G-S-T Quick 5 – Super Easy Last-Minute Halloween Ideas

Halloween is almost upon us, and as Ferris Bueller once said “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” Well, the same goes for Halloween. So if you’ve been too busy to work on your costume, don’t worry. Here are 5 quick and easy Halloween costumes for people short on time, and on a budget. The goal here is to use what you’ve got in your closet and keep from spending any money. You don’t even have to buy a prop t-shirt like the header image above (although it is pretty sweet). Depending on the items at your disposal, you may be able to suit up and nail any of the ideas listed below for next to nothing.

Now about these costumes. Sure, people may not know who you are right off the bat – they’re not as obvious as Indiana Jones or Buzz Lightyear – but that’s not the point. I am trying to stay away from costumes that need a legitimate prop (like a whip and fedora) and also save you some green. I’ve noted what kind of props may be used, and while most of them require plain clothes using some of the images (and a handy dandy home printer) will truly elevate these simple ideas quite a bit.

You may still have to explain who you are if you use any of these ideas, but at least you’ll have something. Like that old saying, “There’s cheap, fast, and good – but you can only have two of the three”. I present you with cheap and fast. Best of luck with GoSeeTalk’s Super Easy Last-Minute Halloween Costumes.

1. Characters from LOST (guys or girls costume)

Sure, the above pic looks like a GAP ad, but really it’s easy to pull this off, especially if you haven’t done laundry in a while. And in the case of this outfit, the dirtier the better.

What you’ll need: Dirty t-shirt (or long sleeve button down shirt), jeans (or khakis), a backpack, and sneakers.

How to plus it: Print off this Dharma BEER label and slap it on bottles or cans of beer. (click the image below for the hi-rez version for printing purposes). For fun, write the numbers 4, 8, 15, 16, 23 and 42 on your forearm, and tell people you name is Roger Workman.

————————————————————————————————————————————

2. Saul Goodman (from Breaking Bad)

Now this can be a fun one, and is really up to you because the more loud and obnoxious you are (both in your attitude and the shirt department) the better.

What you’ll need: A suit, dress shirt, and a tie. Be advised though, you really should plus this idea to make it work.

How to plus it: Print off any of the images below, carry a bunch of them in a manila folder and pass them out to everyone you meet. Remember to end every sentence with “Better Call Saul!”

**BONUS: If you’re not into Breaking Bad (how could you not?!), then provided you have a slightly good suit/shirt/tie you might pull off a Gordon Gecko from Wall Street. For that, all you need is a cigar and maybe some suspenders. Slicking back your hair is a must, but a Zack Morris phone (optional) can really put this look over the top. Remember to tell everyone you meet that “greed is good“.

————————————————————————————————————————————

3. Mark Zuckerberg

There are two ways to pull the look of the infamous founder of Facebook – you can be “press conference Mark” or the I-could-care-less Mark from The Social Network. Either one will be pretty simple and relevant enough that people should get it immediately.

What you’ll need (above pic at left): black zip-up hoodie, jeans, a grey t-shirt and, if possible, a microphone (tip: ask a musician friend to lend you one).

What you’ll need (above pic  at right): Pajama pants, grey t-shirt, robe, flip flops. Tell everyone you speak with that they have part of your attention, they have the minimum amount.

How to plus it (either Mark): Using Microsoft Word (or Photoshop if you have it) type up some business cards like Mark that proclaim he is, in fact, CEO and pass them out. Then for a goof you can add this little detail to bring it all home just like Jim on The Office.

————————————————————————————————————————————

4. Harvey Dent (from The Dark Knight)

If you believe in Harvey Dent, then we at GST believe you can pull this off. It’s another suit idea, but hey, I’m a guy and I like the look of a good suit.

What you’ll need: A suit, dress shirt and a tie, a large coin (50 cent piece will suffice if you can get one) and a comb over hair-do.

How to plus it: Print off a dozen or so of the images below, glue them to cardboard or manila folders (to give it some rigidity) and pass out them out as fliers, or affix them to those wooden paint stirrers you get at a paint store (which are FREE) and hold them high above your head as you walk through the crowd.

————————————————————————————————————————————

5. Lt. Pete Mitchell – “Maverick” (from Top Gun)If you feel the need, the need for speed, but don’t have access to a flight suit, a motorcycle, or an F-14 Tomcat, this will still be a huge hit at Halloween…I should know because I just did this.

What you’ll need: White t-shirt, Aviator style sunglasses, dog tags (FYI: blank ones are less than $3 at an Army/Navy store), blue jeans, black belt, a watch (left hand), a volleyball and athletic tape (right wrist).

How to plus it: Well, you could get a bomber jacket, but this look is pretty tight as it is. Remember to slick back your hair (like you just got off the volleyball court) and when you get to the party, ask the host if they mind if you take a shower. Laughs and high fives will ensue, guaranteed.

See, I pulled it off (click the image below to see a larger version) whatcha think?

Of course we urge you to try and borrow as many items to keep costs even lower. The main idea is to have fun with it and again, use what you’ve got. Hope these inspire you, or at least gave you something to start with. Happy Halloween!! Oh, and if anyone uses these ideas, send me an email: marc@goseetalk.com I’d love to see pictures of your outfit!!