Halloween Costume Ideas That Are Appropriate to Wear to Work
You've come to the right place if you're looking for work-appropriate Halloween costume ideas. Over the years, I've gone as a housewife, an alien, a clown, a gypsy fortune teller, an Indian, a hobo, a cow, an oversized kid, a witch, an old lady, a Ty Beenie Baby, and more. Below, you'll find a list of things to consider, some great costume ideas, and links to other articles on Halloween topics.
Workplace-Appropriate Halloween Costumes
Easy-to-Assemble Costumes
- Housewife/Househusband
- Alien
- Gypsy or Fortune-Teller
- Chef/Cook
- Hobo
- Clown
- Scarecrow
- Hillbilly
- Cowboy/Cowgirl
- Marathon Runner/Cyclist
- Hippie
- Doctor, Nurse, or Vet
Themed Halloween Costume Ideas for Groups
- Disney Characters
- Cartoon Characters
- TV & Movie Characters
- Kids Games
- Cowboys (or Pilgrims) and Native Americans
- Circus
- Cirque du Soleil
- Dr. Seuss
Easy-to-Assemble Costumes
These are costumes you can easily create from items you probably already have at home or can easily acquire from a second-hand store:
- Housewife/Househusband: This was one of the comfiest costumes I've ever worn to work. I wore my gown, housecoat, and big slippers. I carried around a new flyswatter, had my hair in those pink foam curlers, and wore white make-up to simulate cold cream. I made it on the front page of the local newspaper that year with that costume.
- Alien: You can get away with wearing virtually anything bright or shiny with this one. I took an old t-shirt and drizzled bright fabric paint all over it, wore bright warm-up pants, outrageously colorful toe socks, flip flops, and a bright-coloured wig with antennae. A caulking gun covered in aluminum foil was my ray-gun.
- Gypsy or Fortune-Teller: A flowing broomstick skirt, a bright non-matching shirt, a dozen bangle bracelets, and a scarf or two makes you a gypsy fortune teller. I bought a clear round light fixture at Home Depot to serve as a crystal ball. I found a light that changed colors that just happened to fit underneath it and added a handful of pillow stuffing and created a glowing smoky crystal ball.
- Chef/Cook: If you've got an apron, a mixing bowl, and a wooden spoon, you can become a chef.
- Hobo: Old clothes are perfect for converting to a hobo costume. You can find jackets at garage sales or thrift stores. Sew or glue some patches on—a few whip stitches is all it takes. Get some gloves that you can cut the fingers off of. Blacken your face to create the stubble-look. A stick with a bandana on the end works well for a prop.
- Clown: Colorful clothing, a few balloons, and red cheeks and nose is all you need to become a clown. Half a yard of colorful gathered trim works well for a clown collar.
- Scarecrow: Overalls work great for this, but if you don't have overalls, suspenders will do. A checkered or plaid shirt, straw hat, jeans with patches, and some raffia are all you need. Use a black eyeliner pencil to create some stitching on your face.
- Hillbilly: An inexpensive pair of Bubba teeth and some torn jeans and shirt is all it takes. Maybe a straw hat and a piece of hay for your mouth.
- Cowboy/Cowgirl. Jeans, hat, boots, and a bandana: Add a number pinned to your shirt and you become a rodeo cowboy.
- Marathon Runner/Cyclist. Pair jogging shorts with tennis shoes and a paper number pinned to your tank top.
- Hippie: Brightly colored or tie-dyed shirt, bellbottom jeans, round sunglasses, bandana, and flowers or a headband for your hair. Don't forget the peace signs.
- Doctor, Nurse, or Vet: You can usually find inexpensive scrubs at Goodwill. Add a few accessories such as a stethoscope, clipboard, etc. Throw in a stuffed cat or dog and you become a vet.
Themed Halloween Costume Ideas for Groups
These will have to be tailored to fit the size of your office staff.
- Disney Characters: I've seen Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Pinocchio, Beauty and the Beast, Alice in Wonderland, etc.
- Cartoon Characters: Scooby-Doo and the Mystery Machine gang, Spongebob, Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang, etc.
- TV & Movie Characters: Spongebob, Harry Potter, the Wizard of Oz, Ghostbusters, etc.
- Kids Games: Candyland, Monopoly, Dominoes (see photo).
- Cowboys (or Pilgrims) and Native Americans: You can create all types of scenes with cactus, saloons, and cutouts of covered wagons. For the Pilgrims/Native Americans, you can set a Thanksgiving table.
- Circus: You'll need animals, sideshow attractions, lion tamers, clowns, cotton candy and peanut vendors, trapeze artists, etc.
- Cirque du Soleil: Almost anything bizarre and theatrical would work here. This is a great theme for using your imagination.
- Dr. Seuss: You can recreate all kinds of his books' characters, including the Cat in the Hat, Thing 1 and Thing 2, the Grinch, the Lorax, Whos, etc.
How to Choose a Work-Appropriate Costume
Some issues to consider when choosing a costume to wear to work are:
- Comfort: If you're going to be wearing this costume for 8+ hours, you definitely want it to be comfortable. Comfort encompasses a lot of things. Will the costume be too hot to wear all day? Will it be too cool? Fairy princesses don't usually wear sweaters. Can you sit at your desk with the costume on? Those lovely feathered angel wings and halo may look cute at 7 a.m., but can you sit at your desk all day in them? Can you safely drive to and from work in your costume?
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Makeup vs. Mask: Experiment with the makeup beforehand if you're planning to wear it. See how many hours you can last without going crazy. You need to know how your face is going to feel. Some of the heavier makeups can get irritating by the end of the day. If you wear a mask, make sure it doesn't limit your ability to see, breathe, or drive. It would be best if you didn't put it on until you got to work. While wearing a mask, make sure you can still perform your job duties. Condensation from your breathing can also build up under masks if you wear them too long. There are some great Halloween make-up tutorials that have videos from some of the best in the biz to show you how to create some fantastic looks. See the links below.
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Suitability for the Workplace: You would think I wouldn't have to say this, but I do. There are lots of sexy costumes out there, and most are not appropriate for work. Use some common sense about what is appropriate. Think about the types of people your office interacts with and if they would be offended by your costume. If you have a lot of interaction with the public, this is critical. Please remember that you are still representing your company. Make sure you look respectable.
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Themes: Sometimes themes can create a fun atmosphere at work. Think about the layout of your office. Does it lend itself to certain themes? For instance, we once utilized a row of cubicles to create Diagon Alley from the Harry Potter movies. Each cubicle represented one of the shops and we all dressed up as shop owners. We turned off the lights, leaving only dim lamps and played the theme music from the movie. An IT department downstairs had some meandering hallways that were easily converted to small haunted houses that we were able to tour on breaks or lunchtime. Sometimes, your theme can be determined by the number of people in your department. If you have three people, you can become the three little pigs, three blind mice, the three musketeers. You get the idea.
My Experiences With Halloween at Work
I've been fortunate to work for employers who enjoy the fun of Halloween and also enjoy giving back to the community.
One employer hosted a trick-or-treating event for handicapped and under-privileged children. These children often missed out on the traditional Halloween activities because of their handicaps. On Halloween, the children were bused to our workplace and the entire office dressed up and passed out candy to them. Many of them couldn't walk and were wheeled through in wheelchairs and wagons. You could tell from the looks on their faces that they loved our costumes and the fun atmosphere.
Another employer participates sponsors a local elementary school campus and holds money-raising events all year to fund projects for this particular school. At Halloween, the children are bused to our location to trick-or-treat while we are fully decked-out in themed costumes.
More Great Halloween Costume Ideas
- Halloween Costume Ideas for Office Groups
Halloween is coming up and if you happen to work for a company that allows, or even encourages, its employees to dress up, then you've come to the right place for some ideas.
Questions & Answers
Comments
You have some solid suggestions here. I worked in a library and the staff liked to dress up for Halloween. My assistant director (a man) came dressed as Mother Goose one time using the props and costume that we had in our storyhour collection. Too funny.
Great idea. I had no any information regarding this.
Great ideas- have linked this to my pumpkin hub
Fun hub! Love the sock monkey costume. Voted up!
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Thanks Christine S, Travelwyse and GmaGoldie for stopping by.
Gma.....you are never too old for Halloween and costumes! All of the women in the domino shirts are over 40! I'm over 40 and here I sit today dressed up like a Ty Beanie Baby!
I am over 21 and therefore too old for costumes but oh, how I love this holiday. What a fantastic hub! Great ideas and more!
PS I might wear the domino shirt - love the team effort - too cool!
Love your ideas! such a difficult theme to cover! At my office we're going for a deadly sins theme! Voted up :)
You have some really great costume ideas here. With political correctness gone mad these days, we really do have to think about what we wear and your ideas are like NewOrleansFlair says, creative yet simple.
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NewOrleansFlair, I think the key is making sure the dots are big enough. Having more than one person doing it helps too.
How creative yet simple. I will definitely consider being a domino at the office this year.
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Thanks, ScottS.....when I think of Chefs I think of Gordon Ramsay. You could talk with a British accent and every other word as a beep. :) Gotta love Gordon. Of course, you go as Gordon when a restaurant owner got even.
Great suggestions! What do you recommend for a Chef? Should I just splatter myself in blood and go as a murdered chef? I think that is a good idea.
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Thanks Jeannieinabottle! That's certainly a consideration when choosing a costume. Make sure you're going to still be comfy by the end of the day.
These are great ideas. We are allowed to dress up at our office. I was Snooki from the Jersey Shore last year for Halloween. The only problem was, all the fake tanner started to smell gross by the end of the day. Just a little awkward!
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Happy Halloween to you too, Jeff! Thanks for stopping by!
Terrific suggestions, especially since Halloween is right around the corner. Happy Halloween!
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Thanks Christine, EBBlogs, Living2well, Danielleantosz and Widget!
Easy idea that I used last year, Where's Waldo, Striped shirt, glasses, touque and jeans. Super comfortable to wear.
Cheers
not always work appropriate(depends on where you work!), but I once dressed up as "barefoot, pregnant and in the kitchen" It got lots of laughs and lots of dirty looks when I went for beers after work!
I love the domino idea!
I like Jim from the Office going as "three-hole punch Jim" White tee with three dots similar to the domino dots going down the left side.
Some really great costume ideas. If its one thing you don't want to do, its offend your workmates with an inappropriate costume choice. But you want to have fun and look great to.
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I agree, What's News. I hope you've had a chance to check out my make-up tutorial hubs. I've assembled some of the best out there on the web.
I would choose to wear make-up rather than a mask it seems like a mask would keep you from completing your task at work. Thanks for the hub. Great info. I rated up.
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Good luck to you outlawbybirth! I hope they go for it, because you're right, it's a great way to lighten things up and bring out the kid in everyone.
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I put together my experience in Las Vegas when I dressed as a Sexy Cop, but I love your ideas for dressing up at work!!! That should be a requirement to lighten the atmosphere. I am going to see if we can do that where I work out, first thing monday.
Great posting and following you!
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Thanks Costumes, you're right, I think the themed costumes worn by a group are great for adding a bit of fun to Halloween. Thanks for stopping by!
I really like the idea of doing a theme with a couple of co-workers friends. For example, using your Disney character theme, do Aladdin. Have one person be Aladdin, one Jasmine, on the Genie, maybe one Jafar and then if you're silly maybe one Abu.
It's really funny when you roll up to lunch together. Last year at my office a bunch of us dressed up (not matching though unfortunately, maybe next year though), and everybody else in the restaurant thought we were total freaks. Or maybe they were the freaks because it was Halloween and they didn't dress up!
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Thank you, Ghostlytrue. You're right, some just don't get it when it comes to what is and isn't appropriate for an office setting.
Nice ideas and good hub. Tips that stuck out at me were the suitable for work - I think sometimes some people just don't get it. AND some things do offend certain people. We are all unique and we all view things a little differently. Don't wear something that you think will Offend someone, you wouldn't want to make anyone uncomfortable....
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Very good ideas "Mens Costumes", lots of my co-workers head over to GoodWill and find some bargains on stuff like that. Thanks for stopping by and adding these tips!
Another good idea to consider if you want to steer away from standard costumes is going to thrift / vintage shops and seeing what kind of authentic outfits they have that can fit different themes (70's, prom, wedding, etc.) then mix it up with some accessories (fake blood on a prom dress for Carrie or vampire teeth for something goth).
Also, you can ask someone you know that is in a different profession for their work uniform (doctor's coat, dance costume, etc.) so long as it is something that you wouldn't get in trouble for impersonating.
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Thank you for stopping by.
great idea
thank you for your posting
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Thank you very much marygarrison!
Thank you for the great costume ideas! I enjoyed reading this entertaining, and informative hub. Good work.
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You're welcome samsungbehold919!
cool ideas, thx for the hub
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Thanks Paulette! The exposure comes from writing a HubMob hub. Every HubMob hub I've done has done well. This hub was easy to write since I only told about my experiences. No research involved there. :) Write what you know about and it'll be much easier.
You've got some good ideas here!
Great hub... Looks like you're getting some primo exposure :)
Maybe someday I will make some polished hubs like this, but Im a bit too lazy.
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Thanks seeweb!
Glad you liked it, Jbullet...it's super simple and I think it looks quite classy. Not sure if you can tell, but one lady has a long sleeve shirt and the others have short sleeves. It makes no difference.
Happy Halloween!
Loving the dominoes idea!
amazing work
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J-Art, glad I could help!
Patrick, dragon, huh? That sounds pretty elaborate.
Glad I could help you both. Happy Halloween!
Halloween dresses are one of time consuming to me. as i really don't decided what will i wear, I mostly use a dragon wear lol. But this year i will do something else and this lens encouraging me how to decide. good work
great costumes! I needed some ideas for halloween this year.
thanks!
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Thanks Mayhmong! I added a link to yours. I got a chuckle out of them.
Thanks Craftsmith! I'm looking forward to it!
Interesting set of ideas. Dressing for Halloween that too to work will be gr8 fun.
Somebody's in to the Halloween spirit! Wish I couldn've seen you in an oversized kids costume! Come check out my newest hub for extra ideas if ya like. ;)
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Sabbatha and Camecoib: Thanks for stopping by. I'm glad you found the information helpful. Happy Halloween all!
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Munchkins, I'm so pleased to be your first hub to read! I am proud of the places I've worked and how they all strive to give back to the community. Handing out candy to the handcapped children was very rewarding. With you having a disabled child, you understand how much it means to them for people to treat them with respect and allow them to have fun. Welcome to HubPages, you'll find lots of authors who are entertaining and informative. If you need anything, let me know.
KCC I realy appreciate your hub. It is very informative and useful. Great work. thanks for sharing.
I really like your idea. It is very awesome to go as a set of dominoes.
Hey, Ive only been the website about an hour and your hub is the 1st I've read Im pleasently surprised its not just a lot of babblin pubish, the motives for your halloween antics are wonderful you have had some exeptional bosses, as the mother of a disabled child it was nice to see that society will step up and recognise and envolve them not what I was anticipating I would read at all from the title, the advice is good too Im panicing just a bit now as I have aparty Saturday and no costumes..hum now what sould I be???
I like the way your brain thinks, makes me feel alive listening to what your thinking, very cool...Keep it up ...PS Now I Know Why I bookmarked your page ;-) ...Hope you are doing well,
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Thank you startinganewhub!
wow great ideas!!!!!!!!!
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Blogging Erika, what a cute idea! I may have to suggest that to one of our bigger departments next year! They did Candyland last year and the whole department were pieces of the game, gingerbread people, snow princesses, etc. They decorated the floor in colored squares. It was so cute. The group next to me has started decorating today and I found out they are doing musicals. The row next to me is doing Sweeney Todd. This is going to be a fun year. My group is doing a farm full of scarecrows.
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Thanks Pepperlynn! I often matched what my kids were doing when they were little too. It's a fun idea.
Thanks Dona Rosa. Everyone should head over to your hubs after leaving here!
Halloween is the best! One year my department dressed up our entire floor as a putt putt golf course, complete with one hole in each department. We spent the entire day playing golf (in costume) on the floor. It was great!
Neat ideas! Some of my Hubs show more, like Western themes, FYI.
Haha! I love the dominoes idea! This year I am dressing up to match my son's theme. He is going as "Captain Rex" and I am going to be Padme Amidala. Good work on this hub. So many ideas!
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That is a great idea Gracenotes! Some costumes can be rather warm too. Works great when it's cold.
Thanks Shareitt! Every little bit helps, doesn't it?
great ideas, just another great idea for keeping costs down.
There may be a practical side to dressing up. One time I was visiting friends at their home in South Oklahoma. They were keen on going to all of the high school football games, one of which was on Halloween -- Friday night. Although I was one of the few folks dressed up at the game, my mask actually acted as a wind-break. The cold wind was blowing and folks were shivering, but I was loving it.
Hee hee -- I must have a thing for big cats. That evening, I had another tiger mask on.
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We actually do. The only thing I see people being guilty of is taking a little bit longer break at break time and usually spend it walking around looking at other people's costumes. Other than that, it's usually business as usual.
you just know not much work is going to get done when wearing them!
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Thank you LazarDRod.....I'm guessing you don't have many dominoes walking around your work, then? LOL
Halloween at work is always a scary time. I'm always surprised with the 'costumes' that my coworkers show up with. Great hub, by the way!
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Thank you PhoenixV!
cool hub
interested in visiting each others blog video photo hub
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Thanks Grisel! I'll have to check you out. That sounds like fun, but I can't think of anyone I look enough alike to pull that off. :) Thanks for stopping by. It's easy to join HubPages. Let me know if you're interested and I'll help you get started. Everything's free and you keep the copyrights to all your articles. Creating hubs/articles is very user-friendly.
I just visited this site for the first time and clicked on your "Hub" I guess it's called. Was reading all the Halloween commentary. Last year I had the cheapest and most fun costume ever. I was dressed as Sarah Palin and looked so much like her, I was actually stopping traffic and it wasn't even my idea. Visit Facebook and check it out - it's hilarious. I'm Grisel Padron. You have a great Hub and very interesting writing. Dying to get into it but all the details and technical issues are daunting. I'm from the generation of writing columns and articles. Great work!
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Thank you Philent! Since you're not working, you can be anything....no retraints....go wild! LOL
Currently I'm not working so I'm just a plain housewife; maybe I should try being an office girl on Halloween LOL! BTW working or not these are good tips!
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That's one of the reasons I included it, Lewisbiel. I think they are just flat classy looking done up the way my co-workers did them. It's really cute when you have several doing it. Thanks for stopping by.
Man I absolutely love the dominoes idea, especially if you're on a budget. Cool hub.
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Thank you very much, Madison!
Awesome hub...Love the ideas, thanks!!
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It really makes it fun when you see what it does for the kids. Thanks for stopping by alexchia01.
It is great that you go trick-or-treating for handicapped and under-privileged children. We should do this more often. A holiday is meaningless if we only think of ourselves. Sharing and helping others is the greatest joy. Thanks.
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LOL...that's funny Garrett. Way to improvise!
Hah, this is great. I worked at a restaurant last year and was called in on Halloween. No one told me we were supposed to wear costumes so I came in dressed in the work uniform. I got made fun of so I untucked my shirt and did other little things to look like a disgruntled employee. Scariest thing some companies will ever see!
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Thanks Khmoshsin!
Nice hub having great fun cooooooooooooool choice....impressive thing to wear according different ideas. Carry on Man you have great achievement.
Thanks
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Thanks John Alan! It's nice to work for places that care.
Very cool ideas for the work place, thanks KCC.
I think it's great about what you and your company did for those under privileged and special needs children. Way to go!
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Awww...thank you very much, Vinner!
your hubs are amazing
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Thanks onewaythinky and keniasearch!
Halloween can be fun especially if you have on your dream costume. You have suggested some very exciting halloween costume ideas. Keep up the good job.
wow. that was very impressive.. thankz.
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Glad I could help out, Chili63! When I was a kid we only got a couple of trick or treaters at our house. In my adult life, I've never had one trick-or-treater because of where we live in the country. It's kind of sad, really.
What fantastic ideas! I love Halloween, and always dress up for the kids coming around to the house, and I put up spooky decorations. You've given me some great ideas for this year's costumes. Thanks!
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Woooo hooo, Kayla! Have fun and Happy Halloween to you too!
im getin a costume happy halloween!!!
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Then somebody should really make you a doooooozie!
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