Fashion Friday: 5 last-minute Halloween costumes for your virtual celebrations

In need of a last-minute Halloween costume for your virtual event? We’ve got you covered!

Halloween is tomorrow, and the holiday is going to look quite different for those who are celebrating this year. With the COVID-19 pandemic still underway, virtual parties and costume contests are going to be the new reasons to dress up. (Of course, if you’re like me, you may simply be planning to sit on the couch and eat candy all day.)

If you’ve gotten a last-minute invite to a virtual Halloween event, however, you’ll need some sort of costume. Let’s be honest, in 2020, none of us really want to put that much effort into finding and piecing together a look — especially one that will only be seen over Zoom.

So, what are some easy last-minute costumes you can throw together for a virtual Halloween event?

A Selfie

If you’re not really feeling the Halloween makeup and accessorizing this year, why not go as yourself — just on Instagram or Snapchat?

It’ll take some arts-and-crafts time on your part, but you can create a social media frame for yourself that will make you instantly recognizable as a selfie to anyone living in the 21st century. All you need is poster board, a pair of scissors, and to print out and Instagram or Snapchat frame.

If you are feeling some accessorizing, you can also take this costume a step further and buy or make some dog ears. Stick your tongue out and you’ve got instant dog filter!

Party Animals

Animal costumes like cats and bats are automatic go-tos when you’re in need of a last-minute Halloween costume. After all, most of us own a pair of animal ears or a tail from one Halloween or another. But why not take that idea and spiff it up a little?

If you’ve got some leftover New Year’s supplies or even some crazy colorful accessories, turn yourself into a party animal! It’s creative and easy enough to do before your virtual soiree.

A Beanie Baby

My fellow ‘90s kids will appreciate this one. Remember those TY beanie babies we also used to collect in the hopes we’d be rolling in it one day? (Or just because they were pretty stinking adorable.) If you’re in need of a last-minute costume, you can turn yourself into one of those beanie babies!

Basically, all you need for this costume is some cardboard or paper cut into a TY tag. Wearing all black will make the red tag stand out more, but it’s not a necessity.

(Pro tip: This also makes for an adorable pet costume…)

The Men in Black

Some pop culture costumes require a lot of effort, but dressing up as the Men in Black is an easy task for anyone who already owns a black blazer or suit for work. Add in a tie and a pair of sunglasses and you’ll be ready to take on some aliens! If you’re living with a roommate or partner and both want to match for your virtual party, this is a great option for you!

And the best part of this costume? Normally, you’d need a pair of slacks to pull it off. If your Halloween party is on Zoom, though, you can totally get away with wearing pajama pants with your blazer and tie. What’s better than that?

Mario and Luigi

Gamers who can get their hands on a pair of overalls and Mario or Luigi hat will find another duo costume in these beloved Nintendo characters. If you’re creative and have a baseball cap or similar hat onhand, you can always try getting their initials on it. Pinterest can help for such endeavors!

A mustache is easy enough to draw on with makeup — or find from another old Halloween costume laying around somewhere. If all else fails, you can always shout, “It’s me, Mario!” Most savvy people will catch on instantly.