Even as an adult, dressing up in a costume or two is my favourite part of celebrating October 31. There’s something fun and freeing about becoming someone – or something – else for an evening and one of the many reasons I love Halloween so much.

But what happens when you’re completely stumped for a killer costume idea?

If you’re having trouble coming up with a costume idea you love, I hope one of these will spark a bit of inspiration.

1. BECOME ONE OF YOUR FAVOURITE POP CULTURE CHARACTERS

What TV shows, movies or books are you digging right now? Pick your favourite and become one of those characters!

These days I’m obsessed with two Netflix series – “Stranger Things” and “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina” – and I’m becoming characters from both this October. 

How I pulled items out of my closet to create my own take on Rita Skeeter from the Harry Potter series + my secret for creating costumes in your closet.

2. TAKE A SPIN THROUGH YOUR CLOSET

Seriously – costumes pulled from my closet are my favourite! Plus, they’re affordable and quick. Back in 2012, I put together a Rita Skeeter costume I pulled from items I already had in my closet, and it remains one of my favourite I’ve created myself.

3. CREATE A COSTUME FROM £20 AT YOUR LOCAL CHARITY STORE

Grab £20, head to your local thrift store or Goodwill, set a time limit of 30 minutes and see what costume you can pull together! This would be especially fun to do with a group of friends – maybe even as a micro party.

4. RECREATE A COSTUME FROM CHILDHOOD

When I was 9 or 10, I decided I was going to dress up as a black bat for Halloween. I made a bat ear headband, a batwing cape and pulled together black clothing from my closet. Then on Halloween night, everyone proceeded to tell me what an adorable black CAT I was. SO disappointing…

So I recreated that simple bat costume two years ago for my niece’s Halloween-themed birthday party with much better results. If you have a favourite costume from childhood, consider recreating it!