This post shares 29 Halloween costume ideas for women to create stunning looks you can put together quickly and affordably. You’ll find simple options for every style preference using pieces you probably already own or can grab from any store.
I’ve been helping friends put together last-minute Halloween costumes for years, and honestly? The best ones are usually the simplest. You don’t need to spend a fortune or stress about complicated tutorials to look incredible on Halloween night.
These 29 Halloween costume ideas for women show that easy can be just as fun as complicated. Whether you’re going for classic fairy tale vibes or want to dress like your favorite movie character, most of these need just a few pieces you already have plus maybe one trip to the costume store. Trust me on this one – simple costumes often get the most compliments.
Classic/Fairytale Characters
1. Pirate Queen
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Want to channel your inner rebel? All you need is a white blouse, black pants, and tall boots, then throw on a pirate hat and grab a toy sword. You’ll look like Captain Jack Sparrow’s cooler sister, and honestly, who doesn’t want that kind of confidence boost?
2. Witch (Glam Version)
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Forget the scary old hag look and go glamorous instead. A little black dress paired with a pointed hat and bold makeup transforms you into something enchanting rather than frightening, which honestly beats looking scary at a party where you want to have fun.
3. Little Red Riding Hood
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I love how beautifully simple this one is, yet everyone still knows exactly who you are the moment they see you. All it takes is a red dress and a red hooded cape, and guests always comment on how sweet and classic it looks.
4. Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz
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The blue gingham dress really makes this costume work, especially when you add red shoes and style your hair in braided pigtails. It’s such a timeless look that never gets old, and your feet will definitely thank you for choosing comfortable ruby slippers over heels.
Want even more Halloween costume ideas for women? Check out our post 26 Easy Halloween Costumes to Pull Off Last-Minute for tons more quick ideas. Whether you’re going solo or with friends, there’s something for everyone, and honestly, most of the group ones work perfectly fine on their own too.
5. Tinker Bell
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Tired of complicated fairy costumes that require tons of work? A simple green dress with sparkly flats and those clear wings from any party store gives you Disney magic without all the stress, which is honestly such a relief when you’re getting ready.
Movie/TV Characters
6. Wednesday Addams
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All black everything plus two simple braids and you’ve got this iconic look completely nailed. The best part is you probably own most of these pieces already, which makes it perfect when you need something last-minute that still looks totally intentional.
7. Jessie from Toy Story
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This costume hits that sweet spot of being comfortable while still getting recognized by everyone immediately. A red plaid shirt, denim shorts, yellow cowgirl hat, and cow-print boots capture that lovable cowgirl perfectly, and trust me, both kids and adults will light up when they see you.
8. Jenna Rink from 13 Going on 30
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Want to bring back some serious early 2000s nostalgia? That colorful Versace-inspired dress from the movie is actually pretty doable to recreate, and it’s become one of my absolute favorite throwback costumes.
9. Hannah Montana
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A sparkly top, blonde wig, and some dramatic makeup capture all that pop star energy perfectly. You’ll feel like you’re living your teenage dreams all over again, which honestly never gets old no matter how many years go by.
10. Jessica Rabbit
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This glamorous look requires just a fitted red dress and a red wig, but you’ll definitely turn heads wherever you go. The sultry cartoon character vibe works beautifully for any Halloween party where you want to make a memorable entrance.
11. Audrey Hepburn (Breakfast at Tiffany’s)
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A little black dress, classic pearls, and oversized sunglasses give you that timeless movie star elegance that never goes out of style. It’s one of those sophisticated looks that always feels polished, and guests always ask about those iconic accessories.
Comic Book/Superhero Characters
12. Poison Ivy
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A green dress covered in fake leaves gets you this Batman villain look without requiring much work at all. There’s something about the nature-inspired vibe that feels both dangerous and beautiful at the same time, which is exactly the kind of energy you want for Halloween.
13. Wonder Woman
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A red top, blue shorts with white stars, and some gold accessories and you’re ready to save the world in style. You’ll feel pretty powerful wearing this one, and honestly, who doesn’t want to feel like they can take on absolutely anything?
Animated/Disney Characters
14. Cat in the Hat
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That famous red and white striped hat paired with a red bow tie and you’re basically Dr. Seuss come to life. It’s playful without being childish, which means both kids and adults get genuinely excited when they see it.
15. Daphne from Scooby-Doo
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A purple dress plus a green scarf and you’re ready to solve mysteries with the gang. This cartoon character is wonderfully simple to put together, but everyone knows exactly who you are, which makes it great for group costumes with your friends.
Planning to coordinate with your BFF or partner? Our 23 Duo Halloween Costumes That Will Make You the Stars of Any Party has you covered. The best part is most of them can totally work as solo costumes if your plans change, so you’re set either way.
16. Lilo from Lilo & Stitch
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A red crop top and grass skirt with a flower tucked behind your ear gives you those carefree tropical island vibes. The whole look feels fun and relaxed, and your feet will definitely thank you for choosing comfortable sandals over anything with heels.
17. Moana
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An orange tribal-style top with island patterns and you’ve got this adventurous Disney princess perfectly captured. The costume celebrates both adventure and strength, and it’s honestly refreshing to dress as a princess who’s also a fearless warrior.
18. Lola Bunny (Space Jam)
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A white basketball jersey with bunny ears and this sporty character is ready to hit the court. It’s comfortable enough that you can actually move around and dance all night, which saves you so much hassle during a long Halloween party.
19. Hello Kitty
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A pink outfit with white cat ears and a simple bow gets you this beloved character that everyone adores instantly. The cute factor is absolutely off the charts, and honestly, you’ll feel like you’re wrapped in a warm, cozy hug all night long.
Video Game Characters
20. Lara Croft
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An army-style crop top and black shorts paired with utility accessories and you’re ready for any adventure that comes your way. There’s something about all that gear that makes you feel like you could actually explore ancient tombs, and guests always comment on how authentically cool everything looks.
Horror/Dark Characters
21. Female Freddy Krueger
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A red and green striped sweater with a brown fedora gives this classic horror villain a feminine twist that’s surprisingly fun. It’s scary enough to be Halloween-appropriate without being too intense, so you can still chat with people at parties without completely freaking them out.
22. Dead Prom Queen
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A pretty prom dress paired with zombie makeup hits that perfect sweet spot between beautiful and absolutely terrifying. When you mix elegant formal wear with horror movie elements like this, people definitely remember your costume, and it’s become one of my favorite creative approaches.
23. Billy the Puppet (Saw)
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All it takes is a black suit, a red bow tie, and a couple of spirals drawn on your cheeks, and suddenly you’ve got this eerie character ready to go. There’s something about mixing a sharp, formal look with a creepy little twist that really throws people off – in the best way possible.
24. Dark Angel
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An all black outfit instead of traditional white angel robes and you’ve got that fallen angel vibe working perfectly. The whole look feels mysterious and a little dangerous, and your dark wings will definitely make a statement wherever you go.
Fun/Creative Concepts
25. Piñata
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A colorful dress covered in paper streamers and you’re basically a walking party that everyone wants to be around. It’s festive and absolutely impossible to miss in a crowd, and honestly, everyone’s going to want to take pictures with you all night long.
26. Cupid
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A pink or white outfit with a bow and arrow and you’ve got this sweet love-themed character down perfectly. The romantic angle is endearing without being over the top, and it works beautifully if you’re planning couples costumes with someone special.
27. Inmate
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An orange jumpsuit with black accessories and you’ve got that edgy look that’s both simple and surprisingly effective. The costume has just enough attitude without taking itself too seriously, which means you can still have a great time with it.
28. 80s Workout Barbie
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Bright neon workout clothes with leg warmers and a headband and you’re transported straight back to the decade of big hair and even bigger attitudes. The retro fitness vibe brings back so many fun memories, and your outfit will definitely get people talking about their own favorite 80s moments.
29. Puss in Boots
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An orange top with a black belt, feathered hat, and tall boots and you’re channeling this charming Shrek character beautifully. The swashbuckling cat costume manages to be both adorable and fierce at the same time, and honestly, that’s such a perfect combination for Halloween.
Pull It All Together
What I love about these Halloween costume ideas for women is that they work with what you already have. Most need just a few pieces from your closet plus maybe one quick trip to grab an accessory or two.
Don’t stress about getting every detail perfect – the best costumes are the ones where you feel good and can actually move around comfortably. Pick whichever character gets you excited to dress up, whether that’s scary, sweet, or something totally different. Halloween should be fun, and these ideas show you don’t need to blow your budget or spend weeks planning to put together something people will remember.
