Dressing up with your best friend only works if you both actually want to wear your half. That's the first thing I'd settle, before fabric or wigs: pick a pair that says something about the two of you, and don't talk one person into a role they'll sulk in all night. The thirty ideas below run from nostalgic characters to food jokes, fantasy looks and simple builds from everyday clothes. For each I've covered clothing, hair, makeup, shoes and props, along with the sewing and craft details that make a homemade version hold up. Change the colors, layers or shapes to suit your size, budget and the party you're going to.
One Thrift Run for Both Costumes
Shopping together saves money and keeps the two outfits talking to each other. I'd go with a written list for each of you, split into what you already own, what you'll thrift and what you'll make, so you don't come home with two plaid shirts and no overalls.
- Hold the pieces side by side in daylight near the store door. Store lighting makes yellows and pinks look closer than they are, and a slight clash shows up in every photo.
- Check the fiber label. Cotton and wool blends take paint, dye and stitches well; shiny polyester resists fabric glue and melts under a hot iron.
- Buy a size up in anything you'll layer over. A thermal top or a padded belly panel needs room underneath.
- Look at what you can cut up. A worn-out wool sweater becomes felt-like trim once washed hot, and an old skirt gives you yards of fabric for a cape or panel.
Wash everything before you sew or glue onto it. New and thrifted clothes often carry sizing or fabric softener that stops glue from bonding, and pre-washing also takes care of any shrinkage before you've stitched on a single patch.
1. Wednesday And Enid Best Friend Costume
These two work because they're opposites, so lean into it. Wednesday wears a black collared midi dress, opaque tights and chunky loafers, with two neat braids, pale matte makeup and a small vintage-style book. Enid brings all the color in a pastel striped sweater or patchwork cardigan, a pleated skirt, patterned tights and bright sneakers, with a pink-and-blue tipped blonde wig if she needs one. If you're sewing Wednesday's collar, I'd make it detachable from a crisp white cotton with a light fusible interfacing, so it sits flat without wilting and goes on any black dress you already own. Keep her strictly monochrome. Both outfits are school-friendly and easy to thrift.
2. Daphne And Velma Best Friend Costume
Color blocking does almost all the work for this mystery pair. Daphne wears a purple mini or knee-length dress, pink tights, purple flats and a silky green neck scarf, with smooth red hair or a wig, lavender shadow and a magnifying glass. Velma takes an orange turtleneck, a red pleated skirt, orange knee socks and red shoes, plus a short brown bob, square black glasses and softly defined brows. A pleated skirt is one of the easier things to sew for this: a rectangle of fabric, pressed pleats and a waistband, no pattern needed. A notebook is the only prop either of you needs, and the two read as a team in every photo.
3. Glinda And Elphaba Best Friend Costume
Pink against green is the whole idea. Glinda wears a pale pink tulle dress or full skirt with a fitted sparkly top, silver flats, a delicate crown, loose blonde curls and rosy shimmer, plus a cardboard star wand painted silver. Elphaba goes for a black maxi dress, a structured vest, a dark cape and lace-up ankle boots, with a long dark wig, a pointed hat and smooth green makeup over face and neck. If you're making Glinda's skirt, gather several layers of tulle onto one elastic waistband; more layers give fullness without the scratch of a single stiff one. Keep Elphaba elegant rather than scary, and one of you gets to be airy while the other is tailored.
4. Cher And Dionne Best Friend Costume
This is 1990s school fashion, and the pieces are real clothes you'll wear again. Cher has a yellow plaid blazer and pleated skirt over a white top, white knee socks and black Mary Janes, with long straight blonde hair and a fuzzy pen or mini backpack. Dionne wears a black, white and red plaid blazer with a matching skirt, a red top, over-the-knee socks, platforms, long braids and a statement hat. Thrifted blazers rarely come with a skirt to match, so I'd buy the blazer first and sew a quick pleated skirt in a plaid that picks up its main color. Glossy lips and soft eyes keep the makeup fresh, and a flip phone prop adds the nostalgia.
5. Mario And Luigi Best Friend Costume
Mario and Luigi suit any pair of friends, whatever your genders, and they're comfortable all night. Each of you needs denim overalls, a bright long-sleeve shirt, white gloves and brown boots or sneakers; Mario in red, Luigi in green. Caps get simple felt initials, which I cut from a stiff felt and stitch around the edge, because craft glue lets go of a curved cap within the hour. Mustaches are optional. Keep hair natural and the makeup minimal. Foam coins or a small plush mushroom make safe props, a thermal shirt goes underneath on a cold night, and overall dresses or shorts work just as well as full overalls.
6. Woody And Buzz Best Friend Costume
A cowboy and a space ranger give you two very different shapes side by side. Woody wears jeans, a yellow plaid shirt, a cow-print vest, a red bandana, brown boots and a wide-brim hat. Buzz starts from white pants and a fitted white top, then adds green and purple felt panels for the space suit, with white sneakers, purple gloves and a light fabric hood or headband. Sew those felt panels onto a cotton top rather than a stretchy one, since felt doesn't stretch and will pucker or pop its stitches when a knit pulls. Keep the cardboard wings compact for crowded rooms. Writing each other's names under your shoes is a sweet friendship nod.
7. Lilo And Stitch Best Friend Costume
Lilo wears a red dress with large white leaves, either printed or appliquéd, flat sandals and a flower tucked into long dark hair, with rosy cheeks and a small camera or handmade doll. Stitch is a blue hoodie with felt ears on the hood, matching joggers or leggings and blue sneakers, plus a pale blue belly panel and a few blue and pink face accents. If you applique the leaves, use a fusible web to hold them first and then a narrow zigzag around each edge, which keeps the points from lifting in the wash. A blue headband can carry the ears if the hood feels hot. On a cool October night, add a long-sleeve layer under Lilo's dress and pick fleece for Stitch.
8. Joy And Sadness Best Friend Costume
Yellow and soft blue make the emotional contrast easy to see. Joy wears a sleeveless yellow skater dress with small blue floral shapes, yellow flats or sneakers, a short blue wig and gold eye makeup. Sadness takes a pale blue turtleneck, navy pants, blue flats, oversized round glasses, a chin-length blue wig and matte blue-toned makeup. For the memory spheres, I fill clear plastic ornaments with colored tissue; they weigh almost nothing and catch the light at a party. A skater dress is a simple circle skirt on a fitted bodice if you sew, and you can lengthen the sleeves or loosen the cut without losing the characters.
9. Sponge And Starfish Best Friend Costume
You get the cartoon energy here without wearing full mascot suits. The sponge wears a yellow T-shirt dress or yellow top with brown shorts, white knee socks, black shoes, felt spots and a bright blue tie, with two front teeth drawn in safe makeup. The starfish wears a pink sweatshirt or tunic, lime-green shorts with purple felt flowers and pink sneakers. Make the starfish point from a padded headband: cut two felt triangles, stitch them together and stuff lightly, so it stands up without covering the face. Rosy cheeks on both of you finish the makeup. Everything layers over leggings or thermals if the night turns cold, and it's easy to dance in.
10. Kim Possible And Shego Best Friend Costume
Both friends get sleek outfits made from separates you can wear again. Kim needs olive cargo pants, a fitted black turtleneck, black gloves and combat-style boots, with loose red layers or a natural-looking red wig and a simple utility belt. Shego wears black pants and a fitted black top with bright green asymmetrical panels, green gloves, long dark hair and green shadow. Those panels are where I'd spend the sewing time. Cut them from a stretch fabric with a similar weight to the top, so the seams move with you instead of rippling. A small painted cardboard communicator is a shared prop, and the red hair beside the green keeps you distinct in photos.
11. Romy And Michele Best Friend Costume
Shiny mini dresses make this a 1990s party look. One friend wears a shiny blue mini with silver platforms, the other a bright pink dress with matching platforms, in simple A-line or body-skimming shapes at a length you're comfortable with. Blonde hair goes into high ponytails or smooth blowouts, with frosted shadow, glossy lips and rhinestone clips. Metallic and lamé fabrics fray badly and show every pin hole, so if you're sewing, use a stretch metallic knit and a ballpoint needle. Tiny metallic bags or handmade reunion name tags make the props. Silver sneakers can replace the heels, and keep the two dress colors clearly different.
12. Peanut Butter And Jelly Best Friend Costume
Few pairs are this simple. One friend wears a tan T-shirt or sweatshirt with brown pants, the other a purple or red top with matching bottoms. Cut two large bread-slice shapes from white foam board or felt, outline the crust in tan, and hang them on the front of each outfit with ribbon straps. I prefer felt for the slices if you'll be sitting a lot, because it bends with you while foam board pokes into your lap. Removable fabric letters can spell “peanut butter” and “jelly” if you want labels. Tan and purple sneakers carry the colors down. It suits any age and adapts easily for a wheelchair, cold weather or a last-minute plan.
13. Sun And Moon Best Friend Costume
The sun wears a gold or yellow dress, jumpsuit or matching set with metallic flats, a gold-ray headband, warm shimmer and a small round purse. The moon goes silver, navy or pale blue with silver boots, a crescent headpiece, cool shadow, small star-shaped face gems and a sparkly clutch. You can both add light capes scattered with stars, and here a sewist has an easy job: a rectangle of chiffon gathered onto a ribbon at the neck, with felt stars stitched on by hand. Keep the rays and points soft so they don't catch on other costumes. The shared metallics tie two very different palettes together.
14. Salt And Pepper Best Friend Costume
This is the pair for friends who don't sew at all. One of you wears all white, the other all black, in matching shapes such as T-shirt dresses with sneakers or jumpsuits with boots. Roll cylindrical shaker hats from lightweight white and black cardstock and stick foil-covered circles on the tops. Attach a big S and P to the shirts in removable felt or paper; safety pins at each corner hold better than tape and won't mark the fabric. Hair goes back under the hats, with silver highlights for salt and smoky gray shadow for pepper. Aprons or spice jars are optional, since the black and white already say it.
15. Bee And Beekeeper Best Friend Costume
Each friend gets a separate role under one clear theme. The bee wears a black-and-yellow striped top, black skirt or pants, sheer wings, black sneakers and an antenna headband, with yellow shadow and dotted cheeks, plus a yellow tulle skirt or striped leggings for extra color. The beekeeper wears beige cargo pants or overalls, a white button-down shirt, work boots, gloves and a wide-brim hat with soft mesh around the edge. Hand-stitch that mesh to the brim so it hangs as a short veil and the face stays visible, rather than closing it into a full net. A basket of faux flowers or a cardboard honeycomb replaces real equipment.
16. Butterfly And Gardener Best Friend Costume
The butterfly wears a fitted black top with a colorful skirt or leggings, light fabric wings, black flats and a delicate antenna headband, with eye makeup matched to the wings and a few small face gems. The gardener goes for denim overalls over a floral shirt, green rain boots, gardening gloves and a straw hat with artificial flowers, plus a light watering can or a basket of faux blooms. Pick the floral shirt first and match the wing colors to it, which is easier than the other way around. Fabric wings hold their shape best with a wire edge sewn into a narrow channel. Natural hair, braids or a low ponytail suit the gardener.
17. Cloud And Rainbow Best Friend Costume
Turn plain basics into a weather pair. The cloud wears a pale blue or white sweatshirt dress, tights and white sneakers, with small bundles of polyester stuffing attached to the garment, a fluffy white headband and soft silver makeup. Leave the arms and face free of stuffing. Glue doesn't hold fiberfill, so I tack each bundle on with a few loose hand stitches, which also lets it come off cleanly afterward. The rainbow wears a striped dress, a rainbow sweater with bright pants or a layered tulle skirt, with colorful clips and a different shade on each eyelid. A small felt sun or raindrop bag connects the two.
18. Fire And Ice Best Friend Costume
You don't need a character to make this pair dramatic, only strong color. Fire wears a red, orange and yellow dress or layered separates with red ankle boots, flame-shaped felt panels around the hem, a spiked headband, warm metallic makeup and an orange or red wig if you like. Ice takes an icy blue or silver outfit, white boots, a crystal-style crown and a sheer blue cape, with silver shadow and snowflake clips. Cut the flame panels in layered felt shades and stitch them at the top edge only, so the points flutter as you walk. Hand fans in red and blue are fun for photos. Use fabric, foam and smooth plastic, never anything sharp near the crown.
19. Black Cat And Witch Best Friend Costume
A cat and a witch is classic Halloween, and it can stay cute and family-friendly. The cat wears a black jumpsuit, dress or top with leggings, black boots and a soft tail, plus ears, a painted nose, whiskers and a sleek ponytail. The witch picks a purple or black midi dress, striped tights, buckled ankle boots and a wide-brim pointed hat, with smoky eyes, plum lips and a short velvet cape. For the tail, I sew a tube of black fleece, stuff it and run a strip of pipe cleaner inside so it curves; attach it with a safety pin through the inside of the waistband. A small broom is the prop, and matching purple accents connect you.
20. Fairy And Princess Best Friend Costume
The fairy wears a lavender or mint dress with a layered tulle skirt, ballet flats, translucent wings, a floral headband, shimmer and small face gems, plus a light star wand. The princess takes a pink, blue or gold maxi dress with low comfortable heels, a small crown, elbow-length gloves and a satin bag, with curls or an updo and rosy makeup. I'd coordinate one shared color and stop there, because identical pastels make the two of you blur together in photos. Flexible crowns and small accessories are kinder on a long night. If you're hemming the maxi, take it up to ankle length so it clears your shoes on stairs.
21. Mermaid And Sailor Best Friend Costume
This seaside pair uses normal clothes instead of a tail you can't walk in. The mermaid wears a shimmering green or blue skirt with a fitted lavender top, metallic sandals, a shell headband, textured waves, iridescent makeup and a pearl-covered purse. The sailor wears wide-leg navy pants, a striped top, white sneakers, a sailor cap, a red neck scarf and natural makeup, with a cardboard ship wheel or rolled map. When I cut the mermaid skirt, I add a godet or a flared panel at the back so you get a full stride on stairs while the front still looks fitted. Matching pearl bracelets tie the two together.
22. Alien Best Friend Costume
Twin aliens suit friends who love shimmer and bright makeup. One goes green, the other silver, blue or pink, in metallic minis, jumpsuits or coordinated tops and pants with comfortable platform sneakers. Repeat the same accessories on both: antenna headbands, iridescent belts, holographic bags and light futuristic glasses. High buns, sleek ponytails or bright wigs work, and face gems with metallic shadow look better than painting the whole face. Holographic vinyl is stiff and doesn't breathe, so I'd use it for belts and trim and keep the main garment in a stretch metallic knit. Foam planets make safe props, and a fitted turtleneck goes under on a cold night.
23. Cowgirl Best Friend Costume
Two cowgirls can coordinate without dressing alike. One wears a denim skirt, a white button-down, a brown vest and tan boots; the other takes flared jeans, a plaid shirt, a fringed jacket and black boots. Western hats in complementary colors, bandanas and belts without big metal pieces finish the outfits. If you want to add fringe to a plain jacket, buy fringe trim by the yard and topstitch it along the yoke; cutting your own from suede takes far longer than it looks. Warm natural makeup and loose waves or braids suit it. Star badges and rope-style bags are the props, and a shared red or turquoise accent pulls you together in photos.
24. Disco Best Friend Costume
Sequins and flares make this one, and it's the best on the list for dancing. One friend wears a silver halter top with white bell-bottoms, the other a gold or colorful sequin jumpsuit. Choose platforms stable enough to walk in, plus big hoops and shiny mini bags. Hair gets soft volume or feathered layers, with glossy lips, blue or gold shadow and subtle cheek shimmer. Sequin fabric is scratchy at the seams, so line the halter or bind the inside edges with soft bias tape before wearing it for hours. Round tinted glasses and mirror-ball purses are fun, and one metallic repeated on both of you links the looks.
25. Pink Doll Best Friend Costume
Two pink doll looks, each with its own shape. One friend wears a hot-pink western jumpsuit or a vest with flared pants and a white cowboy hat; the other wears a pink gingham dress, a cropped cardigan and a matching headband. Pink heels, platforms or sneakers finish both, with polished curls or high ponytails, glossy makeup, tiny bags and oversized sunglasses. You don't need to copy one exact character. Mix several shades of pink rather than matching one, because head-to-toe identical pink looks flat in pictures. Gingham is easy to sew straight, since the checks give you a built-in grid for cutting and hemming.
26. Tourist And Tour Guide Best Friend Costume
Most of this pair comes out of a closet, which makes it great for last-minute plans. The tourist wears a bright tropical shirt, khaki shorts, white crew socks, sneakers, sunglasses and a sun hat, with a camera, folded map, small backpack and a little white zinc-style makeup on the nose. The guide wears a polo, cargo pants or shorts, walking shoes, a lanyard and a cap, carrying a clipboard, small flag or cardboard microphone. Make the guide's badge and flag yourself from felt or card, with a made-up tour company name instead of a real logo. Comfortable shoes and natural hair keep you both easy all night.
27. Chef And Cupcake Best Friend Costume
The chef wears black pants, a white button-down or chef-style jacket, nonslip shoes, a neck scarf and a tall fabric chef hat, with hair tied back and a wooden spoon or empty bowl. The cupcake wears a pastel top over a pleated tan skirt that looks like the paper case, with felt sprinkles, a fluffy white shoulder collar, bright sneakers and a cherry headband. For the case, I press narrow knife pleats all the way round and topstitch them for the first few inches so they stay crisp. Stitch the sprinkles on with a single tack each; glue makes them stiff and they snap off when you sit. A shared apron color links the pair.
28. Shark And Lifeguard Best Friend Costume
A shark and a lifeguard stay warm and comfortable for an outdoor event. The shark wears a gray hoodie with soft felt teeth around the hood, matching joggers, a pale belly panel, gray sneakers and a flexible dorsal fin on the back, plus a little gray eye makeup. The lifeguard wears red shorts or athletic pants, a white shirt with removable felt lettering, sneakers, sunglasses and a visor, with a foam rescue float or a whistle on a breakaway lanyard. Stuff the fin lightly and sew it to the hoodie along its base only, so it stands up but bends when you lean back in a chair. Skip the shark mask so you can see where you're going.
29. Minion Best Friend Costume
Two minions come together quickly from denim and basics. You both wear yellow long-sleeve shirts, denim overalls, black gloves and sturdy black shoes, with yellow beanies or headbands sprouting a few strands of black yarn. Give one of you a single-lens foam goggle and the other a pair, so you look like two different characters. I'd make the goggle rims from a strip of craft foam glued into a ring and painted silver, held on with wide elastic. Yellow shadow or rosy cheeks beat full-face paint. Plush fruit or small blue buckets make the props, and overall dresses or shorts suit warmer weather.
30. Frog And Toad Best Friend Costume
Vintage layers make Frog and Toad the warm choice for a chilly night. Frog wears green pants, a green turtleneck, a brown blazer and brown lace-ups, with a green beanie topped with felt eyes, lightly shaded green makeup and a small book. Toad takes tan pants, a cream shirt, a brown vest or jacket and ankle boots, with a tan beanie, felt eyes and warm beige on the cheeks. Stuff the felt eyes a little and stitch them to the beanie through the fold, so they stay upright instead of flopping sideways. A basket, teacup or bundle of handmade letters makes a gentle prop. Leave out masks; the earthy colors and comfortable layers carry the story.
Felt, Foam or Cardboard for Each Detail
Almost every costume here has one homemade piece: initials, a fin, a bread slice, a crown or a set of spots. Matching the material to the job is what keeps it looking right at the end of the night.
Felt for Anything That Bends
Felt is the easiest choice for letters, spots, ears and soft shapes that move with your body. Stiffer felt holds an edge better than the floppy craft kind. Stitch it on with a simple running or whip stitch around the edge, because glue only grips the surface fibers and peels away once the garment flexes.
Foam for Crowns, Goggles and Rays
Craft foam is light and cuts with scissors, which makes it good for headpieces you'll wear for hours. It can be warmed gently with a hair dryer and curved by hand. Hot glue bonds foam to foam well, but it gets brittle in cold air, so for outdoor parties I add a few stitches or a strip of tape on the inside of every joint.
Cardboard for Flat Props Only
Cardboard is fine for wands, signs, maps and anything you carry, but it softens and buckles in damp air and its edges get chewed up in a crowd. If a cardboard piece has to be worn on your body, seal it with a coat of acrylic paint on both sides and round off every corner before it leaves the house.
Does It Feel Like the Two of You?
Once you narrow it down by comfort, budget, weather and how much making time you have, the decision usually gets easy. Characters suit friends who want people to get it at a glance; food, weather and job pairings leave more room to personalize. Try on every layer before the party, walk around in your shoes, and test wings, hats and props somewhere busy. You both need to move, sit and enjoy yourselves. Match a few colors and details, but there's no need to look identical. The pair people remember is the one that obviously belongs to the two of you.
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