The fall chill is finally starting to settle all around campus, and with the start of October of course comes the anticipation for Halloween. With the holiday falling on a Friday this year that means plenty of costume parties and spooky outings providing you with the perfect opportunity to try out multiple exciting looks. Of course as thrifty college students the idea of shelling out the funds to buy even one new outfit that can only be worn once a year isn’t exactly appealing. Luckily, it’s super easy to put together tons of cool costumes with just the stuff commonly found in most collegiate closets combined with a few fun, inexpensive accessories. So whether you’re looking for something totally terrifying or girly and glamorous there are tons of unique options to choose from!
1. Decade Throwback
One exciting costume to tryout is bringing back the most noteworthy trends from years past and pulling together an outfit that looks as if you just stepped straight out of a time machine. From the flapper ensembles of the 1920s to the big curls and shoulder pads of the 1980s, there’s no shortage to the number of historically inspired ensembles that you can come up with. To save cash and avoid cheaply made fabrics that will tear after the first wear skip ordering these looks from Halloween stores, and instead head to a thrift shop in the area to score some authentic vintage pieces for a fraction of the price.
Two specific suggestions to try are the 1960s and the 1990s. Both of these eras have come back in style lately meaning that you probably already own certain essential items already! To get that breezy hippie vibe layer a peasant top over a flowing maxi skirt and accessorize with a floral crown and some bohemian looking sandals.
And any child of the 90s knows that nothing says “As if!” more than a plaid mini, knee high socks, and a preppy sweater vest or oversized blazer pared with a crisp button down. Complete the look by piling on the fuzzy scrunchies, slap bracelets and choker necklaces. (Any authentic Spice Girls or *Nsync memorabilia is of course worth bonus points).
2. Silver Screen Inspiration
Everyone dreams of being a movie star for a night, and Halloween is the perfect opportunity to slip into the role of your favorite film character. One always-popular option is to go as a classic Hollywood by channeling someone like Audrey Hepburn’s character Holly Golightly in the film Breakfast At Tiffany’s. This iconic look is actually very simple to assemble. Grab a plain black dress from your closet, add some black kitten heels (pumps or flats would also work), and pick up a strand of fake pearls and some long black gloves from the party store. Then the last step is just to put your hair up in the signature updo and you’re good to go. (cat named Cat sadly not included)
Another quick option for those looking to go more indie drama than Old Hollywood Glamour is Marla Singer from the cult classic Fight Club. Emulating this style is all about dishevelment. Find an old formal dress from a second hand shop (Marla in fact says she got her bridesmaid’s dress “at the thrift store for one dollar”) rip it up a bit to get that same grungy vibe and carry around some fake cigarettes to pull the whole thing together.
3. Scare Tactics
As per tradition, Halloween of course is a night meant to invoke the spooky, strange, and supernatural. So why not take the chance to channel your dark side for a night and go out on the town as a ghoulish ghost, threatening vampire, or rotting zombie? Achieving the wardrobe for any of these looks isn’t very difficult (just think black and flowy). The real detail is in the makeup. Apply a liberal amount of pale foundation all over your face to begin with since there really isn’t that much sun expose for those buried six feet under. Then to get that hollowed out appearance, use a matte gray eye shadow to contour your cheekbones and around your nose, drag some gray and red underneath your eyes to appear sickly, and finish with some red lipstick and plastic fangs to really vamp up the look.
4.Wild Kingdom
If you’re really into the whole different identity concept that Halloween provides than what could be more different than dressing up like an entirely different species?! This option insures that you’ll be both cute and cozy all night long. The classic black cat outfit is timeless, but it would also be fun to check out some less common or more exotic creatures in order to prevent yourself from showing up at a party dressed exactly like three other girls. Two possible options I found were a fuzzy black and gray raccoon outfit which can be spiced up with the addition of some striped stockings, and an adorable giraffe look that can be achieved by putting together a tan skirt and shirt with a pair of animal ears and some skillfully applied brown body paint in the shape of patches.
Whatever you choose to be this Halloween remember this is the best time of the year to go as crazy with your clothes as you want, so make the most of it and have a blast!