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.
Ice Cream Sundae
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
Jalynn Baker
Jalynn Baker
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.
Jalynn Baker
Jalynn Baker
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.
Jalynn Baker
Jalynn Baker
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
Jalynn Baker
Materials Needed
- white T-shirt
- marker
- scissors
Jalynn Baker
Jalynn Baker
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.
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.
Try This: Easy Skeleton Makeup Tutorial
Mummy
Jalynn Baker
Materials Needed
- white T-shirt(s)
- bowl
- coffee
- scissors
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.
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!
Try This: Mummy Halloween Makeup Tutorial
Mad Scientist
Jalynn Baker
Materials Needed
- white T-shirt
- white duct tape
- scissors
- black marker
- old sunglasses
- dish gloves
- beaker
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.
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
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
Jalynn Baker
Jalynn Baker
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.
Jalynn Baker
Jalynn Baker
Draw or paint S-O-A-P down the front of the shirt. We added glitter for some extra sparkle.
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.
