20 Halloween Costumes for Women You'll Actually Wear Again

The costumes that actually get worn all night are built on regular clothes with one accessory doing the heavy lifting. A witch is a black slip dress and a hat. A cat is a black bodysuit and a headband.

The store-bought polyester version looks worse in photos, itches by nine, and ends up in the trash by November. Build your costume from pieces you already like, add the one prop that makes it obvious, and you get better pictures plus a dress you'll wear again in December.

Classic Witch

Start with a black satin slip dress or a black long-sleeve midi, then let a wide-brim pointed hat do the announcing. Skip the tattered store dress. A dress with a real shape looks like you meant it, and a hat covers hair you didn't have time to fix. Black knee-high boots keep you warm outdoors and add height under the hat. If the party runs long, a sheer black mesh top under a slip dress keeps your arms warm without hiding the shape. Carry a small black crossbody with a chain strap so your hands stay free for a drink and a broom. Dark plum lipstick finishes it faster than any face paint.

Gothic Vampire

Deep red velvet or burgundy satin is the color to chase here, not the cape. A burgundy corset-style top over a black maxi skirt with a thigh slit gives you the drama without a costume-shop feel. Black lace-up boots keep the skirt from dragging and hold up better than heels on a bar floor. A long black wool coat on top works as the cape and keeps you warm walking between parties. Fangs are optional. A choker with a red stone and a sheer red lip finish the story. Keep the bag black and structured so it disappears against the skirt.

Red Devil

Red on red is what makes a devil costume land, so pick a red satin mini dress or a red bodysuit with red faux-leather pants. The horns headband is the only prop you need, and a velvet version looks better in flash photos than plastic. Red pointed-toe pumps push the color all the way down, but red block heels are the smarter choice if you'll be standing for hours. A black patent shoulder bag keeps the outfit from turning into one flat block of color. Skip the pitchfork after the first hour, it just gets set down somewhere and lost.

Sweet Angel

An angel costume falls apart when the white looks cheap, so use one good white piece: a white satin slip midi or a white lace corset dress. Feather wings in the small-to-medium size clear doorways and car doors. Giant wings look great in one photo and get ripped in a crowd. White strappy heels finish the look at a dinner party. White cowboy boots are the trend swap right now and hold up better outside. A gold halo headband, gold hoop earrings, and a white satin mini bag keep it from washing out. If you're doing a devil-angel duo, match your fabric weights so the photos line up.

Black Cat

Black on black works because every piece is something you'll wear again. A long-sleeve black bodysuit over black high-rise faux-leather leggings is warmer and more forgiving than a catsuit. Black ankle boots with a chunky sole let you walk all night. Clip a faux-fur tail to your waistband, and a velvet cat-ear headband does the rest. Draw the nose and three whiskers on each cheek with liquid liner instead of buying a mask. A black belt bag keeps your keys and phone flat against your body, which matters when you're dancing in a bodysuit.

Glow Skeleton

A skeleton print catsuit or a skeleton print long-sleeve top with matching leggings covers the whole costume in one purchase. Look for a glow-in-the-dark bone print if you'll be somewhere with black lights. Wear it under an oversized black bomber jacket so you can layer up on a cold walk and strip down inside. Black platform sneakers keep the whole thing comfortable enough to trick-or-treat with kids. Paint half your face in white and black skull makeup for photos, or skip it and add a skeleton hand bag clip. A black bucket hat covers hair and keeps the costume feeling like a real outfit.

Cowgirl

Denim, fringe, and a hat do all the work, and every piece is a normal fall outfit. Pick a brown suede fringe jacket over a white lace-trim cami with dark straight-leg jeans. Tan cowboy boots with a Western stitch are easier on your feet than heels and grip better on wet sidewalks. A felt cowboy hat in tan or cream is the piece that makes it a costume, so buy a real one. Add a wide leather belt with a big oval buckle. A small tan crossbody keeps the fringe free to move. If you want the pink cowgirl version, swap the jacket for a pink satin Western shirt.

Pirate

Skip the plastic set and build this from a brown corset, a white off-the-shoulder blouse, and a black high-rise mini skirt or black faux-leather pants. The blouse tucked into the corset creates the classic outline without the itchy fabric. Brown knee-high lace-up boots are the piece that sells the costume and keeps your legs warm. Tie a red bandana as a headband or a striped sash at the waist. Stacked gold hoop earrings and layered coin necklaces beat a cardboard sword. A brown crossbody with a buckle keeps the theme going. For a chilly night, throw a long black wool coat over the corset, it looks like a captain's coat.

Modern Ghost

A white bedsheet ghost only works when the styling under it is sharp. Cut two eye holes in a crisp white sheet, then wear it over a white ribbed tank, white wide-leg jeans, and white knee-high boots. White sunglasses over the sheet's eye holes are the detail that turns it into a real costume. Long white satin gloves add the same effect. Carry a white shoulder bag on top of the sheet, not under it, so you can actually reach it. If the sheet gets annoying, take it off and you're still dressed in an all-white outfit. Wear a white sports bra underneath in case the sheet slips during photos.

Mermaid

A sequin midi skirt in teal or seafoam green is the base, so pick one with a fishtail hem if you can find it. Pair it with a shell-print bralette or a pearl-trimmed corset top in blush or ivory. Sequin skirts snag on rough seating, so check the chair before you sit. Silver strappy heels match the scales, but silver jelly sandals are the comfort choice. Clip pearls and shell pins into loose waves. Add a starfish hair clip and a pearl choker. A shell-shaped clutch is a nice touch, but a small iridescent clutch works if you can't find one. Keep the bag small so the sequins stay visible.

Woodland Fairy

A sage green or blush chiffon dress with a handkerchief hem is the base for this one. The floaty fabric moves when you walk, which is the whole point of a fairy costume. Small sheer wings in green or gold sit better than big plastic ones and don't hit people. Tan lace-up ballet flats or gold strappy sandals keep you light on your feet. Weave a flower crown or a vine wreath into your hair. Add a moss green cardigan if you're outside. Tie a small drawstring pouch to your wrist instead of carrying a bag. Gold glitter on the cheekbones photographs well under indoor lights.

1920s Flapper

A beaded or fringed drop-waist mini dress in black, gold, or champagne is the obvious base. Fringe hits your legs when you dance, so make sure the hem is at least mid-thigh. Black T-strap heels with a low block heel are period-correct and much kinder to your feet than pumps. A pearl long strand knotted at the chest, a feather headband, and a long black satin glove set finish the look. Carry a black beaded clutch. If the venue is cold, a faux-fur stole or shrug keeps your shoulders warm without hiding the beading. A short finger-wave style at the temples sells the era.

Disco Queen

Sequins, flares, and platforms. A gold or silver sequin halter top tucked into high-rise flared jeans gives you the 70s look in pieces you'd wear to a concert. Metallic platform sandals add height and are steadier than stilettos on a dance floor. Tuck the top in fully so the flare shows. Big gold hoops, a satin headscarf tied at the back, and oversized round sunglasses do the styling. A metallic crossbody keeps your hands free. If sequins scratch, wear a nude bodysuit underneath. This one holds up all night because the jeans are the same jeans you already wear.

Mob Wife

Leopard print and faux fur are the two pieces to prioritize. A black faux-fur coat over a leopard print slip dress is the version everyone recognizes. Black patent pointed-toe pumps push the glamour, but black block-heel slingbacks last longer standing at a bar. Pile on gold: chunky hoops, a layered chain necklace, a stack of rings. Big black sunglasses inside are part of the joke, so wear them. A black quilted shoulder bag with a gold chain is the finishing piece. Red lipstick and a voluminous blowout complete it. Keep the coat on for photos, it's the whole costume.

Retro Cheerleader

A pleated mini skirt in one bold color with a matching cropped sweater or a tennis-style top is easy to find and easy to wear. Pick a college color combo like navy and white or red and white so it looks intentional. White ankle socks with white leather sneakers keep you comfortable and on theme. Tie a high ponytail with a matching ribbon. Carry pom-poms for the first photo, then swap to a small white crossbody. A varsity-style cardigan in the same color is the layer for a cold night. Skip anything sheer and keep the skirt at mid-thigh so you can dance and sit without checking it.

Tooth Fairy

A white ruffle corset dress with a full mini skirt is the base, and it's a dress you'll wear next summer. Iridescent fairy wings in a smaller size make it obvious without knocking things over. White lace-up ballet flats or white satin heels work depending on the venue. Carry a giant prop toothbrush, or pin a few costume teeth to a small white crossbody. A silver tiara and a pearl choker add sparkle. Add a white fur shrug if you're outside. Silver glitter liner on the eyes is the detail that ties it together. This one lands because it's cute, cheap, and different from the fairy everyone else picks.

Scarecrow

Overalls and plaid are the whole outfit, and it's the warmest costume on this list. Pick loose denim overalls over a red and black plaid flannel shirt, then roll the pant cuffs above tan work boots. Tuck raffia or straw pieces into your sleeves, collar, and pant cuffs. A straw hat or a floppy felt hat with a sunflower pinned to it does the rest. Draw stitched-mouth lines and rosy circles on your cheeks with eyeliner and blush. A tan canvas tote holds candy and extra straw. This one is built for hayrides and outdoor parties where a dress would freeze.

Zombie Bride

A white or ivory satin slip dress is the base. Buy a cheap one from a thrift store, since you'll be tearing the hem and smearing gray makeup on it. A tulle veil, torn at the edges and clipped to loose waves, is the piece that makes it a bride. White lace-up boots hold up better than heels after the dress gets shredded. Carry a bouquet of dead or dried flowers instead of a bag, and keep your phone in a white thigh garter. Gray face makeup, dark under-eyes, and a smudge of fake blood at the lip are enough. A gray cardigan draped over one shoulder adds warmth and looks like it fell off.

Bat

A black long-sleeve bodysuit under a black mini skirt gives you a base you'll reuse. The wings are the costume, so look for a black wing cape that attaches at the wrists and drapes from the shoulders. It moves when you raise your arms and packs flat in a bag. Black ankle boots with a pointed toe keep the outline sharp. A bat-ear headband and a black choker finish it. Black tights keep your legs warm without covering the skirt. Skip the bag entirely and use a black belt bag under the wing cape. Dark burgundy lipstick and a smoky eye photograph better than full face paint.

Vintage Pin-Up

A red polka-dot swing dress or a red halter dress with a full circle skirt is the piece to find. Pair it with a red lipstick and a hair scarf tied in a bow at the top of the head. Red pointed-toe pumps are period-correct, but red ballet flats are the choice if you'll be on your feet. A black cropped cardigan handles a chilly night without hiding the neckline. Add a white pearl stud set and a red belt to define the waist. Carry a black structured top-handle bag. The circle skirt spins when you move, which makes for the best photos of the night.