Here’s the Easy Halloween Costume You Should Thrift or DIY This Year, According to Your Zodiac Sign

Are you feeling stumped or overwhelmed about your Halloween costume? There’s a lot of pressure to find the perfect mix of clever, cute, or super scary to impress the crowd at your IRL or virtual party, without buying a one-time-only kit or spending a ton of money. And while you could use the same costume you used a few years ago, why not repurpose thrift or found items in your closet for a versatile, and budget-friendly look?

Let the stars be your guide to a fun costume for Halloween 2021. Find inspiration within your zodiac sign and DIY your way to a fabulous costume that will make you the hit of any spooky seasonal soirée. 

You’ll Need:

• Plaid shirt
• Cardigan sweater
• Jeans
  
  Or:
  
• Turtleneck
• Overalls

Hey, Aries can be a little intense sometimes! Lean into it by paying homage to the tormented couple at the heart of “The Shining.” Jack’s plaid shirt and Wendy’s overalls and turtleneck are easily found at thrift stores for a budget-friendly ensemble. 

Tip: Buy a pair of inexpensive clip-in bangs to really nail the Wendy look without regretting your haircut. If you want to get creative, carry around a few pieces of wood to channel the “breaking down the door” scene.

You’ll Need:

• A spare bedsheet
• Gold spray paint
• Faux plant garlands
• Wings

Combine a Taurus’s love of the outdoors and your obsession with the glamorous and beautiful in a classic Greek god or goddess costume, complete with gilded accessories to decorate your bedsheet toga. (Gold spray paint is key here.) From Zeus to Persephone to Eros, the god of love, there’s no shortage of ideas and options to bring a hint of fantasy to your festivities.

Tip: If you pick Persephone as the mythological being to emulate, bring along a pomegranate and share the seeds with friends. I promise they won’t be sent to the underworld.

You’ll Need: 

• Navy jacket and skirt
• Red tights
• A ruffled blouse
• Headband
  
  Or:
  
• Chunky sneakers
• Bike shorts
• An oversized letterman jacket

Whether you dress like Julien Calloway or Max Wolfe from the 2021 reboot or Serena and Blair from the OG, your costume will be right on trend. “Gossip Girl” is huge again, and ideal for a Gemini’s clever, duplicitous nature. Rock athleisure pieces, trendy sneakers, and oversized cardigans for a 2021 look and school uniforms and headbands to throw it back to the soapy drama from the late aughts.

Tip: This is the perfect group costume, so grab a few friends to round out the core cast.

You’ll Need:

• Wool coat
• Oversized cable-knit cardigan
• A white nightgown
• Braids

Taylor herself is a Sagittarius, but Cancers can readily identify with her introspective, sensitive lyrics. Dress as your favorite Taylor era, but “Folklore” and “Evermore” are perfect starting points for an emotional homebody like you. And who doesn’t live for a big comfy cable knit cardigan? You’ve probably already got one in your closet!

Tip: Have a party attendee snap your picture outside in black and white for a “Folklore” vibe.

You’ll Need:

• Faux fur jacket
• Brown skirt or pants

Sure, it’s a bit on the nose, but stay with me here. Leos are made to stand out, and who stands out more than the king (and queen) of the jungle? Go cute and cartoony with a “Lion King” group costume or glam and regal by adding a crown and a cape to your outfit. 

Tip: The weather is only going to get chillier, so thrift that plush jacket now and use it all season long.

You’ll Need:

• Workout clothes
• A water bottle
• A headset (DIY one using pipe-cleaners!)
• An upbeat attitude

Channel Cody, Tunde, Ally, Alex, Jess, Emma, or your own PR when you clip in! Virgos love staying active, and more than a few of them nerd out on metrics and data. So what fitness trend was more popular this year and last than Peloton? Just don’t wear your spin shoes to the party — those are for cycling only!

Tip: Make a playlist for the party with your favorite spin jams.

You’ll Need:

• A bow blouse
• Bell-bottom pants
• Rings
• A feather boa
• A microphone (optional!)

Libras are one of the most fashionable and flashy signs of the zodiac, just like Mr. Styles himself. Think ‘70s-inspired Gucci-style suits, bow blouses, bell bottoms, and lots of glittering rings. 

Tip: This is the perfect time to hit up your local vintage stores for retro pieces. Think rock ‘n roll glam.

You’ll Need:

• Velvet shirt or dress
• Tarot cards
• Crystal ball

Scorpios are fascinated by the otherworldly and therefore need a costume that complements their cosmic curiosity. Pull out your favorite velvet shirt or dress and tarot deck and set up shop at the party.

Tip: Make a magic wand for all that spell-casting. This is a cute and easy DIY.

You’ll Need:

• Navy pants, or a navy dress or skirt
• A scarf
• Rolling suitcase
• Mini rolling cart with beverages and snacks,

While you may not be jetting off to a glam Halloween party in another state or country, you can certainly pretend to fly the friendly skies as a flight attendant serving up party-ready snacks and drinks.

Tip: Do you or a friend own the classic IKEA RASKOG cart? Put it to work! Just make sure you don’t roll into anyone’s elbows in the aisle.

You’ll Need:

• A sweater
• A puffer vest
• A tray of freshly-baked goodies

Martha is known for her perfectionist tendencies, so the two of you have that in common. Channel the lifestyle queen for Halloween and show up with a homemade batch of pumpkin cookies. Bonus points if you roll up in her favorite ATV. 

Tip: Don’t forget to bring a DIY bouquet as a party gift and make Martha proud.

You’ll Need:

• Brightly colored makeup 
• Black clothing if you’d like your masterpiece to take center stage

Aquarians are all about expressing themselves creatively, and what better time to do so than Halloween? Paint your face like a Warhol Pop Art portrait, go full comic book à la Lichtenstein, or pose as the Mona Lisa.

Tip: Wear shiny metallics to go as a Jeff Koons balloon dog.

You’ll Need:

• A clear umbrella
• Crepe paper

Everything’s hotter under the water. Embrace your water sign and dive deep into the ocean for inspiration and dress as a wiggly, wonderful jellyfish this year. Assembling your tentacles might take a few minutes, but look on the bright side: You’ll be more than prepared if it rains on Halloween night!

Tip: Add LED lights to your creation to make it glow in the dark.