Halloween experts explain how to DIY the perfect costume

Halloween is nearly here! With the next week filled with parties, trick-or-treating, parades and more, now's the time to finalize your costume.

One way to ensure you wow onlookers with your scary 'fit is to incorporate DIY elements. And if building one from scratch this late in the season seems daunting, you can always add a simple yet personal touch to differentiate your look with pre-made options.

For inspiration, we consulted with Midge Munster and Penny Snark who, in addition to co-hosting the delightful "Ghouls Night In" podcast, are also Halloween experts, influencers and all-around DIY masters who believe, in Penny's words, "It allows you to be a lot more flexible, whereas with a costume in a bag, you get what you get. This lets you add your own flair to it!"

You can find most of Penny's creative looks and decorating skills on Instagram. Midge is also a regular poster on the 'gram, but she also produces content on YouTube, where you'll find her crafting plenty of homespun goods with a witchy edge.

One reason the two love adding DIY elements to a costume is because you can reuse and re-wear the pieces you collect in everyday settings.

"With a costume I have either put together myself or made myself," said Midge, "I know the quality is going to be something I can use multiple times outside of Halloween."

Uniqueness is a big factor when considering your look. For this year's look, Midge is creating a one-of-a-kind costume mashup -- the Bride of Frankenberry -- that was inspired by an independent artist on Instagram.

"Usually the kind of costume I'm going to want to wear is not something I'd find in a store," she explained, "so I'll put something together with pieces I already own or I'll grab some pieces from Amazon that I can spruce up."

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The duo also point out that costume stores frequently understock or totally ignore plus size options, which can make it difficult to swoop in and nab something off the rack.

"While it kind of forces us to be creative," Midge noted, "the best costumes come that way."

The two suggest combining necessity and inspiration from Pinterest, Instagram feeds and other Halloween creators to spark new, innovative ideas each year.

Penny's ingenuity shone with a recent "Mothma'am" costume inspired by everyone's favorite West Virginia cryptid, Mothman. Her upcoming showstopper, however, sees her sewing a bride of Dracula gown that will incorporate notions and fabrics she's gathered from spots such as JOANN fabric, estate sales, thrift shopping and -- an eternal favorite for DIYers -- Etsy.

"I bought the lace I'm using from Etsy, and the appliques I used in a previous gown were from Etsy," she said. "I've found so many really cool buttons and sewing notions, too."

Using these suggestions and more, we've compiled a list of items to stock up on so you can create your own DIY look this Halloween -- many from Amazon, so you can ensure it ships in time to let you prepare for Oct. 31!

Keep reading to for more suggestions.

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Versatile clothing pieces for building a look

Amazon

Adult High Neck Zip One Piece Unitard Full Body Leotard Bodycon Jumpsuit for Women

Similar to an element of Midge's "Bride of Frankeberry" costume she plans to don this Halloween, this morph suit allows for endless layering options and -- when worn in this specific pink -- could even play into one of the year's most popular costume trends: Barbie.

• $22.88

• Amazon

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Amazon

Plus Size Club Dresses for Women

One of Penny's suggestions included using a black dress you can use to make a cute black cat look (or your own Mothma'am!) with makeup and a cute headband with ears, but you can just as easily wear it on any other occasion throughout the year.

• $24.99 to $29.99

• Amazon

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Amazon

ioiom Women's Long Sleeve Plain Maxi Dress

This black dress offers the same level of DIY versatility but with a bit more coverage for anyone whose late October climate surroundings are on the colder side.

• $29.99

• Amazon

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35% off

Amazon

Legendary Whitetails Men's Buck Camp Flannel Plaid Shirt

Penny and Midge both had DIY ideas using a classic flannel button-down: Penny loves pairing the shirt with straw hat and scarecrow makeup for a fun but office-friendly Halloween look, while Midge enlisted her husband to wear one with a beanie and axe one year for a convincing lumberjack outfit.

• $19.45
• $29.99

• Amazon

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Accessories to complete the look

Amazon

FEISEDY Retro Gothic Steampunk Sunglasses Round Metal Frame

If Penny's "Mothma'am" idea got your creative wheels turning, snag these glasses to recreate the perfect glowing red eyes. 

• $15.99

• Amazon

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Walmart

Coolmade 2 Pack Maple Leaves Fall Garland - 6ft/Strand Artificial Fall Foliage Garland

To go with her husband's lumberjack look we mentioned above, Midge made quick work of becoming a coordinated couple with her own costume: A tree. She used hot glue to attach a leaf garland to a brown shirt, added some bird plushes to her shoulder and voila -- an effortless couple's ensemble was born.

• $15.99

• Walmart

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Amazon

Women Fashion Summer Straw hat Sun hat Folding Travel Beach Cap

The perfect topper to Penny's scarecrow idea is this basic straw hat that can shield you from the sun during next year's beach trips. 

• $15.99

• Amazon

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Etsy

Monster Cereal Earrings / Boo Berry / Franken Berry / Count Chocula

"If you're doing something a little more off-kilter, wearing earrings or a broach to give a hint of what you are can tip them off," according to Midge and Penny. While the possibilities are endless on site full of small makers like Etsy, this dangly pair featuring the classic monster trio caught our eye.

• $22

• Etsy

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Costume crafting essentials

15% off

Amazon

Scunci No Slip Grip Skinny Head Bands, 3 pk

Penny mentioned crafting her own headwear from no-slip headbands and foam or thick paper, inspiring us to seek out no-slip headbands to which any sort of animal ears, antenna or other above-the-ears feature made of foam or paper can be attached.

• $5
• $5.95

• Amazon

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Amazon

20 Pack White Foam Board

For adding details, shapes and other flair to your costume this year, try cutting them out of thin but sturdy foam board that you can paint or bedazzle to your heart's desire. Midge will be using it to complete her Bride of Frankenberry look by adding a steam whistle and clock to large glasses as a nod to the original cereal box character.

• $20.99

• Amazon

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Amazon

42pcs Felt Fabric Sheet Assorted Color DIY Craft Squares Nonwoven 1mm Thick

Whether it's for adding detail to costumes or keeping on hand for any number of crafts, both Midge and Penny suggest keeping felt squares like these on hand.

• $6.68

• Amazon

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Amazon

60 sheets Color Cardstock, 28 Assorted Colors 250gsm A4 Size, Double Sided Printed Cardstock Paper, Premium Thick Card Stock for Card Making, Craft, Scrapbooking, Party Decors, Kids School Supplies

Another crafter's must-have for adding special touches to everything from headpieces to simple masks, cardstock will come in handy more often than you'd expect! Grab a colorful pack like this and you'll be set for crafting through every holiday of the year.

• $19.99

• Amazon

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