The average store-bought costume can cost an upwards of $50, and it takes a lot of time trying to find the right one that looks and fits the best. The right costume is unique enough to where fellow party-goers won’t wear the same one. If students are going to spend money on a costume then they are most likely going to wear it for a couple nights and hopefully stretch their bucks by choosing a versatile costume that can be worn after the festivities.
Students struggling financially have another option: accessorize. Start by looking at pieces of clothing that would complement certain accessories for a costume.
For example, say a student wants to be an animal for Halloween, she can buy the accessories to the costume and dress it up with her own wardrobe. Try mixing a dress or black leggings and a crop top with some animal ears. The costume will show just enough skin and still be warm in the evening. Buying accessories and using them with one’s wardrobe is one of the cheaper ways to go because students are only spending money on the statement pieces, rather than on the whole costume.
Finally, the cheapest way to go is to make a whole costume from scratch. Students can use duct tape to make just about anything: a jacket, dress, and shirt. Pipe cleaners can be used to make headbands such as cat ears, bunny ears and devil horns. Also, students who are a little bit craftier can sew their own costumes using materials from their own closet or a crafts store. If students have an old dress they can cut it up, sew it together, and throw on a few accessories. Voila! A one-of-a-kind costume that is not likely to be seen on anyone else.
Halloween costume shopping can be a very stressful situation at times. It just depends on how much money one is willing to spend, the level of creativity, and how much time a person is willing to dedicate to costume creation.
Remember, there are only a few days until Halloween, so have fun, be creative, take risks and never give up on finding the perfect costume. Patience, creativity, and perseverance are key to helping one succeed in the game of costume shopping.
Courtney Salinger is the fashion columnist for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at culture@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @lookinfresh23.
