Looking for a last-second costume? Try these easy-to-assemble cosplays
10 costumes you can build with items you already own.
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Reviewed / Nintendo / Illumination Entertainment / Universal Pictures / Netflix / Matthias Clamer
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Creating a costume based on your favorite fandom can be fun, but it can also be an intimidating process. With flawless cosplays abundant everywhere on the internet, it can be hard for a newcomer to feel like they’re on the right track. Moreover, the task can make those with less time or money to dedicate to the practice feel a little left out. Luckily, there are some recognizable, easy costumes out there that are a cinch to make. Wear them with pride (and a whole lot of comfort), and remember that it’s all about the fun anyway.
Whether you’re getting ready for Halloween or venturing out to Comic Con, these ten cosplays are so easy that anyone can make them. Just pull from your closet or your local thrift store and let your imagination run wild.
1. For Reminding Everyone That This Barbie is in Charge: President Barbie
This seasonal and trending Barbie movie-inspired costume is easy to put together.
One of the best parts about dressing up as the Barbieland President is that you really only need one piece to be recognizable. Just purchase a “President” sash or make your own, and pair it with your favorite Barbie-worthy look. If you want to recreate one of Madame President’s iconic looks along with the sash, the pink jumpsuit from the reprogramming scene is one of the easiest. Plus, you can wear the jumpsuit year-round as a fabulously feminine new addition to your wardrobe.
Top off any outfit with a pink President sash for an easy-to-assemble cosplay.
Complete your Barbie-inspired look with a pink jumpsuit.
A fresh pair of white kicks will help you get around in comfort (and style).
2. For Stepping Out of the Shadows: Guillermo de la Cruz
All you really need to recreate Guillermo de la Cruz’s look from ‘What We Do in the Shadows’ is a patterned sweater and a trench coat.
Guillermo de la Cruz from What We Do in the Shadows is a great example of a fun cosplay that’s cheap and easy to recreate. Grab just about any vintage sweater from your local thrift store–the busier and more earth-toned the better. Then, pair it with a button-up white shirt, some neutral slacks, your favorite black or brown shoes, and some glasses. If you want to go the extra mile, you can always grab a wooden stake and Guillermo’s coat from later seasons, too.
This trench coat is easy to dress up or dress down (or for use in that easy Guillermo cosplay).
For a classic look design that you can wear long after cosplay season is over, shop this Fair Isle sweater.
See every part of your outfit clearer with a pair of costume glasses.
Sure, you might buy these for a costume, but you can wear these durable pants for years to come.
Every men’s wardrobe needs a classic white dress-shirt, and this one is a bargain.
Comfort comes first in these slip-resistant Skechers sneakers.
3. For Going Incognito: Superhero In Disguise
Channel your best off-duty superhero with this easy Avenger in disguise look.
Marvel superhero fans have an ongoing joke that every character wears the same “disguise” when they are going undercover (none of which are really very good disguises at all). It’s become such a universal look that many fans have taken to cosplaying not as the superhero version of their favorite character, but as the incognito hero on the run.
Pulling together this look is easy. Just grab your favorite zipping hoodie, a ball cap, and sunglasses and you’re all set. If you want to make sure people know you’re a specific character, you can always wear a cap with their logo or hide a t-shirt beneath the jacket that shows off their symbol.
Avoid having to explain who you are every ten seconds with a baseball cap that features a beloved superhero logo.
In the MCU, a hoodie makes you virtually indistinguishable from any ordinary person.
Stay completely under the radar with a classic (and affordable) pair of sunnies.
4. For Belching Out Your Bob’s Burgers Pride: Tina Belcher
Our favorite awkward teenager thankfully has a delightfully simple outfit.
Cartoons are notorious for keeping their characters in the same clothes for most episodes, which makes them one of the easiest to cosplay. Tina Belcher from Bob’s Burgers is a great example of this, as with just a few wardrobe staples you can go from regular you to beloved tell-it-like-it-is, angsty, Jimmy-J-obsessed Tina. Plus, if you find yourself going somewhere with a group, you can always pull together more Belcher family members.
Tina isn’t Tina without her blue tee.
No Tina Belcher costume is complete without a pair of thick-framed glasses.
Add a pair of playful socks to get that signature Tina style.
This skirt will move with you, whether you’re running to class or dancing with Jimmy, Jr.
These classic and timeless shoes will last long after your Tina cosplay is finished.
5. For Looking Truly Marvel-ous: Ms. Marvel
Take your inspiration from Kamala Khan herself with this Ms. Marvel-inspired look.
While cosplaying a superhero isn’t typically the easiest costume, Ms. Marvel is one of the best to attempt for a new cosplayer who wants to get some use out of all of the separate components. It’s perfect for those who want a more modest costume, too, especially compared to many cosplay options when it comes to female characters.
True, this one may feel a little more cobbled together than some others on this list, but if there’s anyone who would appreciate that vibe, it’s mega-nerd Kamala Khan (aka Ms. Marvel herself). Combine a cute dress from Her Universe with some red staples from your own closet, or grab them from Amazon for anything you don’t already have. Wear it on Halloween or to the theater to see The Marvels when it comes out this fall.
Get Ms. Marvel’s classic superhero dress at a bargain.
Sport some bright red leggings beneath the dress for modesty
Whoever said you needed a cape to be a superhero? Opt for a daintier neck scarf instead.
These red low-top sneakers will come in handy long after cosplay season is over.
Complete the look with a blue eye mask so not a soul will be able to tell who you are.
6. For Saving the Universe on a Budget: Steven Universe
There might not be a simpler costume on this list than this Steven Universe look.
Steven Universe is one of the easiest characters to cosplay because ultimately, you only need three things—and if you’re a fan, you may already own two of them. Just pair your favorite red star shirt with your most comfortable pair of jeans and roll up the bottoms a smidge to get that cuffed look. Buy a cheap pair of red flip-flops and you’ll be all set to have an easy, recognizable, and comfortable cosplay for any occasion.
You can’t complete this look without this iconic star T-shirt.
These are stylish jeans you’ll be happy to wear over and over again.
You probably already have a pair of flip-flops to complete this costume, but these Havianas are a great second option.
7. For Showing You’re More Than Just Ken: Ken Dance Battle Look
Practice your dance moves if you plan to sport this simple-yet-effective Ken cosplay.
One of the easiest costumes you can make is also incredibly timely–a dancing Ken from the Barbie movie. Sure, it may not be as recognizable at a glance, but it gives you a whole lot of reasons to strike a pose and strut your stuff any time someone is guessing what you are. Plus, it makes for the perfect last-second group costume.
Start your Ken Dance Battle look with a plain black tee.
Add on a pair of comfortable black chinos that you can move around in—trust us, you’ll want to have a full range of movement for this one.
Add a pop of color with a pair of Barbie pink socks.
These black dress shoes are lightweight and easy to move in whenever the beat drops.
8. For Looking Super From Your Own Closet: Mario
Sure, this one also works with a buddy in green, but we love an easy Mario costume.
Mario is easily one of the most recognizable characters on this list, which means that even getting close to his signature look will have people sharing Mario jokes with you all night long. Just pair a set of denim overalls with a red shirt and some brown boots. Grab some white gloves and a red hat (something as simple as a red ballcap will work) and add a painted or taped-on “M” logo. Go the extra mile by drawing or painting on a mustache, or buy a cheap novelty version at your local Halloween store.
You can shop this in red for yourself, and don’t forget to get the green version for your Luigi.
Whether you’re wearing them for fashion or function, we love these denim overalls from Dickies.
Keep those paws clean with a pair of cotton gloves.
If you want a hat that looks like Mario’s, opt for a newsboy style that has some volume.
If you don’t already have a pair of solid work boots, this pair will get you through any plumbing disaster.
9. For Showing Off Your Dark Side: Wednesday Addams
For a dark and moody take on your cosplay, look no further than goth queen Wednesday Addams.
One of the best parts about dressing up as Wednesday Addams is that there are plenty of ways to capture her iconic look with whatever you already have on hand. Pair just about any knee-length black dress with some dark makeup and black tights, and voila! You have a Wednesday ready to go. If your hair is long enough, style it into two braids to get that immediate recognition. Whether you’re going for Wednesday from her Addams Family days or Wednesday from the Netflix TV series, you’re sure to get recognized with pretty minor effort on your part. Just remember to hold off on smiling if you want to do Wednesday proud.
For a classic Wednesday vibe, opt for a plain black dress with a white Peter Pan collar.
Cover every inch of skin in black to really commit to the look.
Classic with a twist, these platform Mary Jane shoes will be a wardrobe favorite that you reach for again and again.
10. For Raising Some Hellfire: Eddie Munson
This fan-favorite from ‘Stranger Things’ is easy to replicate with items you might already own.
Eddie Munson is a fairly recent addition to the Stranger Things franchise, but it didn’t take long before he stole fan’s hearts. His look is pretty easy to replicate with items you may already have on hand, and even for the products you have to purchase, each one can be worn with other outfits for a long time to come. Plus, no matter where you’re headed in your cosplay, whether it’s a Halloween party or Comic Con, you’ll be comfortable all day and night.
Channel Eddie’s loveable charm with his signature Hellfire Club tee.
Any stellar Eddie Munson costume would be incomplete without a denim vest.
When Eddie got down to business in Hawkins, he donned his leather jacket.
Get that ‘80s nonchalance with a pair of ripped skinny jeans.
To really commit to the look, accessorize with a guitar pick necklace.
For a stylish shoe you can wear long after the cosplay is over, reach for these Reeboks.
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