Last Minute Halloween Costumes - Get in the Spirit

Let's face it; even though we're no longer kids, Halloween is still a blast. We can eat candy guilt-free (it's practically expected!) and become someone else for the night. Whether you want to rent a costume, whip up a DIY his and hers, or throw something cute together at the last minute, we've got you covered. So grab a few treats and read on for our no-fail costume ideas, guaranteed to turn heads at this year's Halloween bash. If you decide to go to that party at the last minute and have a couple of hours to pull something together, fear not. Easy Peesy.

CLASSIC COUPLES: If getting your guy into a costume is a scary task, these retro couples are your best bet. His part requires fun props without the frills, and you'll get to channel your inner seductress.The best places to find the right materials are second-hand shops and dollar stores

Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio: - All he needs is a baseball uniform - number five from the New York Yankees to be specific - and you get to be as sultry as you want in a curvy, fifties-inspired dress, red lips and blond wig.

Bonnie and Clyde : - Check out the 1967 classic Bonnie and Clyde, starring Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty, for inspiration. Look for twenties-inspired separates, and don't forget Bonnie's signature beret. For your Clyde, a three-piece suit and a classic fedora will do the trick. Add a few plastic guns and some attitude.

Cleopatra: - This is a classic for women who want to look more sassy than scary. Wrap a gold belt around a long, gauzy (but still decent!) nightgown and break out a pair of sexy summer sandals. Buy an inexpensive black wig and headdress, line your eyes with black eyeliner and accessorize with dollar store gold bangles. Spend the evening searching for a Greek or Roman warrior to conquer with a single, smoldering glance.

Stephen King's Carrie: - If you like a bit of mess and lots of attention, this is for you. Buy a tiara and a cheap prom dress - preferably in a light colour - and a few vials of fake blood. Pour the blood over your head and down your dress, get a crazed look in your eye and be prepared to have people shy away from hugging you. (If you haven't seen this horror classic from 1976, starring a young Sissy Spacek and John Travolta, then get to your nearest video store!)

Gypsy fortune teller: - This costume is easy to put together - all you need is a long skirt, a colourful head scarf and lots of gold jewelry (hit up your friends if your closet is lacking). Use lots of mascara and dark eyeshadow for a mysterious, smoky look, and finish off with red lips. Make a "crystal ball" out of aluminum foil and you're ready to reveal the fortunes of everyone at the party.

A hippy costume: - Easy to make. You already own a pair of flairs . Use your oldest pair and slit the outside seams up to the knees. Use an old floral tablecloth or sheet from a thrift shop. Cut out two equal sized triangles to fit in the slit seams to make bell bottoms( use a glue gun from the dollar store). Cut out a few of the flowers from the remaining fabric and scatter them (using the glue gun) on the legs of the jeans or pants. Wear a teeshirt or buy a floral shirt from that thrift shop. Put on lots of your mother's old long necklaces and bracelets ; you can't over-do. Cut out a peace sign from cardboard and paint it black or gold and hang it on a string around your neck. If you are really ambitious, you can get some black or any color fabric paint and using the carboard peace sign for a stencil, place it on an old white teeshirt and spray as many peace signs as you think appropriate. Put a flower in your hair or make an Indian head-band and you are all set. Long hair works best with this costume. This costume is unisex.

Trinity from The Matrix: - Sometimes movie character costumes are difficult to recognize—unless they’re characters from cult classics, that is. Not only is Trinity sexy and sleek, her outfit is super simple to pull off.
Key items:
Black topBlack skinny pantsBlack leather beltKnee-high boots (worn over pants)Long black trench coatSleek, oval-shaped sunglassesFake plastic gun (optional)
Pull your hair back into a sleek, low ponytail (this outfit works especially well if you have naturally dark hair). Now walk with an attitude worthy of Carrie-Anne Moss!

Candy Fairy: - This is an original way to dress up, and although it’s not actually a famous character or typical costume, it’s a lot of fun to wear—you’re bound to get some great reactions from people (and maybe a few requests to magically make more candy appear, too).
Key items:Pastel-coloured dress or outfitDifferent kinds of individually wrapped candy
Magic wand
The idea is to pin or glue different types of candy to your outfit, accessories and shoes. For a cute, girlie girl candy fairy look, pull your hair into pigtails with large, 80s style scrunchies and pin lollipops, Rockets, Starburst—or any other kinds of candy—to them. Another option is to use a large headband and stick different kinds of hard candy (unwrapped) to it with a glue gun. Have fun with the look, but the idea is to be as extravagant as possible—it’s Halloween, after all!

Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffany’s: - If you’re a total glamazon, then chances are you’ve got exactly what you need to dress up as Audrey Hepburn’s character from this classic film right there in your wardrobe!
Key items:Little black dressFake (or real!) rows of pearls worn closely to the neckHeavily-jewelled hair accessory or tiaraLong black glovesOld fashion cigarette-holder
Pull your hair up into a pretty bun on the crown of your head, letting a few locks fall loose at the front (if you have bangs, leave them down). Place a fake tiara, or big barrette with jewels on it at the front of your updo. As for makeup, go heavy on the liquid liner (Halloween is the perfect time to experiment) and create a chic cat’s eye effect by drawing the line slightly upwards on the outer part of your eye.

Good luck with your project and enjoy yourself. You can be proud of your creation.

P.S. - One of my kids just suggested two more ideas : A zombie costume - ( torn up clothes with dirt and fake blood on them, black circles around your eyes,blood on your face and messy hair)And try to look crazy and hungry for brains.

- The other suggestion is Heath Ledger as the Joker. It's a pretty old idea but so quick to pull together. Have fun.