Genius 20 Bestie Costume Ideas for Matching Duos, Trios and Groups This Halloween

Genius 20 Bestie Costume Ideas You’ll Wish You Found Sooner

OMG you guys, is the party suddenly close and the group chat still has no plan? Do not fret. This roundup gathers 20 simple and clever bestie costume ideas, and most of them start with things you already own, so no serious crafting skill is needed at all.

The sweet routine behind these ideas is a get together the weekend before Halloween, when friends put their looks together, enjoy group photos, treats and dancing, and hold a little costume contest. The winner gets a $50 gift card, which is honestly enough motivation to add one extra felt detail, lol.

Before anyone buys a thing, confirm your group size, your budget and your deadline. Pull out solid color basics, felt, cardstock and poster board, then add comfortable closed toe shoes and a light layer for October weather. Toss safety pins, fashion tape and extra batteries in one small repair kit, and you are ready for photos all night.

For even more party inspiration, peek at Creepy cute Halloween ideas and Halloween carnival party ideas, or browse best friend Halloween costume ideas for extra duo inspiration.

Closet first, color story second, one clear symbol per person. That tiny plan makes almost every look below read instantly in a group photo.

BESTIE COSTUME IDEAS

1. Matching Bestie Duo Costumes

Matching duo costumes are the quick, fairly simple starting point, and how cute is this trick? Pick one color story and stick to it, then swap a few pieces so the two outfits are coordinated but not identical.

Raid each other closets before buying anything new, since half the look is often already hanging there. Keep makeup simple and coordinated, stand close together, and post the photo side by side so the matching idea reads right away.

2. Salt And Pepper Bestie Look

Talk about a clever idea. One person wears all white and the other wears all black, and the contrast does so much of the work for you.

Cut a handful of circles from felt for the shaker holes, then add a silver headband on top as the cap. Those little shaker caps are what sell the whole look, so make them big enough to spot in photos.

3. Sun And Moon Bestie Costumes

These are just adorable and so worth recreating. One person cuts a ray crown from gold cardstock, and the other cuts a crescent for the moon.

Keep the makeup simple so the shapes stay the star. The gold against the deep blue looks gorgeous in photos, especially when you pose face to face with the crown and crescent turned toward the camera.

4 PEOPLE COSTUME IDEAS

4. Four Seasons Group Costume

Give every person one season, and suddenly your group of four has a theme people have to guess for a second, which makes it extra fun. Pull the colors from that season and build each outfit from clothing already in the wardrobe.

• Pastels for a soft seasonal look
• Brights for a bold seasonal look
• Warm oranges for a cozy seasonal look
• Icy whites for a cool seasonal look

Pin a few leaves or blossoms onto each outfit as the finishing detail, then line up in season order for the photo.

5. Card Suit Foursome Costume

Each person takes one card symbol, a heart, a spade, a club or a diamond. Cut the symbols from felt and pin them onto plain shirts.

Two of you wear red and two wear black, matching the suit colors. Keep each symbol nice and large, stand in a tidy row, and the full set reads in one glance.

6. Rock Paper Scissors Plus One

This twist adds a fourth person to the classic game. Build the rock from crumpled brown paper, wrap one person in white for paper, and cut giant scissor blades from cardboard.

The fourth person goes as the hand, which is the funny extra that makes the group feel complete. Practice the group pose before the party, because the pose really does make or break the final picture.

GROUP COSTUME IDEAS

7. Crayon Box Group Costume

Each person wears one solid color from head to toe, and together you become a whole row of crayons. So simple, so cute, and the blocks of color look amazing in a group line up.

Cut the cone hats from poster board in the same shade as each outfit and tape them closed at the seam. Match the hat to the outfit exactly, because that clean color match is the whole effect.

8. Breakfast Foods Group Look

Breakfast foods make the coziest group theme, am I right? Each person can dress as toast, eggs, bacon or a coffee cup by sticking felt shapes onto plain outfits.

The brown felt strips for bacon take about five minutes, so start there if time is tight. Give each food its own clear shape and color, and your breakfast set will read instantly.

9. Traffic Light Group Trio

This trio costs nothing, which we love. You only need three shirts, one red, one yellow and one green, probably already waiting in your closets.

Cut one large circle from cardstock for each person and pin it in the middle of the shirt. For photos, stand in the right order, red on top, yellow in the middle and green at the bottom, so the traffic light reads properly.

HOMEMADE COSTUME IDEAS WOMEN

These homemade costume ideas for women are the ones readers are saving right now, all built from simple basics and craft scraps.

10. Paper Doll Homemade Costume

The little shoulder tabs are the whole trick here. Cut the tabs from white poster board and tape them onto your outfit where the shoulders sit.

Draw a thin black outline around each tab so it looks like paper. Take your time with the edges, because neat edges give a much better result and make the paper doll idea click in photos.

11. Bag Of Jelly Beans Costume

Fill a clear bag with inflated balloons in bright colors, and you are basically a walking bag of jelly beans. Obsessed. Cut openings in the bag for your arms so you can move and snack comfortably.

Print a label for the front to complete the look. That label is what turns a bag of balloons into a finished costume, so make the letters big and bold.

12. Homemade Fairy Wings Look

Bend two wire hangers into wing shapes, then stretch old tights over the frames. Glue glitter along the edges, and the wings honestly look store bought.

Wear them with any dress you already have. Keep the dress simple, let the glitter edges catch the light, and add a little extra glue at the tips before you head out for the night.

LAST MINUTE COSTUME IDEAS FOR WOMEN

13. Cat Ears Last Minute Look

These cat ears take four minutes flat, you guys. Cut two triangles from black felt and glue them onto a headband.

Draw whiskers with eyeliner and wear all black with the ears. Done. It is the fastest save when the party is tonight and the closet is giving you nothing. For more rushed inspiration, see easy best friend costume ideas.

14. Error 404 Costume Not Found

Minimal effort, maximum joke. Print the words Error 404 Costume Not Found nice and large, then tape the page across a plain white shirt.

It takes about two minutes to put together, which makes it perfect for the friend who swore she had a plan. Wear it deadpan in photos, because the straight face is what makes this one so funny.

LAST MINUTE GIFT IDEAS

15. Candle And Card Quick Gift

A candle with a handwritten card is a dependable gift choice that still feels thoughtful. Choose a scent that suits the recipient home rather than your own preference, because a scent they love is the whole point.

Write something specific inside the card instead of only signing your name. This gift works for hosts, coworkers and other people you want to thank without a big shopping trip.

16. Snack Basket Last Minute Gift

Fill a basket with the recipient favorite treats, plus something they never buy themselves for a little surprise. That one extra treat is what makes a simple basket feel personal.

Wrap the whole basket in cellophane and finish with a ribbon on top. Set the tallest items at the back so the basket looks full and pretty the moment you hand it over.

HOMEMADE ORNAMENT IDEAS

17. Cinnamon Dough Ornaments

Mix applesauce with ground cinnamon to form a stiff dough, then roll it out and cut your shapes. The scent is strong and warm, and the kitchen feels so cozy while they dry.

Let the ornaments air dry for a few days instead of baking them, because baking makes the smell fade fast. Finish by threading a ribbon through the hole, and let each shape dry flat so the edges stay neat.

18. Yarn Wrapped Homemade Ornament

Use leftover yarn to wrap a foam ball or a cardboard shape until it is completely covered, then tuck the end underneath. It uses up scraps you probably already have in a craft drawer.

Two shades wrapped together look better than one solid color. The project is a little time consuming, but it is described as worth the effort, especially when you mix two colors side by side.

SALT DOUGH ORNAMENT IDEAS

19. Handprint Salt Dough Ornament

This handprint ornament is a sweet keepsake that can hang on the tree each year. Press the palm firmly into rolled dough, then use a knife to cut around the shape.

Bake it low and slow so it does not puff up. Once it has cooled, paint the year onto the back, so every holiday season brings the memory right back.

20. Stamped Salt Dough Stars

Roll the dough thin and cut out stars, then press lace or a rubber stamp into each one for a delicate pattern. That pressed detail is what makes these stars feel special instead of plain, and it only takes a gentle, even press to show up well.

Poke the hanging hole before baking to prevent cracking them later. Trying to add the hole after baking risks breaking the star, so do that step while the dough is still soft and easy to work with.

Hang the finished stars on a branch in a vase to complete the look. Group a few stars at different heights along the branch, keep the arrangement light and airy, and let the stamped patterns face outward so guests can see the pretty detail as they pass by.