October 31st crept up on you again, didn’t it? Time to get spooky, or whatever you’d like to call it. Who even has time or money to go shopping at the Halloween store? Not many people I know. Get invited to that last–minute Halloween party but don’t have a fit?
We have your back with the 15 last minute men’s Halloween costumes that you’ll never call lame.
1. Construction Man
Pretend to be a hard worker for the night. You’ll only need to run to the store for two items with this costume. “This is what my friends and I are going as this year. Anyone need a handyman?” Penn State senior Kory Baker said. Simply pull on your blue jeans and a white shirt and stop by Walmart to get suspenders and a hard hat. This shows effort, but not too much, right?
2. Where’s Waldo
A beanie and a striped shirt will have everybody saying “Where’s Waldo?” all night. Not only is the outfit simple, but it also looks like you put some thought into the holiday that spookily crept up so quickly. “Waldo is a classic for any last-minute Halloween outfit. It never fails me,” Penn State senior Noah Cooper said. Try not to get too lost in the crowd.
3. Burglar
You can finally be a criminal and get away with it. Black on black will be all you need for this fit. Or, go for a real classic and find that black and white striped shirt. Cut a piece of black cloth with hole in the eyes so you look more undercover. But be warned, just because you look like a burglar does not mean you have a free pass to steal anything. Sorry.
4. Steve from Blue’s Clues
Blue skidoo we can too. Bring back your favorite childhood TV personality with only a green striped shirt and khaki pants. Don’t forget to bring the all-important notepad and crayon. In the end, Steve did teach us how to draw. This last-minute costume will bring back memories and have people wondering whatever happened to Steve?
5. Cross Country Runner
You might as well go for that run you’ve been putting off since you got to college, so why not show up at the Halloween party as a cross country runner? Show off some leg with short shorts. If you desire a more revealing ensemble, this costume won’t disappoint. Make sure to add a sweatband for a more vintage look. Slip on some sneaks and borrow your girlfriend’s gym shorts. Who knew Halloween could ever be this easy?
6. Superman
All boys have a Superman shirt laying around somewhere. Pair it with that white button down you wear when your parents are in town, and boom, you have yourself a costume. “I really don’t know what I’m going as this year, probably Superman. I already have the shirt,” Penn State junior Lewis Griffin said. If only being a hero was actually this easy. Add some fake glasses from Walmart, black pants and a belt, and you’re ready to save the night…incognito of course.
7. Brawny Man
This costume takes the classic lumberjack to the next level. Wear a red flannel with jeans and carry around a Brawny paper towel roll all night. Suddenly, you’ve turned into a man with a purpose. Might as well do some cleaning up while carrying around all those paper towels. We all know how messy these parties can get.
8. Ace Ventura
You already own the staple Hawaiian shirt, now all you need are some red pants. Channel your inner detective, for animals of course, dressing up as Ace Ventura. “I basically dress up as Ace Ventura every year, never fails,” Penn State junior Mike Collins said. Go to the Good Will and maybe buy some left behind stuffed animals. Who wouldn’t want to dress as a Jim Carry character?
9. Bill Nye the Science Guy
Everyone’s favorite school movie star, Bill Nye, showed us the fun side of science. He would be proud to see his grown-up audience remembering him through Halloween. We all know what he wore: a lab coat and bowtie. Be prepared to show your friends those science skills you learned in the 5th grade (if you can even remember them). As simple as E=MC2, or something like that.
10. Danny from Grease
Take it back to the 1950’s. “My girlfriend and I dressed up as this last year. Everybody loved our costumes and it was fun pretending I was from the 50s for the night,” Penn State senior Dave Brown said. This costume also works for couples. Sandy and Danny have us wanting to take it back a few decades. Also, don’t forget the hairdos; they make the look. Sing and dance the night away like you acted on the set of Grease lightening.
11. Hulk
Simple, easy and fun. Paint your entire body green and rip up a white shirt. It wouldn’t hurt to find a skin tight pair of purple leggings. Let people see those strength skills you’ve been working on all summer. Maybe you’ll even find yourself a Betty Ross.
12. Gangster
Classy with a side of badass. You’ll be mobbin’ all night with this costume. Pull out the suit you wear to those career fairs, a top hat and plastic gun. “A gangster and flapper are a great couples costume. Nothing’s more fun than dressing up with your BOO,” Penn State senior Ben Carter said. Suddenly, you’ll start brainstorming simpler ways to make money when the college grind becomes a little too much to handle.
13. Firefighter
Every little boy’s first career aspiration. Allow that juvenile dream to come to life for the night. You can also make this as sexy as you want. Typically, firefighters will wear a navy top with black pants, red suspenders and a red hard hat. Just like that, you’re to the rescue! Even have your girlfriend dress up as a Dalmatian puppy. Now that’s cute.
14. Girl
Everyone wishes that men stepped into women’s shoes more, literally and figuratively. Well, boys, what better day than halloween to conquer your fear of femininity. Dress up as a girl to stun that crowd as your last-minute Halloween costume. “I’m dressing up as a girl this year, I can’t wait to see everyone face. I mean it’s 2018 I can wear what I want” Penn State senior Matt Lee said. This will have people confused, amused and straight up laughing. Go raid your girlfriends closet instead of the other way around for once and see how she like it.
15. Marty Mcfly
Most college boys already have these essentials in their wardrobe. Get ready to travel through time with your favorite 80‘s character. Nailing the Marty McFly look comes easy. What you’ll need: red vest, denim flannel, normal flannel, blue jeans and white sneaks. Go back to the future even though your outfit won’t actually look so futuristic. If you know, you know.
Still not feeling inspired? Check out 10 more last minute costumes that could win you “best dressed.”
16. Classic Frat Boy
This costume idea especially benefits guys in fraternities – the classic frat boy costume. Grab a basic button up or Vineyard Vines shirt and pair it with some nice khaki shorts and dirty ass Vans or Converse. Boom. Complete. If you want to go above and beyond, walk around saying basic frat boy phrases such as “saturdays are for the boys” and “yeah, my name is Chad.” Don’t invest too much into the costume and act like the stereotypical douchebag player. Flip the switch and talk intelligently and sweetly towards girls.
17. JUUL Feen or a Destroyed JUUL
Looking for a super easy costume and a great conversation starter? Generation Z seems completely consumed by the idea of obtaining that pleasant buzz from an e-cigarette device that seems more appealing than smoking some cigarettes. Now this takes some DIY work, but it only takes a few minutes. Grab a black T-shirt and print out the JUUL logo. Next, tape the logo onto the shirt and now you landed the finished product. If you want to go above and beyond, construct a JUUL out of a cardboard box by cutting it to perfection and painting it black and the JUUL symbol with white. Now that looks like a JUUL. If you want to support the popular trend of destroying a JUUL, then find a beat up a cardboard box, cut it and paint it to look like a broken JUUL. #JUUL or #endJUUL, you decide.
18. Pro Sports Player
Love the game, any game? Grab your favorite jersey from any professional sports team and throw it on. Pair your jersey with a pair of khakis and some sneakers. A popular jersey to wear? “AL MVP finalist Chris Davis circa 2013 colorized,” Michael Seaby, sophomore at the University of Maryland, said. Want to go the extra yard (pun intended)? Buy some eye black and put some streaks under your eyes. “Jerseys are easier and you don’t really have to go out and buy stuff. It is also very relevant,” Aaron Merlos, sophomore at the University of Maryland, said. This costume shows up every Halloween season but never gets old. Bonus tip: do not bring any sports equipment because that just ends in disaster.
19. Police Officer
The ladies love (x3) this costume idea. Pair a white, black or blue button-up shirt with a matching color pair of jeans, slacks or khakis. All you need to buy consists of a fake police officer badge, a police officer hat and a pair of fake handcuffs. Although nighttime means no need for shades, if you want to go the extra mile throw some sunglasses on as well. Serve some looks and some citations.
20. Bar Bouncer
21 or older? Or maybe not 21 yet, but still like going to the bars? Put some black pants on and a black T-shirt that looks identical to the bouncers of the bar you plan to go to. Think Mac from It’s Always Sunny. Simple, easy, and maybe the bouncers will mistake you for one of them. Do you hear ‘free cover’ in your future? I think I hear it for you.
21. Pizza Delivery Guy
Did you spend your summer delivering pizzas? If so, literally grab your uniform and put it on. No cost and a great rated costume. If not, find a friend who willingly gives you their costume or order a used pizza delivery shirt off of eBay or a random website. Bring along a bunch of single dollar bills in your wallet in case someone wants to tip you… or for drinks. Post-game at the pizza shop that matches your costume and maybe receive a free box on them. Or, sneak behind the counter and make unlimited wings and pizza for yourself. Might as well try. What consequences results in this? The guy in the police officer costume might arrest you.
22. Firefighter
Another appealing costume, if you know what I mean. Order a plastic firefighter hat, suspenders, bulky black pants, white tank top and boots if you do not own any of those items already. Plan to do this costume idea with friends, so you guys all pull up looking the ultimate, toughest firefighter squad the world laid eyes on. If you tend to shave your facial hair off maybe leave a little scruff for the night off. Do an extra 10, 20 or 50 push-ups before you head out to look extra buff. Good luck and go fight that fire of Halloween.
23. Ken Doll
Want to do a couple’s costume or just a costume with a close girl friend? Achieve the classic doll couple costume as Barbie and Ken. Dig up a pair of bright colored shorts, a button-up shirt and a scarf to tie around your neck. This costume idea makes you look straight out of the box (in a good way). Take pictures with your Barbie and pose with your arms bent to obtain the ultimate look.
24. Prisoner
Badass? Look like the ultimate convict in an orange jumpsuit. Wear all orange and put on a pair of white shoes. Bonus points if you can find a jumpsuit this last in the game. This costume keeps you warm and looking like the criminal you may or may not seem. Get in the mood by either pregaming to the song “Jailhouse Rock” by Elvis Presley or requesting it at the party or bar you plan to go to.
25. Video Game Characters
Want to pull up with your squad in the ultimate group costume? Find an old school video game that everyone gamed with in the past. Get a plain t-shirt and decorate it with paint, stickers and whatever else that makes it look realistic. If the actual game console seems more appealing then try recreating it using a cardboard box. “I am going to be the Pac-man game console. The old fashioned kind, like the ones you would find in an arcade. I am going to make a box to go around me and paint it to look like the arcade game. I am not quite sure how I am going to make it work, but I think it is still going to look really cool,” Drew Herring, a senior at the University of Maryland, said. Easy and super comfortable with a pair of shorts. Your Instagram will trend with your goofy Halloween group pictures.
Updated October 29, 2019 by Meghan Curtis to include 10 more costumes
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