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Store-bought couple costumes all have the same problem. Someone else at the party is wearing the exact same one.
DIY fixes that. And honestly, making it together is half the fun.
Put on a playlist, lay everything out on the living room floor, and spend a Saturday afternoon building your look. By the end, you’ve got a costume nobody else has and a pretty great date.
This list is made for exactly that.
Each of these 12 ideas comes with a supply list, a realistic build time and a thrift store tip to save you money.
Watch for number 4. It’s the most romantic costume here, and it’s made almost entirely from secondhand finds. And number 12 is the one to pick if you love getting a little messy.
Your DIY costume starter kit
You’ll use these supplies again and again, so grab them first.
- Hot glue gun and extra glue sticks
- Fabric scissors and safety pins
- Cardboard and foam board
- Acrylic or fabric paint and a few brushes
- Duct tape in silver and black
- Old sheets or thrifted fabric
With this kit, most of the costumes below are just a few extra pieces away.
1. Pirate captain and mermaid
An adventure love story.
The captain wears boots, a long thrifted coat, a belt with a toy sword and a bandana. Make a tricorn hat from cardboard covered in black fabric.
The mermaid wears a sequined or shimmery skirt with a shell-themed top. Add a seashell crown or a cardboard trident painted gold.
Supplies: thrifted coat, cardboard, black fabric, sequined skirt, shells, gold paint.
Build time: 2 to 3 hours.
Thrift tip: check the formal wear rack for sequined skirts. They’re often cheap after prom season.
2. Star-crossed astronauts
Two lovers drifting through space together.
Wear matching jumpsuits or overalls. Add paper or foil mission patches, silver duct tape on your boots and “oxygen tanks” made from painted soda bottles strapped to your backs.
Finish with glow-in-the-dark star stickers.
Supplies: jumpsuits, silver duct tape, two soda bottles each, silver paint, star stickers.
Build time: 1 to 2 hours.
Thrift tip: painters’ coveralls from a hardware store make perfect astronaut suits.
3. Vampire and victim
Classic drama, easy to make.
The vampire wears a black dress or suit with a cape lined in red. Plastic or paper fangs finish it.
The victim wears light colors with two “bite marks” drawn in red lipstick, a loose shawl and a little fake blood.
Hand the vampire a goblet for photos.
Supplies: black outfit, red fabric for the cape lining, fangs, red lipstick, fake blood.
Build time: 1 hour.
Thrift tip: an old red satin sheet makes a great cape lining.
4. Ghostly bride and groom
Here’s the romantic one.
Find a vintage dress and an old suit at a thrift store. Fray the hems, rip a few edges and mist them lightly with gray fabric paint so they look faded.
Add a secondhand veil, white gloves and a bouquet of dried flowers.
Pale face paint with dark, hollow eyes completes the ghostly look. It’s a love story that goes beyond the grave.
Supplies: vintage dress, old suit, gray fabric paint, veil, dried flowers, white face paint.
Build time: 2 to 3 hours.
Thrift tip: bridesmaid dresses in white or cream are often under $15 secondhand.
5. Mad scientist and creation
A playful role reversal.
The scientist wears a white lab coat, goggles and rubber gloves.
The creation wears silver or metallic clothes, teased hair with colored streaks and makeup that looks like electric sparks. Make neck and wrist “bolts” from cardboard and foil.
Supplies: lab coat, goggles, metallic top, foil, cardboard, colored hair spray.
Build time: 1 to 2 hours.
Thrift tip: a long white button-up shirt works as a lab coat if you can’t find one.
6. Day and night
A symbolic, pretty pair.
Day wears light or pastel clothes decorated with paper suns and cotton ball clouds. Night wears dark colors with stars and a shiny moon.
Use warm pinks and golds on Day’s face and cool blues and silvers on Night’s face.
Carry a clock or hourglass between you to tie the two together.
Supplies: light and dark outfits, cardstock, cotton balls, glitter, face shimmer.
Build time: 1 to 2 hours.
Thrift tip: a navy or black velvet top makes Night look extra rich.
Halfway there. Keep scrolling for number 12, the messiest and most fun build on the list.
7. Sock hop sweethearts
Bright, retro and great for dancing.
One partner wears a poodle skirt, a tucked-in top and a curled ponytail with a scarf. The other wears rolled jeans, a white tee, a leather jacket and a pompadour.
White sneakers for both.
Add felt poodle or record appliqués for that diner feel.
Supplies: full skirt, felt, scarf, jeans, white tee, leather jacket, hair gel.
Build time: 1 hour.
Thrift tip: a plain circle skirt plus a felt poodle is cheaper than buying a poodle skirt.
8. Zombie prom dates
Prom night, but make it undead.
Buy old formal wear from a thrift store. Then ruin it on purpose with scissors, paint and tea stains.
Add ripped lace, dirt smudges and fake blood. Pale skin, sunken eyes and dark lips complete the look.
Carry wilted flowers or a broken tiara.
Supplies: thrifted dress and suit, tea bags, brown and gray paint, fake blood, makeup.
Build time: 2 hours, plus drying time.
Thrift tip: the uglier the outfit, the better. Look for bold 80s and 90s prom dresses.
9. Forest fairy and guardian
Enchanting and very customizable.
The fairy wears wings made from wire and sheer fabric, covered in glitter and leaves.
The guardian wears earthy colors, faux moss and antlers made from sticks and tape. Both use green and brown makeup.
Carry a small lantern or wear flower crowns.
Supplies: wire, sheer fabric, faux leaves and moss, sticks, a headband, face paint.
Build time: 2 to 3 hours.
Thrift tip: craft stores sell faux moss and leaves in cheap bags every fall.
10. Ringmaster and circus star
Bright, bold and a guaranteed entrance.
The ringmaster wears a red jacket with gold ribbon sewn or glued along the edges, a top hat and a cardboard cane.
The circus star wears a sparkly leotard, a tutu or flowing skirt and stage makeup.
Supplies: red jacket, gold ribbon, top hats, a leotard, tulle.
Build time: 1 to 2 hours.
Thrift tip: a red blazer from the women’s section is often cheaper and fits the ringmaster look perfectly.
11. Mummy pair
Cheap, classic and cozy.
Tear old sheets into strips and soak them in tea to age them. Wrap them over warm base layers and secure with safety pins or fabric glue.
Dust with gray eyeshadow for a worn look.
Supplies: two old sheets, tea bags, safety pins, gray eyeshadow.
Build time: 2 hours (including drying time).
Thrift tip: wear leggings and a long-sleeve top under the wraps. It’s warmer and much easier to put on.
12. Painter and masterpiece
Here’s the messy, fun one.
The painter wears an apron, a beret and carries a cardboard palette with dabs of real paint.
The masterpiece wears an outfit splattered with bright paint, or one inspired by a famous painting. Face and body paint make you a walking canvas.
Build it in the backyard. It’s the best part.
Supplies: apron, beret, cardboard, old clothes, acrylic paint, face paint.
Build time: 1 hour, plus drying time.
Thrift tip: a white or pale thrifted shirt is the perfect canvas.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the easiest DIY couple costume?
Vampire and victim or sock hop sweethearts. Both use mostly clothes you already have.
How much does a DIY couple costume cost?
Most on this list cost $20 to $50 for both of you if you shop at thrift stores.
How far in advance should we start?
Give yourselves one weekend. Most builds take 1 to 3 hours, but paint and tea stains need time to dry.
What’s the most romantic DIY couple costume?
The ghostly bride and groom or day and night. Both tell a love story.
Make it together, wear it together
The best part of a DIY couple costume isn’t the compliments at the party. It’s the afternoon you spent making it.
Pick your favorite, grab your supplies and have fun building it side by side.
Want more ideas? These creative DIY couple costume ideas and DIY couple costumes that are easy and adorable have lots more.
Short on time? Try these zero-prep couple costumes for procrastinators.
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