19 Halloween Costumes for Expecting Parents That Are Actually Comfortable (And Won’t Cost a Fortune)
I was 31 weeks pregnant on Halloween two years ago, and I made a huge mistake. I ordered a “cute” pre-made maternity costume online for $58, waited three weeks for it to arrive, tried it on, and realized I couldn’t sit down in it.
Couldn’t sit. At a Halloween party. While pregnant. I ended up wearing black leggings and a t-shirt with a pumpkin drawn on my bump in Sharpie. My husband went as “the guy who forgot to plan a costume.”
So when my friend Jess told me she was pregnant this August and already stressing about Halloween, I sent her a list. And then I thought — other people probably need this list too.
Here’s the thing about Halloween costumes for expecting parents: the bump changes everything.
Costumes that look adorable on a non-pregnant person become a bathroom nightmare when you’re carrying a human in your pelvis.
Fabric that doesn’t stretch will betray you by 8pm. And anything that requires sitting, bending, or standing for more than an hour needs to be tested before you commit.
This list has 19 options organized by vibe and effort level — comfortable classics, funny bump-forward ideas, pop culture duos, and the last-minute saves I wish I’d known about.
I’ve included real cost ranges, what to actually buy versus DIY, and the pro tips that come from doing this pregnant once and learning exactly what not to do.
What to Know Before You Buy Any Pregnant Couple Halloween Costume
Three rules I learned the hard way:
Rule one: The bump is the costume. Don’t cover it with bulky layers. The best expecting parent costumes make the bump the focal point, not an afterthought. Anything with a cape, a full-length robe, or a giant cardboard box is going to hide the one thing that makes your costume work.
Rule two: Test the bathroom situation. I’m serious. Put the costume on, walk to your bathroom, and simulate the process. If you can’t get out of it in under 90 seconds, you’ll be miserable by hour two. This is why dresses beat jumpsuits every single time for pregnant Halloween costumes.
Rule three: Buy one size up from your current size. Your bump will grow between now and October 31st. A costume that fits perfectly today will be tight in three weeks, and tight on a pregnant body is not “snug” — it’s “I need to go home.”
Pro tip: If you’re ordering online, check the return window before you buy. Most costume shops have a 14-day return policy, which means you need to order early enough to try it on but late enough that you can still return it if it doesn’t work. I order the first week of October and try everything on immediately.
Classic Halloween Costumes for Expecting Parents (Comfortable, Photogenic, Family-Friendly)
These are the ones you can wear to a work party, a family gathering, or a neighborhood event without anyone raising an eyebrow.
1. Bun in the Oven
Why it works: It’s the most literal interpretation of pregnancy, and it’s genuinely funny without being complicated. One partner wears a chef’s apron and hat, the other wears a cardboard “oven” frame over the bump with a bun (literally a bread roll) attached to the front.
How to do it: The oven frame is a piece of cardboard painted silver with a window cut out. You can buy a pre-made version for $25 to $40, or make one from a diaper box in about 45 minutes. The “bun” is a real hamburger bun held on with double-sided tape. I’ve seen people use a croissant, which is funnier.
The trade-off: The cardboard oven limits your movement. You can’t sit comfortably, and hugging people is awkward. It’s a standing-only costume.
Pro tip: Attach the bun with Velcro instead of tape. You’ll want to take it off to eat, and tape leaves residue on the costume.
2. Winnie the Pooh and Piglet
Why it works: A yellow dress or t-shirt with a red crop top over it reads as Pooh instantly, and the bump makes the “round tummy” joke write itself. Your partner wears a pink shirt and pig ears.
How to do it: Yellow maternity dress ($20–$35), red cropped tank or a red ribbon tied around the bump ($8), yellow or black ears ($5–$10). Partner wears a pink polo and pig snout ($15). Total: under $70 for both.
The trade-off: This is a very popular costume, so you won’t be the only Pooh at the party. If that bothers you, skip it.
Pro tip: Skip the full Pooh bear suit. It’s hot, it’s expensive, and you’ll be sweating by 7pm. The dress-and-crop-top version is more comfortable and more flattering.
3. Mummy and Mummy-to-Be
Why it works: White gauze wrapped around both of you, with the bump wrapped separately to make it pop. It’s classic, it’s easy, and it costs almost nothing.
How to do it: Two rolls of white gauze ($6 each), white clothing underneath. Wrap loosely — you need to be able to move and use the bathroom. The bump gets its own horizontal wrap so it looks like a separate bundle.
The trade-off: Gauze unravels. By the end of the night, you’ll look like you survived an actual mummy attack, which some people consider an upgrade.
Pro tip: Safety pin the ends of the gauze at your back instead of tying them. Tying creates bulk and knots that dig into your skin when you sit.
4. Skeleton Family
Why it works: Black clothing with white skeleton bones painted or printed on it. You can add a tiny skeleton baby on the bump, which is the detail that makes people smile.
How to do it: Black leggings and a black maternity top for you ($25–$40), black pants and shirt for your partner ($20–$30), white fabric paint or skeleton printouts. The baby skeleton on the bump can be a sticker or a small printout attached with double-sided tape.
The trade-off: Fabric paint takes time to dry and can crack when you move. Stickers are faster but might peel by the end of the night.
Pro tip: Use a white paint pen instead of a brush. The control is better, and you can draw the bones directly on the black fabric without a stencil.
5. Pumpkin and Pumpkin Farmer
Why it works: Orange maternity dress or shirt with a green stem headband for you, flannel shirt and jeans with a straw hat for your partner. It’s comfortable, it’s seasonal, and it works for any body type.
How to do it: Orange dress ($25–$40), green felt stem ($5), flannel shirt ($20), straw hat ($10). You can also paint a jack-o’-lantern face on the bump with washable marker, which kids love.
The trade-off: Orange is not everyone’s color. If you don’t like how orange looks on you, go as a pumpkin spice latte instead — brown dress, white whipped cream headband, cinnamon stick accessory.
Pro tip: Use a washable marker, not permanent, for the jack-o’-lantern face. Permanent marker on a pregnant belly is a mistake you only make once.
6. Fortune Teller and Crystal Ball
Why it works: You wear a flowing caftan or maxi dress with lots of jewelry and a headwrap, and your partner wears a silver or purple outfit with a clear plastic ornament over their belly (or yours, if you want the bump to be the “crystal ball”).
How to do it: Caftan ($30–$50), jewelry you already own, headwrap ($10), silver leggings and top for partner ($25), clear plastic ornament or a painted balloon for the ball ($5).
The trade-off: Caftans are comfortable but can look like a muumuu if you don’t style them right. Belt it above the bump or add a statement necklace to give it shape.
Pro tip: If your partner is wearing the crystal ball, put it on their chest instead of their belly. It looks more like a fortune teller holding a ball and less like they’re also pregnant.
Funny Halloween Costumes for Expecting Parents (The Bump Does the Joke)
These are for couples who want people to laugh when they walk in.
7. Alien Abduction
Why it works: You wear a black outfit with a green alien baby emerging from your bump (a small green plush alien attached to the front), and your partner wears a silver alien costume. It’s weird, it’s funny, and it’s a conversation starter.
How to do it: Black maternity dress or leggings and top ($30), green plush alien ($8–$12), silver alien mask and antennae headband for partner ($15–$25).
The trade-off: The “alien emerging from the bump” joke requires the plush to be positioned correctly. If it’s too high, it looks like a chest burster from Alien, which is a different vibe.
Pro tip: Use a small green alien toy instead of a full plush. It weighs less and stays in place better with safety pins.
8. Basketball and Basketball Player
Why it works: You wear an orange dress or top with black lines drawn on the bump to look like a basketball, and your partner wears a jersey and shorts. It’s simple, it’s sporty, and it’s genuinely comfortable.
How to do it: Orange dress ($25), black fabric marker for the lines, jersey and shorts for partner ($30–$40), a headband or wristbands for both ($10).
The trade-off: Drawing straight lines on a round belly is harder than it looks. Use a ruler or a piece of string as a guide.
Pro tip: Draw the lines before you put the dress on, using a dress form or a pillow to simulate the bump. It’s much harder to draw on yourself in a mirror.
9. Avocado Toast
Why it works: You wear a brown dress with a green “avocado” circle on the bump, and your partner wears a piece of toast (a cardboard frame painted tan with a “butter” pat on their chest). It’s a very millennial joke, which is exactly why it works.
How to do it: Brown dress ($25), green felt circle ($5), cardboard and paint for the toast ($10), butter-colored felt ($3). Total under $50 for both.
The trade-off: The avocado toast joke is dated. If your crowd is younger, they’ll love it. If your crowd is older, you’ll spend the night explaining it.
Pro tip: Add a tiny “everything bagel seasoning” detail with black and white felt dots on the avocado. It’s the small details that sell the costume.
10. Pizza Delivery Guy and Pizza
Why it works: You wear a tan or red dress with red and yellow felt circles for pepperoni and cheese on the bump, and your partner wears a delivery uniform with a pizza box. It’s funny, it’s comfortable, and you can carry a real pizza box as a prop.
How to do it: Tan dress ($20), red and yellow felt ($8), delivery hat and shirt for partner ($20), empty pizza box ($0 — ask your local pizza place for a clean one).
The trade-off: People will ask if you have real pizza in the box. You will have to say no approximately 47 times.
Pro tip: Put a real slice of pizza in the box. It’s a prop that doubles as a snack, and pregnant people deserve snacks.
11. Construction Worker and “Under Construction” Sign
Why it works: You wear a yellow shirt or dress with an “Under Construction” sign on the bump, and your partner wears a hard hat, safety vest, and tool belt. It’s a classic pregnancy announcement costume.
How to do it: Yellow dress ($20), printable sign ($0), hard hat ($10), safety vest ($10), tool belt ($15). Total under $60.
The trade-off: The “under construction” joke is very common. If you want something more original, go as a “loading” screen instead — you wear a white shirt with a progress bar on the bump, and your partner wears a computer or phone costume.
Pro tip: Print the sign on iron-on transfer paper instead of regular paper. It stays flat against the bump and doesn’t crinkle.
12. Bob Ross and a Happy Little Tree
Why it works: Your partner wears a curly wig, beard, and paint-splattered shirt, and you wear a brown dress with green felt leaves pinned to the bump. It’s wholesome, it’s funny, and Bob Ross fans will lose their minds.
How to do it: Curly wig ($15), fake beard ($8), paint-splattered shirt ($15), brown dress ($25), green felt leaves ($5), safety pins.
The trade-off: The leaves need to be pinned carefully so they don’t poke you. Use safety pins with the sharp side facing outward, or use fabric glue if you don’t mind the dress being permanent.
Pro tip: Carry a small paintbrush and a palette as props. It completes the look and gives you something to hold in photos.
Pop Culture Halloween Costumes for Expecting Parents (For Couples Who Love a Reference)
These are the ones people will photograph and post.
13. Juno and Paulie Bleeker
Why it works: Juno is literally a pregnant character, which makes this the most on-the-nose costume for expecting parents. You wear a striped orange and white shirt, jeans, and a hamburger phone; your partner wears yellow running shorts and a red track shirt.
How to do it: Striped shirt ($20), jeans ($30), hamburger phone ($15 on Etsy or Amazon), yellow shorts and red shirt for partner ($25). Total under $100.
The trade-off: The hamburger phone is the detail that makes the costume recognizable. Without it, people might just think you’re wearing a striped shirt. If you can’t find one, print a picture of a hamburger phone and tape it to a real phone.
Pro tip: This works best if your partner has short hair or can pull off the Paulie Bleeker look. If not, they can still wear the outfit — the costume reads from the clothes more than the hair.
14. Mike and Sulley (With Boo on the Bump)
Why it works: You wear a teal or blue dress with purple spots for Sulley, your partner wears a green shirt with one big eye for Mike, and a small Boo doll or a pink onesie is attached to the bump. It’s a family costume before the baby is even here, which is very cute.
How to do it: Teal dress ($25), purple felt spots ($5), green shirt ($15), one large eye cut from white and black felt ($5), Boo doll or pink onesie ($10). Total under $60.
The trade-off: Monsters Inc. is a popular costume theme, so you might see other versions at the same party. The Boo-on-the-bump detail makes yours stand out.
Pro tip: Attach Boo with a strap around your neck or shoulders, not pinned directly to the dress. It keeps the doll in place and doesn’t damage the fabric.
15. Popeye and Olive Oyl
Why it works: Popeye and Olive Oyl are a classic couple costume, and Olive Oyl’s lanky, slightly awkward energy pairs perfectly with a pregnant body. You wear a black dress with a white collar, a red neckerchief, and your hair in a bun; your partner wears a sailor shirt, sailor hat, and fake muscles.
How to do it: Black dress ($25), white collar ($5), red neckerchief ($5), sailor shirt and hat for partner ($25), fake muscles ($15). Total under $80.
The trade-off: The fake muscles can look cheap if they’re not good quality. If you want to skip them, your partner can just wear the sailor outfit and carry a can of spinach.
Pro tip: Carry a real can of spinach as a prop. It’s funny, it’s cheap, and it’s a conversation starter.
16. Shrek and Fiona (Pregnant Fiona)
Why it works: Pregnant Fiona is literally a plot point in Shrek 2, which makes this the most accurate pop culture costume for expecting parents. You wear a green dress with a crown and green face paint or a mask, and your partner wears a Shrek mask and brown vest.
How to do it: Green dress ($30), crown ($10), green face paint or mask ($10), Shrek mask ($20), brown vest ($15). Total under $100.
The trade-off: Green face paint is uncomfortable and can stain. If you’re not committed to the full green look, wear a green dress and a crown and call it “human Fiona pregnant,” which is still recognizable.
Pro tip: If you do the full green paint, use a cream-based formula, not a water-based one. It’s more comfortable and lasts longer, and it won’t crack when you smile.
17. Eleven and Mike Wheeler (Stranger Things)
Why it works: Eleven’s pink dress and blue jacket are instantly recognizable, and the Eggo waffle detail is a fun prop. Your partner wears a plaid shirt and jeans for Mike.
How to do it: Pink dress ($20), blue jacket ($20), Eggo waffles ($5), plaid shirt and jeans for partner ($25). Total under $80.
The trade-off: This costume is more about the clothes than the bump. If you want the bump to be part of the joke, carry a box of Eggos and say you’re “eating for two.”
Pro tip: Carry a bloody nose prop (a small red makeup mark under your nose) to complete the Eleven look. It’s a small detail that makes the costume instantly recognizable.
Last-Minute Halloween Costumes for Expecting Parents (Under $30, Under 30 Minutes)
For when you decided to go to a party three days ago.
18. Black Cat and Mouse
Why it works: You wear all black with cat ears and a tail, your partner wears all gray with mouse ears and a tail. It’s the easiest couple costume in existence, and it works on any body type.
How to do it: Black leggings and top (you already own), cat ears ($5), tail ($5), gray leggings and top for partner ($20), mouse ears ($5), tail ($5). Total under $40.
The trade-off: It’s very basic. If you want to make it more interesting, add a “cat playing with a mouse” detail — your partner carries a piece of cheese, or you carry a toy mouse.
Pro tip: Use a headband with ears instead of a full cat hood. It’s more comfortable and doesn’t mess up your hair.
19. Deviled Egg and Egg
Why it works: You wear a white dress with a yellow circle on the bump (the yolk), and your partner wears a white shirt with red horns and a tail (the devil). It’s a pun, it’s easy, and it’s genuinely funny.
How to do it: White dress ($20), yellow felt circle ($3), red horns ($5), red tail ($5), white shirt for partner ($15). Total under $50.
The trade-off: The “deviled egg” joke requires both people to be together for it to land. If you’re separated at the party, you’re just a person in a white dress and a person with horns.
Pro tip: Carry a plate of deviled eggs as a prop. It makes the joke obvious and gives you a snack.
DIY vs. Pre-Made vs. Rental: What’s Actually Worth It for Maternity Halloween Costumes
| DIY | Pre-Made | Rental | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | $15–$50 | $40–$90 | $30–$60 for 3 days |
| Time | 1–4 hours | 10 minutes (plus shipping) | 30 minutes (pickup/drop-off) |
| Fit | Custom to your bump | Hit or miss — check size charts | Limited maternity options |
| Comfort | You control the materials | Varies widely | Varies, usually not maternity-specific |
| Best for | Creative couples, tight budgets | Busy couples who want convenience | One-time events, elaborate costumes |
| Worst for | People who hate crafting | Anyone ordering after October 20 | Anyone who wants to keep the costume |
The honest answer: For most expecting parents, a mix of DIY and pre-made works best. Buy the base pieces (dress, shirt, accessories) and DIY the bump-specific details. That’s what I did for the pumpkin costume — I bought an orange dress and made the stem from felt. Total cost: $28.
Pro tip: Check Facebook Marketplace and local buy-nothing groups in early October. I got a maternity skeleton costume for $10 from a woman who wore it once. It’s already in my closet for next year.
What I’d Do First If I Were Doing This Pregnant Again
I’d start with the costume that makes the bump the star and requires the least amount of effort. For me, that’s the pumpkin and pumpkin farmer — orange dress, green stem, flannel shirt. It’s comfortable, it’s recognizable, and it costs under $50 for both of us.
Then I’d buy one backup costume from the last-minute section — black cat and mouse, probably — so if the first one doesn’t fit or feels wrong on the night of, I have a Plan B that takes five minutes to put together.
And I’d skip anything with a cape, a jumpsuit, or a full-body suit. Pregnant bodies need airflow, bathroom access, and the ability to sit down. Any costume that doesn’t check those three boxes is a costume you’ll regret by 9pm.
Frequently Asked Questions About Halloween Costumes for Expecting Parents
What’s the most comfortable Halloween costume for a pregnant woman?
Anything that’s a dress or a loose top with leggings. Avoid jumpsuits, corsets, and anything with a cape or a lot of layers. The pumpkin, fortune teller, and Juno costumes on this list are the most comfortable because they’re based on dresses or loose clothing.
How do I make a Halloween costume work with a growing bump?
Buy one size up, choose fabrics with stretch, and look for costumes where the bump is part of the design rather than something you have to hide. If you’re DIYing, use safety pins and Velcro instead of sewing — you can adjust the fit as your bump grows.
Where can I find maternity Halloween costumes in plus sizes?
Options are limited, but they exist. Target, Amazon, and ASOS all carry plus-size maternity costumes, though the selection is smaller. For DIY, a maxi dress in your size plus accessories is easier to find than a pre-made plus-size maternity costume. Etsy sellers who make custom costumes are also a good option if you order early.
How much should I expect to spend on a couple’s Halloween costume for expecting parents?
A DIY costume for both people runs $20 to $50. Pre-made costumes for two run $60 to $120. Rental for elaborate costumes is $40 to $80 for a weekend. The pumpkin and farmer costume I recommended costs about $50 total if you buy everything new.
Can I wear a regular Halloween costume if I’m pregnant, or do I need a maternity one?
You can wear a regular costume if it’s loose or stretchy, but you’ll be more comfortable in something designed for a pregnant body or a DIY version you can adjust. The main issue is fit — a regular costume that fits your pre-pregnancy body won’t fit your third-trimester body, and sizing up doesn’t always work because the proportions are off.
What are the best Halloween costumes for a pregnant woman who doesn’t want to show her bump?
Go as something with a loose silhouette — a fortune teller, a witch, a ghost, or a black cat. Anything with a flowing dress or a cape hides the bump without making you look like you’re trying to hide it. The fortune teller costume is a good option because the caftan naturally drapes over the bump.
How do I involve my partner in a couple’s costume if they’re not into dressing up?
Pick a costume where the non-pregnant partner’s outfit is minimal — a t-shirt, a hat, or a simple prop. The pizza delivery guy, the pumpkin farmer, and the Mike Wazowski costumes all require minimal effort from the partner while still making the couple’s costume work.
When should I order a Halloween costume if I’m pregnant?
Order by the first week of October. That gives you time to try it on, return it if it doesn’t work, and order a backup if needed. If you’re ordering from a specialty maternity costume shop, order by late September — their sizes sell out fast, and shipping can take longer than expected.