The Metamorphosis
This post is all about easy college Halloween costumes for guys. We may earn a commission on links used in this post at no cost to you. Read our full disclaimer for more info.
It’s finally Halloween season and there is no better time or place better for it than college. Even so, whether you’re a freshman without ideas or a senior who’s done it all, finding easy Halloween costumes for guys is a chore.
You don’t want to be left out of the fun, but you just haven’t found that perfect combination of clever, simple and fun that will kill it at the party.
This article lists some of the best ideas around for Halloween costumes for guys that will take minimal effort.
1. Superman/Clark Kent
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Dressing like a superhero is kind of a major investment. However, a Clark Kent and Superman combo is perfect for anyone who wants to make a comic book splash without going full tilt.
All you need is office apparel, glasses, and a Superman shirt. The result is a costume that takes no time to put together and looks clever for referencing Superman’s secret identity.
2. Arnold and Gerald
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- FLEECE TO FEEL GOOD ABOUT - Hanes EcoSmart midweight sweatshirt is made with cotton sourced from American farms.
- CLASSIC SILHOUETTE - Basic crewneck sweatshirt shaping for that versatile look you love.
- MADE TO STAY SOFT- Thick, sturdy fleece stays warm and cozy.
- HOLDS ITS SHAPE - Thanks to a ribbed crewneck, cuffs and hem.
- MADE TO LAST - Double-needle stitching at the neck and armholes add extra quality and sturdiness.
Arnold and Gerald are peak millennial nostalgia. A teal sweater, red plaid shirt, jeans, and sneakers will make the bulk of Arnold’s costume.
A red sweater with the number 33 in white, jeans, and sneakers will do for Gerald. After that, it’s just a matter of basic paper arts and crafts to get the heads and hair right.
The Hey Arnold! cast in general offers some seriously easy costumes for guys.
3. Brawny Paper Towel Man
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- Pocket: Two Styles of Pocket Design - One Left Pocket and Both Side Pockets Available. The Two Pockets styles are Produced with 10oz Thick Flannel Fabric.
- Color: All Colors In Stock, Wholesale Order Available, Customize Order Available.
- Fits True to Size And Regular Fit Style Make You Feel Good and Conformtable When Wearing.
- Produced By Soft Cotton Fabric Which Gives Most Comfortable Wear.
- Dry, Laundry, Machine washable / handwash in cold water. Hang dry and Low iron if necessary.
If you’re a young college-aged man, then there’s a pretty good chance you own red flannel and have at least the beginning stages of a beard. If so, the Brawny Paper Towel Man might just be your best bet.
Add on blue jeans, boots, and a brown belt and all that’s left is a little hair gel and an actual roll of Brawny paper towels to seal the deal.
Related: 70 Genius College Halloween Costume Ideas for Girls
4. Chick Magnet
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- FUN & FUNNY
If you’re willing to put in just a little bit more effort, Chick Magnet is a wonderfully groan-worthy idea. It’s a classic example of a common colloquialism and taken literally.
All you need is to make paper or cloth magnet big enough to wrap around your shoulders. Finish it by super gluing some cutout or plushy chicks on the end and you’re golden.
5. One Night Stand
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- Premium Fabrics: Hiasan checkeReddish Orange tablecloths are made of high quality durable polyester. Your package will include 1 black and red Gingham table cloth measuring 52 W by 70 L inch.
- Waterproof and Spill-proof Table Cloths: Featuring a fade and tear resistant polyester fabric, our table covers easily protect your tables and furniture from scratches, stains and sun rays.
- Decorative Table Covers: These plaid tablecloths are applicable for any indoor and outdoor dining occasion either for decorative or functional uses (Cafes, dinners, brunches, Potlucks, picnics and more).
- Multipurpose: Our stain resistant table cover is fit for every square table (Tea table, dining table, farm table, coffee table and more).
- Easy Cleaning Instructions: All liquids, even wine, can be quickly wiped clean with a wet cloth or napkin. Machine washable, no bleach.
Once again, a common phrase taken literally is one of the simplest ways to put together a solid costume. In this case, all you need to do is dress up like an actual nightstand.
It just takes is a square piece of wood or particleboard with a hole cut out of it. Add a tablecloth and some typical nightstand-y items and it’s all set.
6. God’s Gift to Women
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- Each roll in this 3-pack of premium wrapping paper measures 30 inches wide by 14 feet long for 35 square feet per roll. 105 square feet total in the set.
- Three striking, metallic designs: Dark blue with gold geometric line design; Dark blue and gold diagonal stripes; Dark blue with gold cross-hatch diamond pattern.
- Each roll of navy gift wrap features grid lines on the reverse side for straight cutting and perfectly wrapped presents.
- Classic, versatile designs easily elevate any gift, from birthday and graduation presents to wedding and groomsmen gifts.
- Crafted from high-quality paper materials, Hallmark's gift wrap is made with paper from well-managed forests. Made in the USA with European paper.
If those dad-joke costumes weren’t simple enough for you, then look no further than God’s Gift to Women. All you need is to get a big box you can wear, wrap it up like a gift and label it “To: Women, From: God.” That’s it.
Just make sure the irony hits home. You don’t want to be a braggy jerk.
Related: 16 Couples Halloween Costume Ideas for College Parties
7. Men In Black
So maybe it’s the day before Halloween and you haven’t given a second thought to what you’re going to wear to the party. Fear not, you can still eke by with a basic Men In Black get-up.
A black suit and tie are all it takes to make the bulk of it. Throw on some matching black sunglasses and create a neuralyzer out of tin foil and you’re party-ready!
8. Twister Board
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If you’ve got an all-white outfit and you’re feeling just a little bit crafty, then look no further than being a human twister board. Simply pin some colored circles on your clothes and make a basic twister spinner.
If you want to go the extra mile, put a circle on your crotch and make the spinner hit that color every time. Laughing and eye-rolling are sure to follow.
9. Error 404
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- error 404 costume not found t-shirt
- this funny tee shirt is the perfect costume or outfit for lazy people for halloween 2018. ideal for programmers, coders and computer nerds.
- Lightweight, Classic fit, Double-needle sleeve and bottom hem
Ok so maybe you truly don’t want to put any effort into a costume at all. Even more, you want people to know just how little you worked on it. Well here’s a perfect idea to encapsulate all that cool apathy.
Gather together a plain white T-shirt and a large sharpie. That’s the hardest part. Now write “Error 404 Costume Not Found” across it. When it comes to Halloween Costumes for Guys, it does not get any easier.
Related: 10 Creative Best Friend Halloween Costume Ideas for College Students
10. Netflix and Chill
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- VIVA MEXICO: This festive Taco Tuesday shirt is perfect for Cinco De Mayo, Día de Muertos, celebrating heritage, or simply showing off a love of Mexican food. Everything south of the border is just a little bit more fun with this loco taco tee.
- PUNNY GIFTS: Our pun-derful designs are sure to put a smile on the face of anyone on your gift-giving list. Let us be your gift guide for birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, or just because you want to bring joy to all your family and friends. Be sure to check out our other listings of pun-tastic t-shirts guaranteed to get a giggle from all those who see it.
- HERE IS YOUR NEW FAVORITE SHIRT: Crazy Dog manufactures its awesome tees to be the best super soft, high-quality shirts. They are made from ringspun cotton to get that comfortable vintage fit and feel. The stretchy material will conform to any body shape so you look your best. Pair our creative apparel with your favorite jeans, shorts, or cozy sweatpants.
- SUPERIOR DESIGN: All of Crazy Dog's awesome t-shirts are designed and printed in the USA with the highest grade ink on state-of-the-art equipment. Made with 100% pre-shrunk poly cotton blends, our merchandise is designed to last and won’t fade over time. This stretchy and super soft material ensures a comfortable and slim fit. If you find yourself between sizes, consider ordering one size up for your ideal fit.
- SATISFACTION GUARANTEED: Whether you're cute and funny or sarcastic and nerdy, get ready to have fun with this graphic tee. Explore our range, larger sizes available (3XL, 4XL, and 5XL) all most novelty designs.
If you liked the simplicity of Error 404 but want to up the ante a little, then it’s time to get yourself a red shirt! Next, print out the iconic Netflix logo and grab a bag of ice on your way to the party.
Voila! You are now Netflix and Chill incarnate.
11. Identity Thief
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- Unique tabbed edge makes it easy to peel off backing paper and apply
- Simple application with pressure-sensitive adhesive
- Backing paper protects adhesive until use
- Easy way to supply name badges for small meetings, conferences and seminars
- Not compatible with leather, suede, vinyl corduroy or silk
If you happen to have a stack of stickered name tags lying around or you live near Office Depot, then you’re already 90% done with your Identity Thief costume. Fill out a couple of names and stick them all over your body.
It’s a perfect costume if you want to do the whole literal phrase thing without yet another sexual angle to it.
12. Police Officer
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- Leg Avenue 83122-00106 Men Police Costume, Med/Lge, Black
- 98% Cotton 2% Spandex
- Med/Lge
- Black
Here’s one of the most classic easy Halloween Costumes for Guys. Dressing like a police officer is something boys have done since their very first Trick or Treat. You can get it prepackaged from Amazon or just wear all blue with some fake gear.
It’s a great idea for guys who either don’t want to draw too much attention to themselves or want to go full ham with the sexy uniform gambit.
13. Guy Fieri
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- 96% polyester, 4% spandex
- Dry wicking stretch fabric
- One wig; One goatee
- Blonde
If you’re down to be a little more bombastic, then Guy Fieri will definitely turn some heads. The cheesy goatee and frosted tips are easy to put together.
If you manage to find that iconic shirt, then all you need are some Oakley’s as the cherry on the sundae.
14. Egg
The only reason Egg isn’t easier then Error 404 is because you’ll need to use some scissors and yellow paper to complete it. That’s at least 10 more minutes of extra effort.
A plain white T-shirt with a paper sunny egg is another “Get Out of Jail Free” card for when Halloween sneaks up on you.
15. 50 Shades of Grey
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- SLIM FIT: Fits close to the body for fitted, slim silhouette.
- LIGHTWEIGHT T-SHIRT JERSEY: Soft and comfortable knit fabric for a go-to lightweight t-shirt. Solids are 100% cotton and heathers are a cotton-poly blend.
- CLASSIC T-SHIRT: This wardrobe staple features classic t-shirt construction, a pull-on crew neckline, and short-sleeves.
- DETAILS: Ribbed neck trim, tagless printed label for comfort, and soft jersey-knit taping on neck seam.
- LENGTH: 29" from side neck on US size M.
We couldn’t end this list without throwing in another reference taken literally. Walk into any hardware store and raid the gray section of the paint swatches. Snag up every single one and then throw some glue or pins in your basket.
Cover yourself in gray swatches and wait for people to finally get it. It’s actually cleverer than you’d expect. Wear a Gray shirt for extra points!
There you have it. Just about any of these choices could be put together hours before showtime. In the end, all you might need are the clothes you already own and the most basic of arts and crafts kits.
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