Last-Minute Halloween Costumes with Prime Delivery

You have a party on Saturday and no costume. Good news: the best last-minute costumes are one item plus clothes you already own. One click, one Prime box, done.

Before you click buy: look at the delivery date on the listing, not the Prime badge. In the last week of October, “Prime” does not always mean tomorrow.

One item + black clothes

The fastest route. Black top, black trousers or dress, and one of these.

1. 1

   High-collar vampire cape

   $AccessoryMenWomenKids

   Fastest vampire there is. Black clothes, cape, fangs.

   Check before buying: Collar stiffness. A floppy collar reads as “bedsheet”.

   See options on Amazon
2. 2

   Cat ears, tail & bow tie kit

   $AccessoryWomenKids

   Black clothes plus this kit. Done in two minutes.

   Check before buying: Clip-on tail vs belt. Belt holds better.

   See options on Amazon
3. 3

   Wide-brim felt witch hat

   $AccessoryWomenAdults

   Upgrade the hat and an all-black outfit becomes a witch.

   Check before buying: Wired brim, so you can shape it.

   See options on Amazon
4. 4

   Devil horns headband

   $AccessoryWomenMenKids

   Red outfit, horns. The light-up kind is easy to find in a crowd.

   Check before buying: Battery included.

   See options on Amazon

Full costumes that ship fast

Onesies and skeleton suits are the classics for a reason: one size range, lots of stock, very comfortable.

1. 5

   Animal onesie (kigurumi)

   $CostumeAdultsKids

   Warm, comfortable, Prime-shippable. Dinosaur, cat, capybara.

   Check before buying: Prime badge and delivery date before you click buy.

   See options on Amazon
2. 6

   Skeleton bodysuit / hoodie

   $CostumeAdultsKids

   Glow-in-the-dark versions are safer on a dark street.

   Check before buying: Glow vs printed only.

   See options on Amazon
3. 7

   Ghostface mask + robe

   $CostumeAdultsKids

   The fastest horror costume that still reads instantly.

   Check before buying: Officially licensed robe. Unlicensed ones are thin.

   See options on Amazon

Makeup-only costumes

No costume at all, just a face. Skeleton, sugar skull, zombie, cat, clown.

1. 8

   Halloween face paint kit

   $MakeupAdultsKids

   A good face paint kit covers skeleton, cat, clown and zombie.

   Check before buying: Skin-safe certifications and patch test on kids.

   See options on Amazon
2. 9

   Vampire makeup kit + fake blood

   $MakeupAdults

   Pale base, dark lip, blood drip. This is what makes the photos.

   Check before buying: Washable blood. Some stain fabric for good.

   See options on Amazon

Zero-delivery ideas (closet only)

• Ghost. A white sheet with holes. Classic for a reason. Use an old sheet.
• Risky Business. Oversized white shirt, socks, sunglasses.
• Wednesday Addams. Black dress, white collar (paper works), two braids.
• A “Y2K It Girl”. Low-rise jeans, tiny top, tinted sunglasses.
• Tourist. Hawaiian shirt, camera, sunburn makeup.

Kids, last minute

A cape and face paint covers superhero, vampire and most animals. If a Spider-Man suit still arrives in time, see the kids list.

Too late even for Prime? Raid the closet and the recycling bin: homemade costumes with step-by-step tutorials.

Budget matters too? Costumes under $30.