15 Halloween Costumes for People Who Hate Dressing Up

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If you are reading this article, you are probably one of two things:

1. Someone who doesn't like dressing up for Halloween, but must in order to attend a party and/or adhere to social norms.

2. Someone who does like dressing up, but is close to a person who doesn't. Let's call the person who doesn't like dressing up "Greg." And you want to convince Greg that wearing a costume isn't so bad, so, Greg, can you please just look at this list and pick something to wear to the party this weekend? Honey? Greg? Please?

Well, don't worry, Greg (or whoever else might be reading). I've compiled a list of easy, minimal Halloween costumes — things that only require clothes you already own, single props to carry around, or other absolute-minimum efforts so that you can get those costume lovers off your back. (See also: 12 Sites to Find Your Halloween Costume)

1. You...With a Mustache

It's a mustache on a stick. When someone says, "Hey, where's your costume?" you hold it up to your face. Other times, you don't hold it up. Done.

2. Casual Batman

Wear a Batman half mask with whatever else you want. Also works for other superheroes.

3. Doctor Who or Amy Pond

If you dress up as the Matt Smith version of Doctor Who, pretty much all you need to do is look dapper. The BBC has a guide for dressing up as Amy Pond, although when I went as her, I just wore skinny jeans, a plaid shirt, and sneakers. If you want to go above and beyond, you can put  tally marks on your arms to help remember how many times you've seen The Silence.

4. Whatever Sport You Play...Player

Just wear your fitness gear. Go as a baseball player, hiker, yogi — whatever you have.

5. Mouse Ear

I love this ridiculous thing — it's just a mouse coming out of both ears. I imagine it's also good if you'll be somewhere that you want to block the sound of screaming children (or adults, if you're at one of the more… sophisticated haunted houses).

6. Under-Dressed Beauty Queen

All you need is a sash to wear over your clothes. Do a modern, well-recognized beauty queen or something silly or old timey.

7. Charlie Brown

Ah, yes — a costume so iconic that all you need is a t-shirt.

8. Umbrella Jellyfish

Forget about the outfit — to make this umbrella jellyfish work, you just need the umbrella-and-tendril part — which you can easily close up and carry when you don't feel like being dressed up.

9. Anthony Michael Hall's Character From "Sixteen Candles"

I love this simple costume — a pastel dress shirt and a pair of women's underwear to occasionally hold up.

10. Error 404: Costume Not Found Shirt

It's a costume that really isn't a costume. But I say that wearing this means you made an effort, so it counts. This is also easy to DIY with a blank T-shirt and a fabric marker. (See also: Halloween Time Savers)

11. Liz Lemon From "30 Rock"

A basic shirt. Jeans. Glasses. A sandwich. You can have it all.

12. Pajamas

They're comfortable, and it's (probably) different enough from what you wear out of the house every day to look like a costume.

13. Businessperson

Wear business casual. And hey, if you don't want to talk to someone at a party, you can just pretend your phone is vibrating and say you have to take this call. (See also: How to Dress for Success)

14. Celebrity Blending In

Think paparazzi-avoiding gear — sunglasses, a hat, and a sweatshirt. Carry a Starbucks if you want a prop to complete the look/way to stay awake during a late Halloween party. (See also: 13 Halloween Drink Recipes)

15. Some Version of Yourself

Build an alternative version of yourself out of items you already own. You on vacation? Fancy you? Slob you? The sky isn't exactly the limit here… your closet is.

Do you hate dressing up but are doing so anyway? If so, what are you going as?

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