DIY: How to Make YA-Inspired Halloween Costumes
Halloween is the perfect excuse to raid your closet, get a little crafty, and transform into your favorite bookish hero or villain. And yes, buying a ready-made costume is easy, but there’s something much more satisfying (and fun) about putting together your own look.
DIY Halloween costumes let you be creative, save money, and add those little details that make your outfit uniquely yours. And do you know what is even better? YA Halloween costumes! We love the thought of teens being inspired by their favorite characters and making them a hit at parties, book clubs, while handing out candy, or even trick-or-treating themselves ... because let’s be honest, no one is too old for candy!
From gothic heroines to fantasy warriors, there’s a YA character look for everyone. And if you are looking to get your teen into reading, our YA Book Boxes are packed with strong characters and incredible surprise gifts that keep the joy of the story with you long after you’ve turned the final page!
Tips for Creating YA-Inspired Costumes
Before you start hot-gluing bat wings or scouring your closet for a long black cape, a few quick tips will make your DIY Halloween costumes shine. First, focus on your character’s most iconic accessories–perhaps it’s a necklace, a weapon of choice, or a signature hairstyle–these are the details that make the outfit instantly recognizable.
Second, don’t be afraid to keep it simple. Many YA looks can be pulled together from items you already own, and creative touches like eyeliner tattoos or handmade props will take your costume to the next level. Finally, make it fun. The goal isn’t perfection, it’s celebrating the characters you love and stepping into their world for one night. And remember, DIY costumes aren’t just a trend, they’re a way to express individuality and fandom all at once.
6 YA-Inspired DIY Costume Ideas
We’re so excited to get going! We can’t wait to dive in—these YA looks are fun, easy to put together, and perfect for showing off at parties or on Instagram. Don’t forget to tag us—we’d love to see your creations come to life!
Katniss Everdeen (from The Hunger Games)
Supplies: Black or olive jacket, dark tee, cargo pants or leggings, lace-up boots, side braid, toy bow and arrow, Mockingjay-style pin (DIY paper or felt).
How-to: Channel your inner “Girl on Fire” with Katniss’s iconic rebel look. Braid your hair over one shoulder, then layer the tee, jacket, and cargos before lacing up those boots. Pin a DIY Mockingjay to your lapel, sling a toy bow across your back, and dust a little brown eyeshadow on your cheeks for that “arena grit.” Don’t forget the three-finger salute—it’s practically mandatory for photos.
Clary Fray (from The Mortal Instruments series)
Supplies: Black jeans, leather (or faux) jacket, ankle boots, temporary black eyeliner “rune” tattoos, simple pendant, toy seraph blade (silver-painted cardboard).
How-to: Go full Shadowhunter chic with Clary’s classic monochrome style. Start with a black tee, jeans, and jacket, then add a pendant and sturdy boots. Use eyeliner or a body-safe pen to draw a few runes on your arms and collarbone, and craft a simple seraph blade from cardboard painted silver. A little tousled hair will give you that “on patrol” edge.
Image Source: https://to-all-the-boys-ive-loved before.fandom.com/wiki/Lara_Jean_Covey
Lara Jean Covey (from To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before)
Supplies: Pleated skirt, soft cardigan, collared top, knee socks, white sneakers, ribbon hair tie, stack of “love letters” or a cute notebook.
How-to: Sweet, stylish, and perfectly bookish, Lara Jean’s look is easy to recreate. Tuck a collared top into a pleated skirt, layer on the cardigan, and add socks and sneakers. Tie your hair with a ribbon, slip a few faux love letters into your cardigan pocket (printer paper and heart stickers do the trick), or carry a pastel notebook. Finish with soft makeup—rosy blush and glossy lips are all you need.
Pippa “Pip” Fitz-Amobi (from A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder)
Supplies: Jeans, a T-shirt or sweater, red backpack, a pen and notebook, a magnifying glass; optional mini “murder board” with red string connecting clues. For bonus authenticity, try the OUABC Cozy Mystery Mini Notebook.
How-to: Pip’s look is practical and instantly recognizable. Start with jeans and a simple tee or sweater, then add the red backpack. Keep a notebook and pen handy for “case notes” and tuck a magnifying glass into your pocket for quick detective snaps. Want to go the extra mile? Create a mini “murder board” with printed names, scribbled clues, and red string—it’s the perfect prop to carry under your arm like you’re rushing to solve the case.
Annabeth Chase (from Percy Jackson & the Olympians)
Supplies: Orange “Camp Half-Blood” tee (DIY with fabric paint), denim shorts or jeans, sneakers, bead necklace (string wooden beads), Yankees cap, toy dagger or foam “celestial bronze” knife.
How-to: Annabeth’s look is both iconic and easy to recreate. Pair an orange Camp Half-Blood tee with denim and sneakers, then string together a bead necklace and paint tiny symbols on the beads. Add a Yankees cap and craft a dagger from foam painted bronze. For a clever touch, tuck a map or blueprint into your pocket to channel her architect side. Strike a confident pose—daughter of Athena vibes, unlocked.
Cinder (from The Lunar Chronicles series)
Supplies: Dark cargo pants, boots, tank top or T-shirt with grease smudges (use eyeshadow), utility belt, mechanical-looking arm and leg details (cardboard/foam + metallic paint), hand tools like wire cutters and a wrench.
How-to: Cinder’s mechanic-meets-cyborg style is gritty and inventive. Start with dark cargo pants, a tee, and boots, then smudge brown or black eyeshadow around seams for that hard-at-work look. Add a utility belt and slip in tools like a wrench or wire cutters. For her cybernetics, cut panel shapes from cardboard, paint them silver or gunmetal, and tape them over a sleeve or pant leg to suggest her mechanical parts. Draw a few thin “wire” lines with a metallic marker, tie your hair up, and add a grease streak to your cheek. Just like that, you’re ready to go and maybe save the world.
Make It a Group or Book Club Theme
One YA costume is great, but we think an entire group of friends or a book club showing up dressed as characters from their favorite reads will be absolutely fantastic. A group could become the full cast of The Hunger Games, with all the main characters making an appearance!
Group costumes make epic Instagram photos, and while you’re at it, why not turn it into a YA-themed Halloween party? Pair your costumes with your favorite character’s snacks (let your imagination flow). Share your favorite parts of the book or why you love this particular character. Make it a fun night to remember and, who knows, you may have just started a new tradition.
Check out our blog on Strong Female Leads for even more character inspiration!
From Page to Party: Bringing YA Stories to Life
We love the thought of DIY Halloween costumes inspired by YA books. It's all about celebrating the stories that have resonated with us and the characters that have inspired us. Each costume you create lets you step into another world just for a night.
With a little creativity and a few supplies, you can transform into your favorite character without breaking the bank. And if you’re looking for even more bookish happiness, our YA Book Subscription Box or one of our Ready-to-Ship boxes deliver the magical kind of reading experiences that make you feel like you’re living in the story. Yes, it’s those world-famous surprise gifts that do the trick!
After all, Halloween is about imagination, transformation, and just a touch of magic—so why not let your favorite character inspire your best costume yet? Happy dressing up from all of us at Once Upon a Book Club!
Sources
Joice, E. (2021, July 30; updated October 4, 2022). What is Closet Cosplay? (and why you should definitely try it). Cosplay Advice. Retrieved August 11, 2025, from https://cosplayadvice.com/closet-cosplay
Nguyen, G. (2024, October 30). ‘It can still be scary without the waste’: Tips for a sustainable Halloween. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2024/oct/30/sustainable-halloween-conservation-tips
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