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These are 45 fun and original adult Halloween costume ideas for digital nomads – from one nomad to another nomad.
I love Halloween! I also love being a digital nomad, but these two things can sometimes clash! How do you celebrate a holiday all about dressing up while trying your best to limit or not have single-use items in your luggage? Planning.
Planning in advance is key to utilizing as little space in your bag and reutilizing what you’re already carrying! This goes for each holiday and celebration you may be attending – not just Halloween!
When planning my Halloween costume each year, I first think about location. I ask myself, “Where will I be in the world? Will I be with friends? What will the weather be?” After getting a general idea of my whereabouts, I think about what I already will have in my bag or something that I need but haven’t bought yet.
I like to first assess what I have or need for efficiency – it allows me to save space, reduces the amount of items I transport, and gives me the opportunity to add a beneficial item to my bag. I then begin brainstorming! I ask myself, “What would make me happy and excited to wear, especially in a few months? Can my costume be repurposed or recycled? Can I wear it again or can a friend?” Don’t worry though if you’re pinpointing your Halloween costume last minute – this process can be done both months in advance and the same day as Halloween!
For inspiration on how to combine your existing luggage items to craft your Halloween costume, I’d like to share with you the 45 Cheap, Easy and Creative Halloween Costumes for Digital Nomads!
The Halloween costume ideas are categorized into 3 sections. First, we have costumes that can be made up of items already in your bag! This is great for saving space and money, and for last minute costumes! Second, we have costumes that involve a little preparation and space in your luggage – but not much! Third, we have last minute Halloween costumes that can be made the day of! For these costumes, you can find the supplies either in your house or a nearby store.
Without further ado, I’d like to share with you…
45 Cheap, Easy and Creative Halloween Costumes for Digital Nomads!
Part 1: 16 Halloween costumes that can be made up of items already in your bag!
1. 90s Infomercial
Are you looking for a Halloween costume that’s nostalgic, retro and fun? Pretend you’re in a 90s Infomercial this Halloween! Put on your favorite white shirt, plaid button up and blue jeans – and you’re ready to go! If you travel with a bandana – wear it too!
2. Secret Agent
Have you always wanted to be a secret agent? Do you travel with a blazer, suit, tie or sunglasses? Then you’re all set! Pretend you’re your favorite secret agent this Halloween!
3. Hiker
Do you travel with hiking boots or hiking gear? If yes, you could save money and time and dress up as a hiker for Halloween!
4. Mermaid
Dressing up as a mythical creature is a fun way to partake in Halloween! If you’re celebrating by the sea, dressing up as a mermaid could be a great option for you. A mermaid costume can be made by pairing a long pencil skirt with a top of your choice!
5. Scuba Diver
Do you travel with goggles and a snorkel? You could be a scuba diver for Halloween! Wear your snorkel, goggles, board shorts and swim shirt for a quick and easy costume that looks the part!
6. Surfer
A surfer Halloween costume can be made by wearing board shorts and a rash guard! P.S. Don’t forget the surfboard if you have one 🙂
7. Rockstar
Have you dreamed of being a rockstar? Pair your ripped skinny jeans, leather jacket and band tee to become a rockstar for the night! You could even take it up a level and accessorize with a hat, jewelry, and sunglasses!
8. Artist
Do you travel with a sketchbook or journal? You could dress up as an artist for the night! Carry your sketchbook/journal and drawing utensil with you! The base outfit is your choice but above is what I would pair 🙂
9. Dancer
As a digital nomad, we sometimes need to remind ourselves to be active! Let this Halloween costume be a reminder and inspiration for you and others! Dress up as a dancer by wearing your hair in a bun, leggings and long sleeve shirt!
10. Greek Goddess
This is another fun costume for anyone who loves mythology! Style your hair like the ancient Greeks and wear your favorite flowy dress to become a Greek Goddess for the evening.
11. Next Door Neighbor
Dress up as your favorite Next Door Neighbor! Similar to the 90s Infomercial costume, the Next Door Neighbor costume evokes nostalgia. Wear a baseball cap, t-shirt and blue jeans to complete the look!
12. Art Critic
Get ready to share your opinions all night! Wear a beret, black turtleneck and black pants to complete this look! For extra fun, bring note cards for discussion points.
13. Soccer Player
Do you have access to a soccer ball? Carry a soccer ball and wear sneakers, athletic shorts and a jersey to dress up as your favorite soccer player for Halloween!
14. 4th of July
How about dressing up as a holiday for another holiday? Wear red, white and blue to become the 4th of July for Halloween! I recommend pairing a shirt, shorts and kimono. As a bonus accessory, you could paint some cute fireworks on your cheeks!
15. Action Movie Star
Has your life gotten a little more adventurous and action packed as a digital nomad? Maybe you feel like an Action Movie Star already? Pair aviator sunglasses with a tank top and cargo pants to complete this look!
16. Queen of the Night
You can get creative with this look! Do you want to be mysterious, friendly or scary? You could pair black skinny jeans or a long dress with intense eye makeup to become Queen of the Night.
Part 2: 27 Halloween costumes that involve a little preparation and space in your luggage – but not much!
17. New Year’s Eve Ball
What I love about this costume is that it can be worn both on Halloween and New Year’s Eve! Wear anything that sparkles and shines in your luggage and accessorize with a Happy New Year’s headband!
18. Paint
Wear your favorite monochrome outfit and pair with these fun sunglasses! This would also be a great couples Halloween costume or group Halloween costume!
19. Vase
Becoming a vase is similar to the Paint costume but without the glasses! To become a Vase, dress in a monochrome outfit and hold some flowers or wear a flower crown! Flowers can be bought locally or in advance!
20. Bug
Dress up as a cute insect for Halloween! I’d dress up as an ant since it’s what I already have in my bag! I’d wear black pants and a shirt with these accessories!
21. Photo Booth
Do you love taking photos? Dress up as a Photo Booth! You can either buy paper props in advance or make some! Put on your favorite outfit and get ready to take some photos!
22. Cat
Do you like cats? Become a cat for Halloween! Dress in your favorite cat’s colors and wear cat ears. I’d dress up as tabby and wear gray as my base outfit.
23. Lifeguard
The key to a Lifeguard costume is the whistle! Pair a whistle with a white tank top, board shorts, visor, and sunglasses. P.S. Don’t forget your reef safe sunscreen!
24. Food Delivery
Wear an outfit of your choice! One outfit idea is to wear a matching hat and shirt. Just don’t forget the most important part of the costume – the food! You’ll be everyone’s favorite person!
25. Spider Web
This costume is a little out of the box but fun! Wear a spider headband and black strappy outfit – you may even already have one in your luggage!
26. Unicorn
Another great mythological creature you can become is a Unicorn. You can make or buy a unicorn headband and wear any color and outfit of your choice! You get to decide what type of unicorn you will become! One idea is pairing a cute top and shorts!
27. Pirate
This costume is great for minimalists! Become a pirate by wearing an eye patch and bandana – base outfit is your choice! An eye patch and bandana are small and can easily be flattened and squeezed into your luggage.
28. Bat
This costume is very appropriate with Halloween imagery and the scare factor! All you need to do to become a bat is dress in black and wear bat ears.
29. Deer
Becoming a deer for Halloween is similar to becoming a bat but instead of dressing in black, dress in brown and sport a pair of metal antlers!
30. Lobster
If you have red clothing in your luggage, dressing up as a lobster could be ideal for Halloween! Similar to the bat and deer, pair a lobster headband with red clothing.
31. Medieval Princess
Do you travel with a long flowy dress or do you want to buy one? Become a Medieval Princess for Halloween by pairing a long flowy dress with a flower crown.
32. Extraterrestrial
Become your version of an extraterrestrial! Pair antennas with an outfit of your choosing!
33. Summer Love
Dress up as Summer Love! Pair heart shaped sunglasses with a fun and flirty outfit of your choice! A skater dress or playful beach outfit are two great options!
33. Strawberry
Become a strawberry by wearing red and fun strawberry sunglasses! Carry a basket full of strawberries to finish the look.
34. Pineapple
Dress in yellow and wear these fun pineapple accessories! You could even carry a pineapple drink for extra fun!
35. Medusa
Medusa is from Greek mythology and her notable feature is snakes instead of hair. Wear a snake headband and fierce outfit to complete this look!
36. Dragonfly
This is a great single or group outfit! Dress as a Dragonfly for Halloween by pairing dragonfly wing sunglasses with a matching colored outfit! I’d wear this pink top and pants!
37. Rain Cloud
What I love about this outfit is that it doesn’t need to take up much space! You can wear rain cloud sunglasses and dress in pastel or moody colors!
38. Fire
Become Fire for Halloween by dressing in a red top and shorts, and wearing a fun pair of flame sunglasses! You could even go with a friend and be fire and rain!
39. Queen of Hearts
The Queen of Hearts is a staple Halloween costume! To create your own as a nomad, you can wear red and carry playing cards. You could even get creative and wear a small crown!
40. Butterfly
The next three costumes involve towels! Wearing a towel for Halloween is great because you get to save on space and it can be used again and again in nomad life. To become a Butterfly for Halloween, wear a butterfly towel around your shoulders. The base outfit can be your choice – I recommend all black, polka dots or bright colors!
41. Lemon Tree
Dress up as a lemon tree by draping a lemon towel over your shoulders! Dress in brown to complete the look.
42. Ocean Waves
Become ocean waves for Halloween! Wear a wave towel over your shoulders and dress in blue!
Part 3: 2 Halloween costumes that can be made on the day of!
43. Ancient Roman Citizen
Wear a toga! Buy bed sheets the day of at a local store or use some from home. You can learn how to fold a toga on YouTube.
44. Mummy
If you’re short on time but have toilet paper readily available, you could become a Mummy! All you need to do is wrap toilet paper around your body!
I hope these 45 Cheap, Easy and Creative Halloween Costumes for Digital Nomads could provide you with a little inspiration on how to get into the festive spirit for Halloween and add a bit of magic to the holiday!
Thinking creatively is key for developing your Halloween costume as a working nomad and from your existing luggage – especially if you’re traveling light – but it’s possible! Sometimes the best ideas and solutions are developed out of the tightest constraints.
Feel free to use one of these Halloween costume ideas or come up with your own! Once you have pinpointed your costume, if you need to buy a little something to complete it or take it to the next level, visiting your local thrift shop is a great, affordable and eco-conscious option! This will also likely guarantee that no one else will be showing up in the same costume!
Being a digital nomad has its challenges, but don’t let it stop you from participating in the holiday’s and having fun along the way! By traveling, you begin to see how you can incorporate different aspects of life into digital nomad life. It can be a process though, don’t be afraid to try or make mistakes. The journey is part of the process.
Let me know in the comments what Halloween costume was your favorite and what you plan to be for Halloween 2023? Happy traveling, I’m rooting for you!
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