Dressing Up on a Budget: Affordable Halloween Costume Accessories
The best Halloween costume we ever saw at a neighborhood party was a guy in a plain white T-shirt, jeans, and a chicken on his head. Total spend: one headband. That is the whole philosophy of budget dressing up. You do not need a full costume, you need one thing that makes the joke land, and the rest can come from your closet.
Start with what you already own
Before buying anything, look at what is in the house. A black outfit is a cat, a witch, or a burglar with one accessory. A denim shirt and jeans is a farmer with a straw hat or a cowboy with a bandana. A white shirt and dark pants is a waiter, a pirate, or a scientist depending on what you add. Write down the two or three "base outfits" you can pull together, then shop for the one accessory that finishes each one.
Headbands: the highest joke-per-dollar accessory
Animal headbands are our favorite budget buy because they need zero other costume. The Adult Chicken Headband is a soft headband with a surprisingly detailed chicken on top, and the Adult Lobster Headband is a bright red lobster with claws and googly eyes. Both are one size fits most adults and $17.99 at time of writing. Wear the chicken with a yellow shirt or the lobster with red, and you are done. Bonus: they stack with a friend, so two lobster headbands and a chef is an instant group.
Food hats for the pun crowd
Same idea, different food group. The Adult Hot Dog Hat ($20.99 at time of writing) and the Adult Taco Hat ($26.99) are one size fits most and turn a plain outfit into a costume people want a picture with. Pair a taco hat with a green shirt and tell everyone you are "Taco Tuesday." Pair the hot dog hat with a red shirt and a squeeze bottle of mustard as a prop.
Half masks: the superhero shortcut
Kids do not need a full suit to be a hero. A molded half mask over a T-shirt in the right color does the job, and it is far more comfortable for a long night of trick-or-treating. The Kids Captain America Half Mask is $7.99 at time of writing and the Kids Black Panther Half Mask is $10.99, both one size fits most kids. Add a blue or black shirt and matching gloves (also under $12 in our store) and the costume is complete for less than a pizza. Browse all of them in Masks.
One good wig
A wig changes your whole silhouette, which is why it is the accessory most likely to make people not recognize you. The Adult Goof Ball Wig is a big blonde wig, one size fits most adults, for $19.99 at time of writing. It works as a rock star, a 70s disco dancer, a mad scientist, or just "person with enormous hair," which is a costume in itself. Remember a wig cap (sold separately) to hold your own hair in place, and note that wigs are not returnable under our refund policy.
Thrift stores, yard sales, and your friends' closets
For base layers, secondhand beats new every time. Blazers, prom dresses, old uniforms, and bowling shirts are a few dollars at most thrift stores and are exactly the pieces you would never buy new for one night. Ask friends, too. Most families have a bin of old costumes they would happily lend or swap, and a swap party a few weeks before Halloween is a fun excuse to get together.
DIY the props, buy the hard parts
Props are where homemade shines: a cardboard sword, a coffee-stained treasure map, a foil-covered "robot" box. Faces and heads are where homemade struggles, since a wonky mask or hat reads as unfinished. Our rule is to make the props and buy the one piece that sits on your head. Everything in this post lives in our Accessories collection.
Shop early and ship smart
Accessories sell out later in October, so pick yours early. Group orders over $99 qualify for free standard shipping under our shipping policy, so pooling with friends or family saves even more. Prices in this post are accurate at time of writing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest way to put together a Halloween costume?
Start with clothes you already own in a single color, then add one accessory that makes the costume obvious, such as an animal headband, a food hat, or a superhero half mask. Most of these cost between $8 and $27.
Do kids need a full costume to be a superhero?
No. A molded half mask over a shirt in the hero's color is comfortable, recognizable, and much cheaper than a full suit. Adding matching gloves finishes the look for under $20 total.
Are costume wigs returnable?
No. Wigs, beards, and facial hair are not returnable under our refund policy, so check the size notes before ordering and remember a wig cap to hold your own hair.
How can I save on shipping for Halloween accessories?
Orders over $99 ship free with standard shipping. Combine your order with friends or family members to reach the threshold, and order early since peak-season processing takes 24 to 72 hours.