5 Easy Halloween Costumes You Can Make With a T-Shirt

We're taking the plain white tee to a whole new level.

So you’ve been racking your brain for the perfect Halloween costume, and all you really know is that you want it to be cheap, creative and seriously easy. Well, you’re in luck! We’ve come up with five super simple DIY costume ideas that all revolve around materials you likely already have or can easily pick up on the cheap. The common factor: a white T-shirt. 

5 Easy White T-Shirt Halloween Costumes
Loading Video...

Ice Cream Sundae

Ice Cream Sundae Halloween Costume Idea

DIY Ice Cream Sundae Halloween Costume

Turn a plain white T-shirt into an adorable ice cream sundae costume with a few easy steps and basic materials.

Photo by: Jalynn Baker

Jalynn Baker

Materials Needed

  • white T-shirt
  • glittered cardstock
  • scissors
  • hot glue gun + glue
  • coffee filters
  • plastic headband
  • red balloon
  • red pipe cleaner
  • red electrical tape

This sweet costume couldn’t be easier, especially if you already have a brown scarf and headband! Start by cutting glittered cardstock or scrapbook paper into long sprinkles. Hot glue them to the top of the shirt and on the brown scarf. The scarf serves as the hot fudge, but if you don’t feel like buying a new scarf, the look totally works without it. 

Next, grab a few coffee filters. After folding a filter in half, fold it into thirds and glue the pointed end to the top of a plastic headband. Do this until you have a full circle of coffee filters. These will act as the all-important whipped cream. 

A small red balloon is the cherry on top, literally! You can safely use a hot glue gun with a low setting for this, but be sure not to touch the tip of the gun to the balloon. Once the cherry is attached, use red electrical tape to add a pipe cleaner stem. 

Spooky Skeleton

White T-Shirt Skeleton Costume

DIY Skeleton Halloween Costume

Turn a simple white T-shirt into a seriously creepy Halloween costume with a pair of scissors and a little imagination.

Photo by: Jalynn Baker

Jalynn Baker

Materials Needed

  • white T-shirt
  • marker
  • scissors

This skeleton costume really couldn’t be easier. Start by drawing diagonal lines on both sides of the shirt that will represent the space between the rib bones. Roughly cut them out — it doesn’t need to be perfect! Cut out a small triangle at the top.

Photo by: Jalynn Baker

Jalynn Baker

For an extra tattered look, cut off the top of the neck and the sleeves at the seam. Layer over an all-black ensemble. A full face of skeleton makeup doesn’t hurt either. 

Mummy

White T-Shirt Mummy Costume

DIY Mummy Halloween Costume

Craft this easy Halloween mummy using some old T-shirts and a bowl of coffee. It's that simple!

Photo by: Jalynn Baker

Jalynn Baker

Materials Needed

  • white T-shirt(s)
  • bowl
  • coffee
  • scissors

Photo by: Jalynn Baker

Jalynn Baker

This versatile mummy costume can be as easy or as extreme as you want. Start by soaking a few white T-shirts in coffee. We found that 10 minutes creates the perfect look for aged mummy wrappings.

Photo by: Jalynn Baker

Jalynn Baker

Once the shirt has fully dried, cut it into strips that are about two inches wide. Now get busy tying the strips all around your torso, arms and head (and legs if you want to get full-on mummified). It’s that simple!  

Mad Scientist 

White T-Shirt Mad Scientist Costume

DIy Mad Scientist Halloween Costume

Turn a basic white T-shirt into a clever last-minute Halloween costume in just a few steps, using materials you likely already have at home.

Photo by: Jalynn Baker

Jalynn Baker

Materials Needed

  • white T-shirt
  • white duct tape
  • scissors
  • black marker
  • old sunglasses
  • dish gloves
  • beaker

Photo by: Jalynn Baker

Jalynn Baker

For the mad scientist, you really need to be ready to commit — or be committed.  Start by adding a strip of white duct tape down the side of the shirt. Tape will make it easier to draw buttons and the seam, turning your plain shirt into an easy lab coat.

Photo by: Jalynn Baker

Jalynn Baker

Add a pocket with a few strips of tape, and don’t forget to give yourself a clever Halloween-themed name. To take this look to the next level, we recommend popping the lenses out of some old shades and adding a beaker and dish gloves to finish it off. Crazy hair is optional but definitely a plus. 

Soap

White T-Shirt Soap Costume

DIY Soap Halloween Costume

Turn a plain white T-shirt into a clever bar of soap for a simple Halloween costume that is sure to impress.

Photo by: Jennie Andrews

Jennie Andrews

Materials Needed

  • white T-shirt
  • white duct tape
  • scissors
  • marker
  • blue paint
  • paint brush
  • glitter
  • white balloons
  • hot glue gun + glue
  • clear balloons
  • plastic headband

Keep it clean this Halloween with a DIY soap costume that will get the party popping. Start by adding several strips of white duct tape down the center of the shirt. Then cut the sleeves off to make the shirt a perfect rectangle.

Draw or paint S-O-A-P down the front of the shirt. We added glitter for some extra sparkle.

Photo by: Jalynn Baker

Jalynn Baker

Using a variety of sizes, carefully glue a mix of white and clear balloons all over the front of the shirt. A headband with a few small balloons really takes this look over the top. 

More Easy Costumes + Makeup Tutorials to Try

See All Photos

Shop This Look

Next Up

Paper Bag Halloween Costumes 3 Ways

Save time and money this year by crafting these adorable paper bag Halloween costumes.

25 Best Pop Culture Halloween Costume Ideas for 2023

Make an entrance (and earn a lot of laughs) with these Halloween costumes inspired by Barbie, The Little Mermaid, Ted Lasso, Taylor Swift, boy bands, TikTok trends and other iconic 2023 moments.

The 56 Best Halloween Costumes You Can Order Online

Check out these cute costume ideas for the whole family.

3 DIY Breakfast-Themed Costumes for Baby Bumps

Do you love avocado toast? Eggs and bacon? Doughnuts and coffee? Turn your favorite breakfast (or pregnancy craving) into an easy, adorable Halloween costume for your baby bump and a friend.

Halloween Pet Costume: Court Jester

This Halloween honor your pet's inner clown with an easy-to-sew felt jester costume. Our free printable templates make stitching up this playful costume a snap.

40+ Last-Minute Halloween Costumes You Can Order Online

Are the holidays sneaking up on you? We've got you covered for the first one to hit the scene — Halloween — with costumes you can get delivered to your home in a matter of days.

Make This Easy-to-Sew Spider Hand Puppet for Halloween

No sewing machine is required for this darling spider hand puppet!

How to Make a Classic Tulle Tutu

This pretty DIY skirt looks adorable as a flower girl dress, a Halloween costume, for ballerinas-in-training or just for the fun of it. Almost no sewing is involved to create this classic tulle tutu, making it a great project for beginner-level crafters.

10 Fun Ways to Treat Your Favorite Pup This Halloween

Halloween isn't just for humans! Show your four-legged best friend some love with these festive dog treats, toys, accessories and costumes.

5 Tips for Living in a Haunted House

If you find yourself with an unwanted roommate of the ghost variety, heed this advice. Plus, see what happens when a couple chooses charm over potential ghosts on an episode of House Hunters.

More from:

Halloween Ideas

Go Shopping

Get product recommendations from HGTV editors, plus can’t-miss sales and deals.

On TV

Follow Us Everywhere

Join the party! Don't miss HGTV in your favorite social media feeds.