INCOGNITO | 3 Fun Last-Minute DIY Costumes to Try This Hallowe'en

via Elle Spain

Dressing up is my jam. As kids, we'd tag along with my mom to the fabric store where she'd pick out pretty material, then magically produce the most gorgeous costumes you've ever seen. As I got older, I'd plan out my Hallowe'en costume months in advance, dreaming up ambitious DIY's that could be assembled with tape and glue since I never really learned how to sew. Some exceeded expectations, most didn't quite hit the mark (turns out it's impossible to sit down in a lifesize Smarties box). But no matter what costume came to mind, I'd always give it my all. 

Now, with two kids of my own and way too many to-do's to count, costumes are the last thing on my mind. I pick up my kids' costumes at HomeSense ($24.99 for the win), throw on my orange coat for trick-or-treating, then spend the next two weeks eating my kids' stash. This year, though. This year is different. We just got invited to a Hallowe'en party with a group of families who take this Hallowe'en thing very seriously. There's talk of sewing machines, late-night trips to craft supply stores and (duh duh duhhhh) Matching Couples Costumes. Um, I was just going to wear my orange scarf. 

Okay, Pinterest? Help? I have a white tulle skirt that I've never worn so I typed in 'DIY costumes with white tulle skirt' and happened upon this super cute ice-cream cone girl. White tank, white tutu, multicoloured popsicle sticks doubling as sprinkles pinned everywhere and a brown paper ice-cream cone hat. My husband doesn't like dressing up but he agreed on this one - a white shirt, black pants and a red apron. All we have to do is add a white paper hat and an ice-cream scoop and his costume is done.  I happened upon some other ideas that I thought I'd share in case you've been invited to a Hallowe'en party and are on the hunt for some last-minute ideas, too.

BAD BLOOD | Whether you go solo or want to achieve your #SquadGoals, I can't get enough of the Bad Blood girls. Grab any form-fitting black pieces you have, from a tight black dress to a black biker jacket and leggings. Add a pair of sexy (ideally over-the-knee) black boots. Now add a super smoky eye, a slicked-to-the-side low chignon and clear safety glasses. Training gloves will help you look extra bad-ass. 

PINK FLAMINGO | Safety pin 5 to 6 pink feather boas to a pink shirt and voila - instant flamingo! Add a pink baseball hat (you can attach a large black beak made out of construction paper to the brim if you have the time), pink nailpolish and black leggings. Oh, and if you're looking for an excuse to buy a new pair of kicks, $45 pink Converse are a super cute finishing touch.

DAY OF THE DEAD | The bright colours and spooky makeup make Day of the Dead costumes some of my all-time faves. Simply wear a boho white peasant blouse or lace-detailed white tank and a black maxi skirt, then pile on loads of bright flowers and beads. To get that signature candy skull look, face tattoos are a brilliant idea if you don't trust your face painting skills.

SEE ALL THE COSTUME DETAILS (& WHERE TO BUY 411) HERE...