Guides

Pretty Lazy But Awesome Men’s Halloween Costumes

Halloween is a week away and some of you geeks have had your costumes ready since last Halloween. For the rest of us, it may be an eleventh hour Hail Mary sort of situation. If you’re not looking to throw a sheet with some eye holes over your head, we’ve got you covered with our updated, annual list of some pretty rad costumes you should be able to pull together with a mixture of items already hanging in your closet, fished out of the dollar bin at your local thrift store, borrowed from a friend, or overnighted on Amazon. That and a little bit of ingenuity should get you there.

KEN AND BARBIE

Grab all the neon you can get your hands on and go to town. Works on its own or as the ultimate couples costume.

Ryan Gosling and Margot Robbie on set of The Barbie Movie.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

  • Colorful Shirt
  • Colorful Shorts
  • Visor

FINISHING TOUCHES

  • Rollerblades
  • Fanny Pack
  • Knee Pads

IF ALL ELSE FAILS

Get a spray tan.

COBRA KAI

You get to walk around barking phrases like, “The Best Defense is More Offense” and randomly high-kicking the air (or your drunk friends).

cobra kai on LEO edit
Cobra Kai 2021, Photo Courtesy of Netflix

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

  • Gi

FINISHING TOUCHES

If you want to truly nerd out, and you’re on the side of Miyagi-Do, get a Den-den Daiko drum. Want to be Johnny Lawrence? Grab a Coors Banquet to carry around. Otherwise, stick to:

  • Tie Headband

IF ALL ELSE FAILS

Can’t get your hands on a Gi? A black tee, black wide-leg pant, and black ribbon tied around your forehead should do the trick.

CARMY FROM THE BEAR

Steal all the hearts and make every guy jealous as their girlfriends stare at you by being this year’s hottest messed up chef.

The Bear, 2022, Photo Courtesy of Hulu

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

  • White T-Shirt
  • Apron

FINISHING TOUCHES

Get the hair.

IF ALL ELSE FAILS

Draw some tattoos on your arms, fry lots of onions and garlic so your clothes stink like a sweaty kitchen, and don’t shower for three days.

GORDON GEKKO

You get to play the rich asshole for a night.

gordon gekko on LEO edit
Wall Street 1987, Photo Courtesy of 20th Century Fox

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

  • Pleated Trousers
  • Bold Tie
  • Suspenders
  • Fake Gold Watch

FINISHING TOUCHES

  • Strong Hair Gel

IF ALL ELSE FAILS

Throw on a jacket, the gel, and voila—you are now Patrick Bateman from American Psycho. Or any Wall Street asshole.

BEVERLY HILLS COP

Even if you’re not as funny as Eddie Murphy in his most iconic role, Axel Foley, this is your chance to break out those comedy skills.

beverly hills cop on LEO edit
Beverly Hills Cop 1984, Photo Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

  • Black Zip-Up Hoodie
  • Gray Sweatshirt
  • Fake Toy Gun
  • Jeans
  • White Adidas Sneakers

FINISHING TOUCHES

  • Black Wrist Watch
  • Badge
  • Black Aviator Glasses

IF ALL ELSE FAILS

A varsity jacket will also do the trick. Or just throw on a hoodie and keep yelling at your crotch to “look alive!”

CLARENCE FROM TRUE ROMANCE

Ole faithful, yes, but always so cool, so cool, so cool. No brainer if you’re needing to do a couples costume.

clarence from true romance on LEO edit
True Romance 1993, Photo Courtesy of Warner Bros.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

  • White Crewneck Tee
  • Light Blue Jeans
  • Hawaiian Shirt
  • Elvis Glasses

FINISHING TOUCHES

Slick back that hair. Get your gal pal to play Alabama Worley.

IF ALL ELSE FAILS

Can’t get your hands on a Hawaiian shirt and Elvis shades? Just throw on a black bomber jacket, red hoodie, and blue jeans.

GEORGIE FROM IT

If this doesn’t work for you, it’s a great costume for your kid… cause balloon. 

georgie from it on LEO edit
It 2017, Photo Courtesy of Warner Bros.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

  • Yellow Raincoat
  • Black Pants
  • Red Balloon

FINISHING TOUCHES

  • Paper Boat

IF ALL ELSE FAILS

Red balloon?

KEVIN FROM HOME ALONE

Get used to hearing, “Ya filthy animal” all night long.

kevin from home alone on LEO edit
Home Alone 1990, Photo Courtesy of 20th Century Fox

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

  • Red Sweater
  • Army Green Pants
  • Hairdryer
  • Toy Gun (with strap)

FINISHING TOUCHES

Get two buddies (or your kids) to play the thieves. Or, add these to the outfit:

  • Beanie
  • Scarf

IF ALL ELSE FAILS

Reverse that. You play the thief and get your kid to play Kevin.

EDGAR ALLEN POE

Kids these days will have no idea who you are. But if you happen to be a brunette and you own a black suit, the bird sells the rest. 

edgar allen poe on LEO edit
Edgar Allen Poe

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

  • Black Three-Piece Suit
  • White Shirt
  • Ascot / Short Neck Scarf
  • Fake Crow

FINISHING TOUCHES

  • Mustache

IF ALL ELSE FAILS

You can always just tell them you’re Sweeney Todd. Or any Tim Burton character for that matter. 

THE ADDAMS FAMILY

If you need a costume for the whole family… it doesn’t get better than this.

the addams family on LEO edit
The Addams Family 1991, Photo Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

  • Lots of Black or Victorian Looking Clothes
  • A Large Family

FINISHING TOUCHES

  • Face Paint
  • Hand Prop
  • Mustache

IF ALL ELSE FAILS

Pick one. Any one of them, and go it alone.

MARRIED WITH CHILDREN

Another great family costume. No one born after 1985 will know who you are, but it’ll be a big hit with Gen Xers.

married with children on LEO edit
Married with Children 1987, Photo by Aaron Rapoport

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

  • Anything Made Before the 80s
  • Friends or Family (to fill out the rest of the gang)

FINISHING TOUCHES

Those hairdos though…

IF ALL ELSE FAILS

You can go as any quintessentially 80s family. Or the Full House segment of WandaVision.

LLOYD DOBLER

Short of wearing a white sheet over your head with some eye holes in it, this is as easy and lazy (but, yes, awesome) as it gets, and it even comes with your personal soundtrack. 

lloyd dobler on LEO edit
Say Anything 1989, Photo Courtesy of 20th Century Fox

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

  • Trench Coat
  • Joggers
  • Vintage Band T-Shirt (ideally The Clash)
  • Boombox

FINISHING TOUCHES

  • 80s Dunks

IF ALL ELSE FAILS

Any oversized coat, pants, and tee combo should work as long as you have that boombox. Now, if you don’t have a boombox (does anyone these days?), make one out of cardboard.

THE DUDE

For one, you know you’ll be comfortable. Secondly, people will be so excited to see you. Who doesn’t love The Dude?

the dude big lebowski on LEO edit
The Big Lebowski 1998, Photo Courtesy of Gramercy Pictures

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

  • White T-Shirt
  • Shorts
  • Robe
  • Sunglasses
  • Sandals

FINISHING TOUCHES

The beard / wig combo will go over big. Order lots of White Russians. Get a friend to play Walter.

IF ALL ELSE FAILS

Wear your coziest sweater or robe and don’t brush your hair for a week.

PULP FICTION

If you own a black suit and black tie (or know someone who does) it doesn’t get much easier or cooler than this. 

pulp fiction on LEO edit
Pulp Fiction 1994, Photo Courtesy of Miramax Films

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

  • Black Suit
  • White Shirt
  • Black Tie
  • Black Shoes
  • Fake Toy Gun

FINISHING TOUCHES

The hair is the part of this costume that sells this. Nail that, and you’ve got a hit on your hands. Get your lady friend to play the Uma role and tell some tomato jokes.

IF ALL ELSE FAILS

Get yourself a Kangol hat and just be Samuel L. Jackson. Doesn’t get much cooler than that. 

DANNY ZUKO

If you have REALLY waited until the last minute, this is the costume for you.

danny zuko on LEO edit
Grease 1978, Photo Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

  • Black Jeans
  • Black Tee (roll those sleeves)
  • White Socks
  • Hair Grease
  • Black Shoes

FINISHING TOUCHES

  • Comb (behind the ear)
  • Pack of Cigarettes (rolled up in your sleeve)

IF ALL ELSE FAILS

If you can’t manage to make this work, Halloween is just not your holiday.

FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS

Ok so this is not exactly lazy… but there are variations of this you can make work.

fear and loathing in las vegas on LEO edit
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas 1998, Photo Courtesy of Universal Pictures

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

  • Printed Collar Shirt
  • Blue Shorts
  • Bucket Hat
  • Sunglasses
  • Briefcase
  • Cigarette Holder

FINISHING TOUCHES

  • Fly Swatter
  • Get a Friend to Play Gonzo

IF ALL ELSE FAILS

If you can just get a hold of the hat and glasses, just throw on your zaniest outfit combo. If they still don’t get it, you can always tell them you’re Gilligan.

CLINT EASTWOOD

Got a poncho?

clint eastwood on LEO edit
Dollars Trilogy 1964, Photo Courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

  • Jeans
  • Poncho
  • Hat

FINISHING TOUCHES

  • Cowboy Boots
  • Some Facial Scruff

IF ALL ELSE FAILS

Make a makeshift poncho out of a Mexican style blanket.

INDIANA JONES

Bonus One: You get to be Indiana Jones for one night. Bonus 2: You get to be Indiana Jones for one night. 

indiana jones on LEO edit
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom 1984, Photo Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

  • Cargos
  • Safari or Khaki Shirt (rip off that sleeve)
  • Brown Fedora

FINISHING TOUCHES

  • Shoulder bag
  • Toy Machete
  • Sweat

IF ALL ELSE FAILS

Anything khaki in your closet will do. Just don’t forget to tear off that sleeve.

THE GODFATHER

Got a tux burning a hole in your closet? Now is its time to shine. 

the godfather on LEO edit
The Godfather 1972, Photo Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

  • Black Tux
  • White Shirt
  • Red Rose

FINISHING TOUCHES

Some potatoes in the mouth perhaps? Slick back that do and add some silver hairspray.

IF ALL ELSE FAILS

Just wear any black suit and do a lot of squinting, mumbling, wiping of the face, and repeat “I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse.”

UFC CHAMP

If you’ve put in a lot of time at the gym, this is your chance to let those abs shine. Hope you didn’t forget Leg Day.

kamaru usman on LEO edit
Kamaru Usman, Photo by Mike Roach/Zuffa LLC

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

  • UFC Shorts
  • UFC Belt

FINISHING TOUCHES

  • Flag of Choice
  • Fingerless Gloves
  • Makeshift Cauliflower Ears (out of your kid’s Play Doh)

IF ALL ELSE FAILS

Throw on the shortest shorts in your closet (or some bike shorts) and strut your stuff.

THE TERMINATOR

We know that you know SOMEONE who has a black leather jacket to loan you.

the terminator on LEO edit
The Terminator 1984, Photo Courtesy of Orion Pictures

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

  • Black T-shirt
  • Black Jeans
  • Black Leather Jacket
  • Fake Toy Gun
  • Black Wrap-Around Sunglasses

FINISHING TOUCHES

Spike up that hair.

IF ALL ELSE FAILS

Throw on a whole lot of black and rehearse a couple Terminator catchphrases like: “Hasta la vista, baby” and “I’ll be back.”

ELLIOT FROM E.T.

Otherwise known as, the world’s laziest costume. A crowd pleaser none the less.

elliot from e.t. on LEO edit
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial 1982, Photo Courtesy of Universal Pictures

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

  • Blue Jeans
  • Red Hoodie
  • E.T. Doll

FINISHING TOUCHES

Get your lady friend to play Gertie. Leave a trail of Reese’s Pieces everywhere you go (who doesn’t love candy on Halloween?)

IF ALL ELSE FAILS

Wrap your baby up in a blanket and have him play E.T.

RUN-DMC

If you have two buddies, or even two children, this is as comfy of a costume as they come.

run-dmc on LEO edit
Run-DMC

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

  • Tracksuits
  • Black Fedoras or Kangol Hats
  • Glasses
  • Gold Chains
  • White Adidas

FINISHING TOUCHES

  • Boombox

IF ALL ELSE FAILS

Wear any and all Adidas swag you, or a friend, own and travel in a trio all night long. 

FREE GUY

Don’t have a good day, have a great day.

Free Guy 2021, Photo Courtesy of 20th Century Studios

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

  • Blue Button-down (short sleeve)
  • Khakis
  • Stripe Tie (ideally yellow)

FINISHING TOUCHES

  • ‘Guy’ Name Tag
  • Wrap Around Sunglasses

IF ALL ELSE FAILS

You can just say you’re a J.Crew catalog model.

THREE MEN AND A BABY

If you have two buddies at just as much of a loss for a costume as you are, this could be it. Bonus if one of you has a real baby to drag along.

three men and a baby on LEO edit
Three Men and a Baby 1987, Photo Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

  • White Shirt
  • Open Tie
  • Suspenders
  • Fake Baby (or real)

FINISHING TOUCHES

  • 80s Gold Watch
  • Caterpillar Mustache

IF ALL ELSE FAILS

Any oversized shirts out of your closet will do. Just make sure you have, well, three men and a baby.

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