Back in October of 2009, during Girlfriend Social’s very first autumn, I wrote a post about how ridiculous it was to spend a small fortune on Halloween costumes.
All these years later, things have only gotten worse. Walk into a pop-up Halloween store now, and it’s remarkably easy to spend $50 for flimsy, single-use polyester outfits that come folded into a plastic bag and smell like industrial chemicals.
If you and your friends want to dress up this year, you do not need to drop half your monthly fun budget on an outfit you will wear for exactly four hours.
In fact, the most memorable, funny, and photogenic costumes are almost always the ones you pull together yourself using thrift store finds, closet basics, and a little creative styling.
Whether you’re dressing up with your best friend, coordinating a four-woman squad, or hosting a low-key costume party, here is how to save serious money while having the best group costumes in the room.
The “Costume Thrifting Date” (A Low-Pressure Fall Friend Meetup)
Before we get into the ideas, here is a golden rule of adult friendship: turn your costume prep into the social event.
If you’re looking for a fun, low-stakes fall activity to do with a new friend from Girlfriend Social or an old pal you haven’t seen in months, invite her on a Value Village or Goodwill hunt.
Grabbing a hot pumpkin coffee, wandering through the thrift aisles, and trying on eccentric vintage blazers or ridiculous hats together is ten times more fun than scrolling Amazon alone in your bed.
Cheap DIY Halloween Costumes for Best Friends and Duos
1. The Practical Magic Sisters (Sally & Gillian Owens)
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The Vibe: 90s autumnal witchy cottagecore.
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What you need from your closet/thrift store: Oversized knit cardigans, long floral slip dresses or denim skirts, messy updos or loose 90s waves, and carrying a bottle of red wine or a potted herb.
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Total Cost: $0 to $10 (you probably already own 90% of this).
2. Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion
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The Vibe: Late-90s pastel kitsch and absolute confidence.
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What you need: Shiny metallic or pastel slip dresses (one baby pink, one sky blue), silver platform heels or sneakers, chokers, and Post-it notes as a prop.
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Why it works: Instantly recognizable, wildly comfortable, and legendary girlfriend energy.
- Total Cost: $10–$25 per person
3. The Broad City Duo (Abbi and Ilana)
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The Vibe: Unhinged millennial best friends running through the city.
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What you need:
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For Ilana: A crop top, denim cutoffs, bold hoop earrings, bike lock around the waist, and messy curls.
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For Abbi: A classic blue bandage dress (or a casual hoodie with jeans), carrying an oversized Bed Bath & Beyond coupon.
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Total Cost: $0–$15 per person
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4. Wednesday and Enid (Wednesday)
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The Vibe: The ultimate grumpy-goth meets hyper-colorful-optimist contrast.
- Total Cost: $0–$15 per person
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What you need:
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Wednesday: All-black outfit, braided pigtails, white collared shirt underneath a black sweater, and a totally deadpan facial expression.
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Enid: The brightest pastel sweater in existence, a pink beret, and colorful barrettes.
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Cheap DIY Group Halloween Costumes for 3–5+ Friends
5. The Clueless Squad (Cher, Dionne, and Tai)
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The Vibe: High-fashion 90s Beverly Hills prep.
- Total Cost: $5–$20 per person
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What you need: Plaid skirts or blazers, knee-high socks, Mary Jane shoes or loafers, and oversized shopping bags.
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Budget tip: Any thrift store schoolgirl or houndstooth skirt works—you don’t have to buy the exact yellow suit to make the reference clear.
6. The Spice Girls
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The Vibe: 90s girl power.
- Total Cost: $0–$20 per person
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What you need: Assign each friend a persona based on clothes they already own:
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Posh: Little black dress and slicked hair.
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Sporty: Track pants, sports bra, sneakers, high ponytail.
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Baby: Pastel pink baby-doll dress and pigtails.
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Scary: Animal print top and bold curls.
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Ginger: A red dress or Union Jack tee and red lipstick.
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7. The Golden Girls (Dorothy, Rose, Blanche, and Sophia)
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The Vibe: Florida retirement royalty.
- Total Cost:$10–$20 per person
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What you need: Head to the thrift store for oversized pastel cardigans, floral blouses, chunky costume jewelry, aviator reading glasses on a chain, and carry a prop wicker purse or a cheesecake pan.
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Why it wins: It is an absolute crowd-pleaser and the warmest homage to lifelong female friendship.
8. Donna and the Dynamos from Mamma Mia!
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The Vibe: 70s disco bohemian.
- Total Cost: $15–$35 per person
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What you need:
- Start with flared jeans or pants you already own, then add a shiny halter top, dramatic scarf or bell-sleeve layer, platform shoes if you already have them, and DIY microphones. Matching colors matter more than screen-accurate jumpsuits.
Put on ABBA, and you’re instantly the life of the party.
The “Pun & Low-Effort” Emergency Costumes (Under $15)
If it’s October 29th and you just got invited to a party:
- Social Butterflies: Wear standard casual clothes, grab a $3 pair of wire fairy wings from the dollar store, and tape printed-out social media logos (or nametags saying “How’s everyone doing tonight?!”) to your shirt.
- The Spice Girls (The Literal Kitchen Version): Wear aprons or matching tees, and tape printed labels for Cumin, Paprika, Oregano, and Garlic Powder to your chests.
- Error 404: Costume Not Found: Plain white T-shirts with black Sharpie marker reading:
Error 404: Costume Not Found. Perfect for tech friends and programmers. - wo-Men in Black: Wear black pants or a blazer, a white shirt, and sunglasses.
- Scooby-Doo Gang: An extremely thriftable option that works for groups of 2–5 people.
- Black cats: black clothes + eyeliner whiskers + cheap ears.
- Barbies: Each woman chooses a different Barbie look using clothes she already owns.
- Ceiling Fans: shirts that say “GO CEILING!”
- Witches’ Coven: Wear all black, add witch hats, and give everyone a different witch personality.
- Tourists: Hawaiian shirts, sunglasses, tote bags, cameras.
- Pink Ladies from Grease: Pair black pants with a pink jacket or cardigan and a scarf.
- Powerpuff Girls: Wear blue, pink, and green outfits with black accents.
- Total cost for the above should be $0-$15 per person
5 Rules for Saving Money on Halloween Costumes
- Shop Your Closets Before Picking the Costume: Before your group decides on a costume, figure out what everyone already owns. Instead of starting with, “We’re all buying disco jumpsuits,” ask who has a black dress, who owns plaid, or who already has cowboy boots. Then choose a costume theme around the pieces your group already has. You may find that most of the costume is already sitting in your closets, which means less shopping and a much cheaper Halloween.
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Pick the Character Around the Shoes: Never build a costume around heels you can’t walk in. If your group is walking through neighborhood streets or downtown, pick costumes that accommodate sneakers or flat boots.
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Splurge on One Key Prop, Thrift the Rest: Don’t buy a full boxed outfit. Buy one distinct $5 prop (like an inspector badge, a specific hat, or a pair of cat-eye sunglasses) and source the clothing from your existing wardrobes.
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Host a Pre-Halloween “Closet Swap”: Have three or four girlfriends bring over old Halloween accessories, scarves, jackets, and costume jewelry. Pool your resources on a living room rug—you’ll be amazed at what you can build for free.
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Focus on the Group Chemistry: The secret to a great costume isn’t cinematic movie-grade realism; it’s the fact that you and your friends committed to the bit together with genuine enthusiasm.
Halloween as an Adult: Making Room for Play
As adult women, we spend so much of our year being serious: managing careers, paying mortgages, handling family logistics, and taking care of responsibilities.
Halloween gives adults a rare excuse to tap into pure childhood play, dress up in something ridiculous, and laugh until your stomach hurts with women you love.
If you don’t have a crew to dress up with this year, don’t sit home alone wishing you did. Reach out to local women through our Girlfriend Social City Directory, host a cozy spooky movie night, or join a local fall group. Your village is out there—sometimes it just takes a pair of witch hats and an open calendar to find them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest way to make a group Halloween costume?
The cheapest method is a “closet-first” theme like The Spice Girls, Men in Black, or Vampires, where every member uses clothing they already own (suits, athletic wear, little black dresses) and only purchases one low-cost shared accessory (like matching sunglasses, fangs, or boas).
Where can I find friends to celebrate Halloween with if I’m new to a city?
Look for local community events in October, such as neighborhood pumpkin walks, trivia nights, or fall festivals. You can also connect with local women directly on Girlfriend Social to organize a casual thrift-store run or group outing.
How do you coordinate a group costume without someone dropping out?
Keep the financial barrier low. When group costumes require everyone to buy a specific $60 dress, people often back out. Choose flexible themes where each friend can customize her look using items she already feels comfortable wearing. Or make it an outing to the thrift store so you can all work together.
Find Your Fall Crew
Looking for women who share your sense of humor, your love for cozy autumn activities, and a good DIY project? Join Girlfriend Social for free or explore members in your area in our Local City Directory.