19 genius ways to turn a little black dress into a Halloween costume

Updated

2019-09-17T21:20:00Z

  • If you don't want to spend tons of money on a Halloween costume this year, consider creating a DIY look.
  • After all, tons of costumes can be created using a little black dress that you likely already own.
  • To dress as a cat or witch, for example, you'll only need an extra accessory or two in addition to a dress.
  • You can also dress as Disney characters like Ursula or Minnie Mouse using the style staple.
  • Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

Creating your own Halloween costume is a great alternative to buying an overpriced ensemble from a national chain that everyone will be wearing anyway.

Putting together a DIY costume doesn't have to be an over-the-top production, though. There are lots of clever, hassle-free looks you can make just by adding some accessories to a little black dress.

From Ursula to Wednesday Addams, here are 19 costumes you can make with an LBD and some quick crafting.

Become the nefarious Ursula from "The Little Mermaid" this year.

Channel this iconic Disney villain.
Buena Vista Pictures

What you need:A black dress, blue eye shadow, red lipstick, and a white wig.

Go as a Snapchat or Instagram filter and wear anything you want.

You can even turn it into a group costume.
Courtesy of Oh Happy Day

What you need: A black dress, c olorful paper, scissors, a glue stick, a headband, a hot glue gun, and other materials.

See the complete tutorial on Oh Happy Day.

Pair your dress with lots of red accessories to be a vampire.

Draw on some fake blood to complete the intimidating look.
Andreas Rentz/Getty Images

What you need:A black dress, red lipstick, dark eye shadow, black stockings, and a black cape if you have one.

Throw it back to the '90s and go as Posh Spice.

Wear one of Victoria Beckham's most iconic looks.
Brenda Chase/Stringer/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

What you need:A black dress, black heels, and dark eye shadow.

Throw on some scarecrow makeup and get on with your day.

Head out the door in whatever you want to wear.
Courtesy of Bangtsikitsiki

What you need:A black dress, a plaid shirt, scarecrow makeup, and a straw hat if you have one.

See more from Bangtsikitsiki on Instagram.

Turn yourself into the next Bachelor or Bachelorette.

You can wear clothing from your closet.
ABC

What you need:A black dress and a rose.

Go as Holly Golightly from "Breakfast at Tiffany's."

This is a classic costume.
Courtesy of The Joy of Fashion

What you need:A black dress, pearl jewelry, gloves, oversized sunglasses, a hair tie, and red lipstick.

See the complete tutorial on The Joy of Fashion.

Throw on some whiskers and be Minnie Mouse this year.

Pile on the blush to create a cartoonish effect.
The Joy of Fashion

What you need:A black dress, mouse ears, a red bow, face makeup, and pearl jewelry.

See the complete tutorial on The Joy of Fashion.

Or turn those whiskers into a Beanie Baby costume.

This one is a fun throwback.
Courtesy of Roxy James

What you need:A black dress, black gloves, face paint, scissors, a hot glue gun, construction paper, and ribbon.

See the complete tutorial on Roxy James.

Draw on some spots and be a leopard.

This isn't your average cat costume.
Courtesy of Roxy James

What you need:A black dress, cat ears, and face paint.

See the complete tutorial onRoxy James.

Transform into Wednesday Addams from "The Addams Family."

Take this costume to the next level with some black lipstick.
Courtesy of Paper and Stitch

What you need:A black dress, a white collared shirt, and braids.

See the complete tutorial on Paper and Stitch.

Coordinate with a friend or partner and go as the "women with bunny ears" emoji.

A simple but clever costume.
Courtesy of The DIY Playbook

What you need:A black dress (or a T-shirt and shorts, as pictured above), and a hair bow or bunny ears.

See the complete tutorial on The DIY Playbook.

Create a Cruella de Vil costume in minutes.

Add some pops of red to your black and white ensemble.
Courtesy of The Sorry Girls

What you need: A black dress, white faux-fur shrug, red gloves, red lipstick, red shoes, and a cigarette holder.

See the complete tutorial on The Sorry Girls.

Go as the mischievous cat from Dr. Seuss' "The Cat in the Hat."

Put a fun spin on the classic cat costume.
The Joy of Fashion

What you need: A black dress, white gloves, paper, scissors, a hot glue gun, markers, face paint, cat ears, and a feather boa to create a tail.

See the complete tutorial on The Joy of Fashion.

Buy a black and white wig and be Sia this year.

Transform a garbage bag into Sia's signature oversized hair bow.
Courtesy of Bunny Baubles

What you need:A black dress, white blazer, wig, large bow, and red lipstick.

See the complete tutorial on Bunny Baubles.

Create a witch costume in minutes.

Elevate this costume with your darkest lipstick.
Courtesy of Roxy James

What you need:A black dress, a pointed hat, and a wand.

See the complete tutorial on Roxy James.

Be a flapper from the 1920s.

Pay tribute to this fashionable era.
Courtesy of A Beautiful Mess

What you need:A black dress, a long-strand pearl necklace, red lipstick, long gloves, and a headband.

See the complete tutorial on A Beautiful Mess.

Add some feathers to your dress to look like a black swan.

Padma Lakshmi attends Heidi Klum's annual Halloween party in 2018.
Juan Dela Cruz/STAR MAX/IPx/AP

What you need:A black dress, tiara, feathers, and heavy makeup.

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More: Features Halloween Little Black Dress Halloween Costumes

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