Instagram/DeHaanZoo
Wednesday Addams

How many times have you worn a white button-down under a black cardigan and not realized that you had the perfect Wednesday Addams costume hanging in your closet?

Photo: Instagram/MakinMommyMovez84
Cat

All you need is animal print tp or tee and you're good to go. Black eyeliner creates whiskers and a cute nose. If you're feeling "extra" you can fashion some ears out of pipe cleaners, but this look is just purr-fect even without.

Photo: Instagram/SweetPeaPretties
Modern Day Dorothy

Planning a going as characters from The Wizard of Oz? Turns out, you don't need a blue gingham gown to fit in. I love how this mom paired a plaid shirt and red chucks with two-minute braided pigtails for an easy Dorothy costume right out of the closet.

Photo: Instagram/MrsBlankenship0
Iron Chef

Very "punny" indeed! Combine household staples to create this super-easy and totally hilarious costume. Don't have a chef's hat and coat lying around? Your apron will do just fine!

Photo: Instagram/gabn8tor
Crazy Cat Lady

This might be my favorite -- and one of the easiest on the list. Grab an old bathrobe and tape a few cats to yourself to pull off this ultra-recognizable and totally hilarious look. This mom went over-the-top bringing a "kitty litter" inspired cake to work!

Photo: Instagram/JosiePearlCouture
Mombie

It doesn't take much to look like a hot mess. Emphasize those under-eye bags and throw a baby doll in a carrier and you'll be the cutest zombie mama on the block.

Photo: Instagram/tetesmcgeets
#LastMinuteCostume

Call it like it is! Your adult trick-or-treating buddy just needs to hang a hashtag fashioned out of black foam board around his or her neck, and you can update your hashtag to make it even funnier throughout the night. (#mommyneedsadrink, anyone?)

Photo: Instagram/KennedyAndMe