It seems like Halloween in Australia is becoming more and more popular. But it does mean for those of us who participate in the tradition of dressing up, we have to find an appropriate costume.
To lend you a hand, we’ve scrounged our brains and the internet for adult Halloween costume ideas to suit every occasion and budget. You’ll find scary, iconic Aussie, work appropriate, budget friendly and other costumes so you can look your absolute best for any Halloween event.
Best Scary Adult Halloween Costume Ideas
Pennywise the Clown from IT
One of the biggest horror movie hits of 2019 is undoubtedly It Chapter 2. With a little face paint and a creepy clown smile, you’ll pull off a totally creepy costume.
What you will need:
- Red, white and black face paint.
- White clothing (with some unmistakable ruffles) or a Pennywise outfit.
- A red helium balloon.
- A red wig.
Make it a couples costume:
Grab a friend or partner who can go as Georgie in his yellow raincoat or a member of the Losers’ Club
Chucky
This costume is absolute child’s play (get it, get it). Channel the evil doll Chucky with some frightening makeup skills.
What you will need:
- A red wig or hair spray.
- Black face paint for the cracks and stitches, with a white paint for detailing.
- Denim overalls.
Make it a couples costume:
Do you remember Tiffany AKA the bride of Chucky? Make your Chucky costume double as scary with a Tiffany-inspired wing woman.
Best Iconic Australian Costume Ideas
Swooping Magpie
Perhaps one of the scariest things any Australian will experience is the swooping magpie. But how do you make this into the best adult Halloween costume? Well, all you need a bike helmet with some zip ties, a magpie picture or toy AND if you’re really going for it, a bloody, bandaged eye.
What you will need:
- Bike helmet with zip ties.
- Magpie toy or picture.
Make it a couples costume:
Alternatively, you could have an accomplice dress up as the magpie. Just be sure they make a few timely clicking noises that terrify us Aussies so much during breeding season.
Kath & Kim
If you are a die-hard Kath & Kim fan, a super simple (but also nice, different and unusual) costume option is to dress up as one of the most iconic mother-daughter duos in television history. Or, if you’re not a Kath or a Kim, there are a host of other characters.
What you will need:
- Kath Day-Knight
- A wig.
- Oversized parrot earrings.
- A personalised tote.
- Kim Craig (nee Day)
- Fake tan.
- An embezzled shirt.
Make it a couples costume:
Who is Kath Day-Knight without Kel Knight? Dress up as Fountain Gates’ power couple.
Vegemite or Other Classic Australian food
A costume that is both delicious-looking and argument-inducing is the all-mighty pavlova! If you want something not as debated, no one will dare challenge you on our beloved Vegemite being anything but an Aussie treat.
What you will need:
- Vegemite
- A yellow shirt.
- Black and red fabric or markers.
- Pavlova
- A white shirt.
- Cut outs of fruit.
Make it a couples costume:
Think fairy bread, lamingtons or avocado for some of this country’s other favourite foods.
The Irwins
This one will double as an iconic Australian and a budget friendly costume. Grab a khaki shirt and a stuffed crocodile toy for a simple costume idea.
What you will need:
- Khaki shirt and shorts.
- A crocodile toy or other Australian native animal.
Make it a couples costume:
Have a friend or partner dress as another favourite Irwin or a dangerous Australian animal.
Best Work Appropriate Adult Halloween Costume Ideas
Deer
You know what doesn’t make people say, “Oh, dear!” at work on Halloween? A deer! For this easy adult Halloween costume idea, all you’ll need is some handy make-up skills and a brown t-shirt.
What you will need:
- Bronzer or brown eyeshadow.
- Black eyeliner and paint.
- White paint.
- Brown shirt
The Roaring ‘20s
Go for old-world glamour in a Gatsby-inspired costume. Ladies, hair accessories were all the rage in the 1920s, as was shorter hair and fingers waves. Pair it with a simple smoky eye, deep burgundy lip and rosy cheeks for the ultimate look. Oh, and don’t forget your flapper dress!
For the gents, this is your time to suit up. Find a boater hat online and finish it all off with a neat little bowtie.
What you will need:
- For the ladies: a beaded flapper dress, layered pearl necklaces and hair accessories.
- For the gents: a well-fitted suit, accompanying hat, dress shoes and perhaps a walking stick.
Childhood Cartoon Characters
Popeye and Olive Oyl. Sailor Moon. Inspector Gadget. Tin Tin. The Simpsons. Whatever era you’re from, there is likely a cartoon character you can embrace as your workplace Halloween costume. We love this simplified version of the Powerpuff Girls!
What you will need:
- A blue, pink or green tutu.
- A black belt (if the skirt does not have a waistband).
- An accompanying tank top.
- White knee-high socks.
- Mary Jane shoes.
- A wig and/or hair bow.
Best Budget Friendly Adult Halloween Costume Ideas
Unicorn
2019 was a massive year for unicorns. Everything from rainbow hair styles to unicorn inspired drinks and desserts lined store shelves. A unicorn also makes for a super easy, budget friendly adult Halloween costume!
What you will need:
- A stick-on horn.
- Eye-safe glitter.
- Colourful makeup.
Pop Art Makeup
Turn your face into a canvas with this bold art style. Using bright colours, you can look like a famous Roy Lichenstein or Andy Warhol painting.
What you will need:
- Black eyeliner or eyeshadow to make bold lines.
- White eyeliner or eyeshadow for highlights.
- Colourful makeup.
Bob Ross
Keep your Halloween costume wholesome this year by dressing as the beloved Bob Ross.
What you will need:
- Blue jeans.
- Button-up shirt.
- Paint palette.
- Canvas.
Make it a couples costume:
Have a friend dress up as a painted canvas, a happy tree or one of Bobs woodland creature friends.
Feature Photo by Valeria Boltneva from Pexels
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