Halloween is right around the corner, which means it’s time to shop for costumes. One of the biggest issues students run into is saving money on their costumes. It can be so expensive to buy new items, especially for girls. Buying clothes, hair accessories, and shoes can get over-budget quick. Saving money requires out of the box thinking. By using the clothes you already have and making your own accessories, you can be a little less broke during the busiest time of the semester.
During the past few years, I’ve collected some tips to help you save money this spooky season.
1. Buying Secondhand
This is the most eco-friendly and cost-effective tip I have. I like to shop at Savers, since there’s one close to my hometown. Secondhand stores such as Goodwill, the Salvation Army, and, like I previously mentioned, Savers have a variety of clothes for under $20. There are lots of sizes with different types of pieces, which is key for a cool costume. During spooky season, the stores will sometimes have a rack for clothes that would make good costume pieces. Not only do these stores carry clothes, but they have accessories such as shoes, hats, and jewelry. The only downside to shopping at these stores is that a fitting room isn’t guaranteed.
For my Barbie costume, I dressed up as reporter Barbie. I was inspired by the movie, Barbie, and my love for broadcast reporting. I bought both the pink blazer and white tweed skirt at Savers for less than $20. I also made the Barbie logo for a speaker mic I had. Making stuff for my costume is always my favorite part.
2. Making your own accessories
Whether you’re crafty or not, this is a fun way to get into the Halloween spirit. Making accessories can save you a lot of time and is also a great way to celebrate before Halloween with friends. This tip is great for superhero costumes, cartoon characters, and princesses. It can also make for a great photo op that gives off Pinterest vibes.
A few years ago, I dressed up as Wanda Maximoff, specifically her comic book costume that was shown in her show on Disney+, WandaVision. I’m a big fan of her character and Marvel in general, so I wanted my costume to look the best it could. I made her headpiece using some rubber string and cut up some red felt. I bought a cheap red bodysuit online and cut the neckline to fit Wanda’s costume a bit more. You can always DIY costumes to fit your preference, it’s a fun holiday so have fun!
3. Use what’s in your closet
For all the fashion girlies who have all the cool tops, now is your time to shine. By using some of your basics such as a white top or black boots, you can easily have a whole lot of options for your costume. You’re saving money by not buying more than what you have. It would also be a good idea to add a scarf or jewelry to better fit your costume. Something to think about is ways to use a piece differently than intended. For example, tying a scarf around your skirt to give off the costume’s vibe.
4. Borrowing from your family & friends
This tip works great if you have a friend who loves to accessorize with pieces where size isn’t important, such as jewelry, hats, and scarves. If you live near your friends and family, I’d ask around. You guys can even trade pieces! You never know the last time someone cleaned out their closet. If your friends have a different style taste, they can also help you put together your costume. Who doesn’t like playing dress up?
5. bUY PIECES SEPERATELY
This tip works great if you already have most of what you need for your costume. By using the filters on websites for prices, colors, and sizes, you’re saving time and money. Sometimes buying a costume in a full set can be pricey, especially for the quality you’re getting. Although these items’ purpose is Halloween, it would be great if you could reuse pieces throughout the rest of the year.
Halloween is a fun time, so have fun with your costume. Spending money can be scary, especially right before the holidays, but if you’re smart with your money, you can still have an awesome costume. There are a lot more tips you can find online for how to save money on Halloween this year. Make sure to check the shipping price when buying online: sometimes it can be higher than what you’re buying. Accessories are everything to a costume, so consider making something with your friends, or stealing something from your mom’s closet.