26 Upcycled Costumes for Halloween

Use what you have to make one of these upcycled costumes for Halloween! This is a great way to simplify costumes, and most are cheap to make!

I love making costumes, but I also love simplifying the process. I often upcycle clothing to make Halloween costumes. I get to reuse details to make it easier and faster. It’s pretty easy to find basic solid clothing, and they are often already in your closet.

I divided the list into the main item of clothing or object that gets upcycled. Some of these even use more than one item. There are costumes for adults, girls, boys, and dogs. There is something for everyone!

I have some Upcycled sewing patterns that would make great bases for costumes! It makes sewing so fast and easy!

Why Make DIY Costumes?

I love to make DIY costumes for my kids for lots of different reasons. I love that I can make something unique that they want and that they’ll love. We live in a cold area so I always have to plan costumes to be warm so that they don’t have to wear a jacket or coat over it.

I almost always save money by reusing fabric and clothing from my stash and around our home, and I have found that reusing clothing saves me time.

Homemade DIY costumes use stronger and more durable fabric that will last through months and years of dress up and play time. I love that the costumes will last longer than one night of trick-or-treating.

What is Upcycling?

Upcycling is to reuse material to create something better than the original. I usually use this to describe when I’m sewing adult clothing into clothing for children or I’m sewing clothing into an accessory or house item.

Upcycling saves time, saves money, saves the environment, and saves memories. Save time by reusing details from the original shirt. Save money by using something you already have.

Save the environment by keeping t-shirts out of the landfill. Save memories by reusing a favorite adult t-shirt for your toddler or child.

Do you like to make costumes? Try one of these:

Upcycled Costumes for Halloween

Use what you have to make one of these upcycled costumes for Halloween! Some of these upcycle just one item, and some of these upcycle multiple items!

Upcycled T-Shirt Costumes

Star Wars Inspired T-Shirts with Free SVGs

Make some Star Wars inspired t-shirts with free SVG cut files. They are great for easy t-shirt Halloween costumes or just everyday tees.

DIY Witch Costume

Learn how to make an easy DIY witch costume by adding a skirt to a black t-shirt! The lace makes the perfect details. Add a witch hat, black shoes, and a DIY witch broom for a fun Halloween costume!

DIY Pincushion Costume

Learn how to make a DIY pincushion costume with a red t-shirt and a strawberry headband. Wear a t-shirt and jeans for this sewing inspired costume.

Easy DIY Pirate Costume

Make this DIY pirate costume for an easy Halloween costume. It’s perfect for a child with a big imagination and uses stuff from their closet.

DIY Cupcake Costume

Learn how to make a DIY cupcake costume with felt, felt balls, and a t-shirt turned into a dress. This costume is fun and cute, but it’s so easy to wear!

DIY Ghost Mermaid Costume

Learn how to make a DIY ghost mermaid costume by adding a mermaid tail to a white t-shirt! Add a white cape for the perfect mix of cute and creepy.

Easy DIY Lobster Costume

Learn how to make an easy DIY lobster costume by upcycling a sweatshirt with felt. This costume is easy to wear, and the felt is easy to sew!

Upcycled Men's Shirt Costumes

DIY Lab Coat for Kids from a Men's Shirt

Learn how to make a DIY lab coat for kids from a men’s shirt. This is a great upcycle project to make a simple Halloween costume!

DIY Werewolf Dog Costume

Learn how to make a DIY werewolf dog costume by upcycling a button up shirt and a piece of denim. It is just cutting and one row of sewing.

DIY Duke Caboom Costume

Make an DIY Duke Caboom Costume that is perfect for kids or adults. Use clothes from your closet and some DIY no-sew accessories! Upcycle a white men's shirt and some white pants for a really easy costume!

DIY Elsa Frozen 2 Jacket Dress: Upcycled

Make a DIY Elsa Jacket that goes over her dress that she wears to travel to the Enchanted Forest. Upcycle a button up shirt and a curtain to make it easy to sew!

Easy DIY Werewolf Costume

Make an DIY werewolf costume with this easy sewing tutorial. Add fur to gloves and pants while wearing a button up shirt with a fur collar.

DIY Anna Frozen 2 Dress

Make a DIY Anna Dress out of two men’s button up shirts and some trim. Sew and upcycle the dress that she wears to travel to the Enchanted forest.

Upcycled Dress Costumes

DIY Skeleton Mermaid Costume

Make a DIY skeleton mermaid costume with iron-on vinyl and an upcycled black dress. It’s a creepy cute costume that’s so fun!

DIY Princess Jasmine Costume

Learn how to make a DIY Princess Jasmine inspired costume for Halloween. Upcycle some adult dresses and add rhinestones and a crown for a great outfit.