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5 Clichéd Halloween Costumes & What to Wear Instead (Trinity Edition)

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Trinity chapter.

I’m tired of looking around the party on Halloween weekend and seeing the same costumes over and over again.  There is a way to look sexy without wearing minimal clothing, you know.  This year, instead of falling back on your go-to animal costume because it’s “cute,” get a little creative!  HCTrin has come up with five fabulous alternatives to the suggestive attire that lines costume stores these days.

Instead of being a sexy cop, be a campus safety officer!
 
Let’s admit it to ourselves: slutty civil service costumes have been done.  I know it’s an easy go-to when costumes shops are chock-full of them and you feel crunched for time and creativity, but there is an alternative!  Dressing up as one of our omnipresent and always understanding campus safety officers is not only a funny way to show up to a Halloween party, you also don’t have to worry about people wondering who you are because they are such a large presence on campus!  To achieve this look you can wear a navy polo and navy pants, or a navy blue jump suit (like a men’s “mechanic” costume) and a police officer’s hat.  All you have to do is label your costume with patches that say “campus safety” and you’ll be all set!  No need for short skirts and handcuffs, ladies….

Instead of being a cute cheerleader or a sexy softball player, be a Trinity athlete!
 
What better way to put a twist on this classic costume and show your school spirit!  Besides, I’m sure you’ve already dressed up as cheerleader at some point in your adolescence.  Trinity is full of talented athletic teams, and the bookstore carries paraphernalia for all of them.  If you’re already on a sports team, pose as a different team member!  Don’t want to drop the cash at the bookstore for this costume?  What a great excuse to meet a cute football, soccer, basketball, lacrosse, baseball, squash, etc. player and borrow his jersey!  Dressing up as a team could also make a cute and affordable group costume for you and your friends!

Instead of being a “bunny,” (ahem-playboy playmate) be the Bantam!
 
Every girl knows dressing up as some sort of cuddly creature (bunny, mouse, cat, etc.) is just an excuse to wear a cute black dress and heels.  This year, why not re-vamp this timeless tradition by dressing as Trinity’s mascot!  All you have to do is wear some combination of yellow clothing; I suggest a skirt with some feathers attached to the back for a cute tail!  On top sport your favorite Trinity shirt like the Bantam and make sure to stick some feathers in your hair!

Don’t avoid the plaque, BE the plaque.
 
Why no guy has ever dressed as the plaque is beyond me.  Here at Trinity we all know what happens if you accidently step on the plaque, and how to reverse the curse (in my mind a seemingly flawless pick-up line for a frat bro—psych).  But seriously, this year instead of being creepily hit on because of your suggestive costume, why not beat all those boys to the punch and dress up as one of Trinity’s most tabu traditions! 

All you have to do is find two large pieces of cardboard and string them together so they hang over your shoulders.  Inscribe the front piece of cardboard with the Latin inscription dedicated to Theodore Roosevelt’s honorary degree “Let not the man who has prepared for war boast as equally as the man who has lain down his arms.”  The back is where you can get creative!  I suggest writing “Don’t step on me!” so your fellow Bantams understand exactly where you stand.

Group Costume: Dress up as your favorite theme parties. 
From the welcome back luau, to 80’s night, to spring weekend, to the various costume parties hosted by fraternities, there are plenty of themes to imitate for this costume!  Have each girl in your group of friends pick their favorite theme party of the year, and dress as if she was attending it that night.  With such crazy social schedules you will probably be attending more than one party on Halloween weekend—and no Trinity collegiette™ would be caught dead in the same costume twice.  This idea is a great way to recycle a costume you already have, and if you end up separating from your friends that night, your outfit will still make sense without them!
 
Sources:
http://www.kaboodle.com/reviews/sexy-cop-costume–sexy-cop-adult-halloween-costume–romper-7
http://www.halloweenplayground.com/sports-c-282.html
http://www.hbsgw.com/product_Plush-Tuxedo-Sexy-Bunny-Halloween-Costumes-468–559205.html

Julia is a senior at Trinity College in Hartford, CT.  She is a double major in English and American Studies.  Julia serves on the English Adviosry Board, and is an active particpant in various performances on campus through the Thearter and Dance and the Music Department at Trinity.  She loves to write, has a passion for music and dance, and sometimes thinks she's as funny as Vince Vaughn.