Last Updated on October 11, 2020 by Natalie
Halloween is a holiday that really appeals to my theatrical side. I still dress up, even if I don’t necessarily go all out nowadays. Here are some great Halloween costumes, because even expats and travelers need costume ideas! You may already own most of the costume. Some are practical and can be worn again after Halloween. All are fairly compact and will travel well.
As always, please be aware that there are things that could be very offensive in other cultures. I strongly recommend researching customs in the area you are living or visiting before dressing up. When in doubt, don’t. For expats living in and travelers going to the USA for Halloween, almost anything goes. Enjoy these funny Halloween costumes!
Really easy costumes for Halloween for expats and travelers
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Fun and Easy Costumes for Expats and Travelers
If you’re looking for a great place to celebrate, consider Halloween in Salem, Massachusetts!
Adorable Troll
You can easily make a troll headband or grab a cute wig, pair it with color coordinated clothes and you have an easy troll costume! It’s easy to reuse the pieces as you travel, so the only extra thing you’re carrying is a troll wig. It’s an easy costume and each family member could participate, with their own fun color.
Medusa
I love this costume idea so much. You may already be traveling with the perfect dress. Carrying around plastic snakes for awhile wouldn’t add too much weight to your luggage. However if you are flying, you will probably get your bag searched. If you choose this costume, please share your pictures with me!
It’s a cool costume.
It took me less than 5 minutes to gather these items from my closet. Easy-peasy Pirate!
Pirates
This list has so many DIY ideas for adults and kids. For the traveler or expat, it can be as easy as checking out your own closet. That’s what I did! Grab a shirt that flows (preferably in a solid color, like white, black, or brown), a pair of fitted pants, a belt, and a head band. Bonus points if you travel with knee-high boots that you can wear, too.
Pig in a Blanket
Grab your sweet little piggy accessories and a great throw or small blanket and have yourself a warm and cozy Halloween. This is an awesome idea for colder climates, too. It would be really cute for a baby in a baby carrier, too!
Click here to purchase your piggy accessories.
Snapchat Filter
If you’re a make up whiz, why not create your own Snapchat filter? On your face, of course and not in the app. You could do both, of course. Don’t let me stand in your way. However, for the purpose of Halloween, you only need to do the costume.
Queen of Naps (or Everything)
Grab yourself a tiara and make a t-shirt that says Naps. Or be the Queen of Everything. Whichever interests you the most. Today, it would be naps for me.
A Cactus
This could be really easy or even really, really easy. Since green pants aren’t always that easy to find, you could wear brown pants, a green shirt, and a green hat. You can paint your face green and add balloons. Or you can buy cactus accessories.
You and your child can have matching costumes. Neat!
A Pineapple
I don’t know why I love pineapples so much, but I do. I buy pineapple themed clothing whenever I can find it. Naturally, being a pineapple for Halloween is something that I think is really cool. I’d definitely wear either one of those dresses more than once. What a refreshing costume!
Cookie Monster
I mean, it’s cookie monster. I can think of so many variations on this. Maybe you can dress up like a monster and wear a shirt that says “Naps” (nap monster). Or wear a shirt that says “Coffee” (coffee monster). Or wear the costume above, which looks like comfy pajamas. Perfect!
Oscar the Grouch
Oscar the Grouch is such an awesome character and having a heavier costume in October is a good plan. Even a sweatshirt won’t weigh you down and may come in handy if you are traveling during the colder months, even in central Mexico. It can be a little chilly, though not usually as cold as it gets in Ohio in late October.
Mom-bie
Give a punny take on the old Zombie costume. Zombie make up can be simple or complex. Wear your homemade “Mom” shirt and you have a funny, punny costume that other moms will love. They may even attempt to high-five you in solidarity. Or just be a zombie, because it’s fun!
Scarecrow
A pair of jeans, a plaid shirt, a bit of make up, and a floppy hat are all you need to create an awesome scarecrow costume. Add in some make up and it’s unmistakable.
Black & White Film Star
This one can be as complex or as simple as you’d like. Pack a black, white, or black and white outfit and bring along white and black make up. One of my friends did a similar concept a few years ago and I adored the results! If you are feeling really ambitious, you can create a cute sign that looks like it came right out of your favorite silent movie.
Robber
Black pants, a black and white striped shirt, and a cheap black mask from a costume store and you are ready to rumble! You can add accessories (such as a back hat or bag with a $ drawn on it), but they aren’t necessary. The one above is perfect and easy to pack.
Sugar Skulls Make Up (or Mask)
I’ve saved the best for last! Sugar skulls/Catrina costumes are so beautiful here in Mexico and these make up ideas celebrate that. Most of these are pretty involved, but even something easy and simple can have a big impact. Here is one tutorial and a wonderful kids’ version. It can also be used as a learning tool for you and your family, by researching the cultural importance of the Catrine and Catrina in Mexico.
This is my third attempt at Catrina makeup.
Still Need More Costume Ideas?
Check out more costumes that travel well in luggage and are also easy to make! Most can come together pretty easily (depending on where you are in the world when you start planning). If you’re heading to the US in October, you’ll be able to find everything you need quite easily. Mexico also has a lot of easy-to-find options starting in October.
What’s your favorite costume idea? Have you traveled with costumes before? Were they easy or more involved?
Originally published on September 21, 2017.
