Who's excited for the new Star Wars movie, The Last Jedi? Me, me!!! I know some people have been critical that the new movies follow a similar plot to the old ones, but I've loved them anyway. I guess I'm just a sucker for a predictable story line with familiar characters and exciting adventures. In honor of the new movie and just in time for Halloween, I'm sharing a super simple tutorial for a Rey costume.
It's that time of the year again . . . Spooktastic September! You know I love sharing ideas for Halloween, but because I've just moved into a new home, I won't be able to dedicate the whole month to the holiday this year. Sad. I know. I'll give you as many Halloween ideas as I can, but I've got a whole house full of boxes to unpack, so I'll have to focus on that, too. To satisfy your taste for all things Halloween, be sure to check out my past ideas.
Simple Rey Costume Idea
RELATED: Best DIY Couples and Family Halloween Costumes, Freakishly Fun Couples and Family Halloween Costumes
And now, back to Rey! Her costume is so basic that there is no need to go out and buy an expensive costume. (I'm so cheap that I never buy a costume if I don't have to!) If you have a Deseret Industries, Good Will or thrift store nearby, you'll probably find all you need there!
Here's your shopping list:
- 1 brown or tan twin sheet or long piece of fabric (long enough to fall to the ankles when draped over the shoulders)
- light tan or light gray short-sleeved t-shirt
- grey leggings
- leather or leather-like belts or purse with belt-like straps
- boots (the more beat up the better!)
- tight-fitting white, cream or tan long-sleeved shirt (you only need the sleeves), ace bandages, long socks, or strips of scrap fabric (for arm wraps)
Now head to your closet and your local thrift store to see what you can find. I bet you can find what you need for under $10. (Assuming you have some of it in your closet already.)
The t-shirt and pants are pretty easy. Just get as close to the colors you want as possible. If you can't find short leggings, simply pull them up or cut them off and tie them just under the knee. The great thing about Rey's costume is that it's supposed to be old and ragged, so old clothes are perfect.
For the brown robe, drape the fabric or sheet over your "Rey's" shoulder and cut it to the length you want. Next, lay it out on the floor and cut it in half so that you have two long pieces. Drape one over each shoulder and crisscross them in the front. Use belts or purse straps to secure them at the waist. (We used a purse strap. It was perfect because it looked like two belts.) If you are really ambitious, you can also cut up a leather or brown purse to make a storage bag to attach at the waist. We ran out of time and energy and left that off the costume.
For Rey's arm bands, you have several options.
- Use the sleeves of a tight-fitting long-sleeved t-shirt
- Wrap the arms with ace bandages or strips of cloth
- Cut the feet off of knee socks
Use the cheapest option and what you have around the house.
If you don't have boots that will work for the costume (ours weren't perfect, but they were good enough!), again try Good Will. Ugg style boots have been around for a while, and you're bound to find some beat up pairs at a thrift store. (Or borrow from a friend!)
Rey's Hairstyle
Rey's hair can be faked super easily. I have no idea the real method to create her official Hollywood style, but I like to wing it. Here's my method:
- Divide the hair into three sections and try to include roughly the same amount of hair in each section.
- Starting at the top, create a ponytail with the first section. Instead of pulling the hair all the way through, leave a loop that sticks out a few inches away from the head. Wrap the extra length of hair around around the loop and hair tie, and pin the ends in place.
- Repeat with the other two sections.
That's it! Easy peasy.
Rey's Staff
I'm sure you're wondering about Rey's staff. Unfortunately, that's not quite as easy a DIY. Boo and her Dad made that together, and it took quite a bit of work. They researched it on the internet and made it from PVC pipe and a bunch of odds and ends. If that's a bit out of your league, find a broomstick or pole at a thrift store, paint it black, and tie some rags to it.
Seriously. This costume was so simple! What do you think? Will you buy it or DIY it? If you run out of time and decide you want to buy, here are some great options from Amazon. (These are affiliate links. Your price doesn't change, but I earn a tiny percentage if you buy.)
Thanks for stopping by today. Be sure to check out more Halloween costume ideas by clicking on the images below. The images are linked to posts, so click on them!
Have a great week!
AllMyDeals
Amazing costumes. Loved the Rey one :)
Heidi
Thanks, AllMYDeals. It was really fun to make, and my daughter loved it.
Sarah Bailey
What some absolutely awesome costumes, the Rey one is amazing and it is great that it really is so easy to make.
Heidi
Thanks, Sarah. Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. I love making costumes for my kids.
corinne & kirsty
What a perfect costume! I love star wars so much and Rey is such an amazing character! I can't wait for the next movie and this is an amazing costume for halloween too
Heidi
Thanks, Corinne & Kirsty. I'm excited for the next movie, too. I hate waiting when they put out the first preview months ago!
Jessica Taylor
This is an adorable costume! I wish my daughter would let me dress her up but she insists on picking her own lol
Heidi
Thanks, Jessica. I love making my kids' costumes, but I'll admit I've been really excited some years when they insisted on a store-bought costume. It takes a lot of time sometimes.
Amber Myers
This is a great costume. My daughter loves Rey but we got one from the Disney Store. This one looks just as good!
Heidi
Thanks, Amber. I'm sure the Disney store costume is great. I hate spending money, so we always try to make our own. It's so much easier to buy, sometimes, though.
Megan
I love Star wars! Great Rey costume!
Heidi
Thanks, Megan, and thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. Have a great day.
Claudia Krusch
This is a great costume idea. I have been looking for some costume ideas for this year. I am putting this on the top of my list.
Heidi
Thanks, Claudia. I hope you find the perfect costumes. (I've dressed as the same thing for the last 15 years!)
Chloe
So simple yet effective! I love that it is made out of items that would actually probably be around somewhere at home. Can't believe Halloween is nearly here!!
Heidi
I know, Chloe! Once school starts, Halloween seems to sneak up so quickly. I just moved into a new home. It's almost time to pull out the Halloween decorations. I hope I can find them!
Akamatra
Brilliant and so easy to implement! I love easy costumes and ingenious ideas like this one!
Heidi
Thanks so much, Akamatra. I love costumes that can be made quickly and on the cheap!
Christiana
I am not really a star wars fan but I must confess these costumes are so lovely and Very creative.
Heidi
Thanks, Christiana. I'm not always a fan of the things that my kids pick for Halloween, but I try to make them work. (I do like Star Wars, though. When they want to dress as scary stuff, I'm not a fan!)
Angela Milnes
What adorable ideas! My little girl is still in princess mode but I love this!
Heidi
Thanks, Angela. With three daughters, there have been many princess years at my house. (Those costumes were so easy! Just pull something out of the dress up bucket!)
Hey Sharonoox
This is awesome DIY costume! It looks easy so I'm going to give it a go. My daughter loves Star Wars and this Rey costume is such a great idea.
Heidi
Thanks, Sharonoox. I hope you and your daughter have a fun time coming up with a costume!
ana
Heidi you look epic! Just as badass as Rey is in the actual movies. I loved the attention to detail and I am so happy to hear that it is inexpensive to make too x
Heidi
Thanks, Ana. That's actually my daughter in the Rey costume. I wish I looked that young!
Denay DeGuzman
What fun Halloween costume inspiration! Now that fall's here I'm feeling so festive. I can hardly wait for Halloween and all the parties and festivities surrounding it. :-)
Heidi
Same here, Denay. Halloween and Fall is such a fun time of year. It's definitely time to get out the decorations.
Ophelia T
The costume look awesome. I can't wait for the Last Jedi as well. Thanks for sharing.
Heidi
Thanks, Ophelia. I hope the new movie lives up to the hype.
AllMyDeals
Dressing up is one of my favouritest thing in the whole world and costumes made by you are out of this world. Such creative and beautiful designs. Totally loved it
Heidi
What a nice thing to say, All My Deals! My kids and I sure have fun creating costumes every year.
Anchal
I am super duper excited. Loved your creative ideas. That is such a fun haloween costume
Heidi
Thanks, Anchal. Halloween is such a fun time of year. Maybe it's all the fee candy!
LIndsey
These are adorable! My kids are so excited for Halloween this year.
Heidi
Thanks, Lindsey. Mine are too. It seems like they start planning next year's costume as soon as they finish trick-or-treating!
Marcelo Pareja
Nice idea, I will make this an inspiration when my kids would be needing a costume.
Heidi
Thanks, Marcelo. I hope you and your kids have a fun time this Halloween. Good luck with your costumes.
Elizabeth
What a fantastic, yet simple, Halloween costume! This is something even I could do! Love it!
Heidi
Thanks, Elizabeth. We love making our own costumes at my house. (Although, I'll admit some years I am really relieved when the kids want one from the store!)
paras
Great article, specially photos are awesome. keep posting this type of article, we love it.
sarah
I think I can DIY it. Your tutorial was easy to follow. You are very creative. Checking out other DIY you have here.
Heidi
Thanks, Sarah. I hope you find some great ideas that you can use.
bint i noor Fatima
Good looking Costume with this great idea. Love it.
Louise
What a gorgeous Rey costume. I think it looks way better than the ones you see in the shops :)
Louise x
Heidi
Thanks, Louise. I think when you make the costumes yourself they look much more realistic than the plastic stuff at the store.