25 Work-Appropriate Halloween Costumes That’ll Score Major Points at the Office
They're also easy to wear all day.
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Halloween is here, and this year, it falls on a weekday! While that can seem like a bummer, but it provides the perfect chance to show off your costume at work. Your coworkers may not normally see this side of you, so take the opportunity to wow them with a fun Halloween costume (but, of course, you'll want to keep it work appropriate and comfortable so you can wear it all day).
From favorite food products (hello, Sriracha!) to beloved Disney characters and historical figures, these work-appropriate Halloween costumes require minimum effort to score maximum points. Waited until the last minute? Our Jolene costume has only two components, or you could go the super easy route with a vintage sheet ghost. Got a little more time to prepare and a lot more love of DIY? Dress up as a picnic blanket or an ice cream sundae. Whatever you choose, your boss will be thrilled by your team spirit, and you won’t feel so out of your element that you’re unable to get any work done. It’s a win-win for everyone involved!
So go forth and start and start planning your getup. These work-appropriate options are great for groups and even specific professions, such as nurses. And if you don’t find something you like here, check out our guides to trio Halloween costumes and the best Barbie Halloween costumes for further inspiration.
Cheese Board Costume
You'll be the hit of the office with this clever cheese board costume! Wood blocks, craft beads, and wired burlap ribbon stand in for charcuterie, cheese cubes, and all the rest of the fixings. You can pair it with any outfit to keep it work appropriate.
Wagon Wheel Costume
This quick and easy country music Halloween costume pays homage to "Wagon Wheel" by Darius Rucker. To make, sift through your local thrift store (or shop online) for a small decorative wheel. String some suede cord through the spokes to make a necklace. (We suggest doubling up the cord to help hold the weight.) Then, don your best country duds and finish with cowboy boots!
Groovy Ghost Costume
You'll get your coworkers laughing with this clever (and comfortable) idea. Plus, it's easy to slip off if you have a serious meeting or Zoom call.
Jolene
If you're looking for a last-minute costume that'll still garner a near universal seal of approval, pop on a red wig and Jolene name tag. (Click here to download our template.) Voila! You're the classic Dolly Parton song.
Hot Dog
Hot diggity dog! Grab three of your best office buddies to create this whimsical costume, which your co-workers are sure to eat up. It doesn't take more than a few simple supplies, like card stock and felt, to create.
Get the tutorial at Studio DIY.
Serena Williams
With word the most successful person ever to whack a tennis ball is calling it quits, a Serena Williams costume is more timely than ever. It's inexpensive to put together, too, with cheap racquets available at Amazon if you don't have one handy.
Get the tutorial at The House That Lars Built.
Vintage Clown
Clowns are always slightly disturbing, which is why they make such great Halloween costumes. Obviously, makeup is key to creating the effect, as are all those great pom poms everywhere and the poufy collar.
Get the tutorial at The Merrythought.
Lava Lamp
Despite the sheer grooviness of this garb, blogger Sam Ushiro swears it isn't too tough to nail. We say take your time to get all the elements just right, like those shapes on the shirt that replicate the "lava" bubbles with upholstery foam and spray paint.
Get the tutorial at Aww Sam.
Sriracha Bottle
What is it about food costumes that make them almost universally hilarious? Maybe it's the entire concept of dressing up like a giant version of your favorite edible. And this one's especially hot!
Get the tutorial at Sarah Hearts.
Sandy in 'Grease'
This one's for Olivia. The Sandy character in the film Grease is so iconic, especially after her bad-girl transformation, that you only really need to suggest the look. Go for a wide-neck black shirt, fitted black pants, high-heeled red shoes and red lips. Just remember: no smoking in the office.
Get the tutorial at Living After Midnite.
Party Hat
Get the party started with this inventive, ingenious celebration chapeau that uses a hula hoop to flair out the skirt bottom. The brighter the colors of the dress you use as a base, the better.
Get the tutorial at A Joyful Riot.
Witch in Webbed Cape
This bewitching getup is all about the seriously cool spiderweb cape, which, believe it or, is created without sewing a stitch. Add a tall black hat with a peak and you'll look spooktacular.
Get the tutorial at Delia Creates.
Ice Cream Sundae
Here's a "sweet" Halloween ensemble for procrastinators that's easy-peasy to make last minute. Fabric paints are used for the chocolate sauce and sprinkles—just don't forget to add the cherry on top.
Get the tutorial at Club Crafted.
Essential Oil
Fads may come and fads may go, but the essential oil craze just many prove eternal. You're probably going to have to slip the costume off while you're at your desk, but it's so clever we're bending our comfy rule.
Get the tutorial at A Beautiful Mess.
Galaxy Skirt
You'll shine like all the stars in the sky at work in this flat-out gorgeous DIY skirt. It's not only dusted with colors like purple, blue and gold, it even lights up.
Get the tutorial at Dream a Little Bigger.
Bandits
You and your work husband will steal the show at the office with this costume so simple (but good) it's almost criminal. We love the crowning touch—those hilarious bags of loot.
Get the tutorial at Say Yes.
Picnic Blanket
Pay homage to one of warm weather's best pastimes with a yummy costume that's a (summer) breeze to put together:
Make the Costume: Fashion a dress from red-and-white gingham fabric (or simply buy one), and embellish it with paper plates, kids’ faux foods, and utensils. (Add plastic ants, if desired!) A fascinator made from a paper-covered cardboard disc and more picnic fixin’s furthers this feast for the eyes.
Get the tutorial at Oh Yay Studio.
Minnie Mouse
Who's the leader of the club that's made for you and me? We all know it's Minnie, of course! Or at least it will be when you rock this adorbs costume that's a combination of items you can buy and items that are homemade, like the ears and headband and yellow shoes.
Get the tutorial at Dream a Little Bigger.
Alice in Wonderland
Go down the rabbit hole this Halloween as Alice in Wonderland. We love the addition of the little bottle with the "drink me" tag, which is as effortless to do as the rest of this charming costume.
Get the tutorial at Keiko Lynn.
Asparagus
Sometimes, it seems, you really are what you eat...btw, if you don't want to take off the costume you can bend those stalks when you need to sit down.
Make the Costume: Gather five lime green pool noodles. Cut leaves from purple and green felt; you will need 10 to 12 for each stalk. Adhere to noodles, concentrating them at the top, with spray adhesive. Bundle pool noodles with purple duct tape. Tape a pair of suspenders to the back of the noodles and drape over shoulders.
Jill Gleeson is a travel journalist and memoirist based in the Appalachian Mountains of western Pennsylvania who has written for websites and publications including Good Housekeeping, Woman’s Day, Country Living, Washingtonian, Gothamist, Canadian Traveller, and EDGE Media Network. Jill is the travel editor for Enchanted Living. Learn more about her journey at gleesonreboots.com.
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