      Halloween is right around the corner, and we all know Halloween means dressing up and having a good time! But what to wear? These days, there are so many options available for who or what to dress up as you might feel daunted on what to choose. Whatever you choose, here are some tips to make the best costume you can, how to find some great additions for as little money as possible, and how a great costume can make for a great night of fun!
           The first thing you have to know about costumes is the more detailed and elaborate they are, the more realistic and better they appear! Retail costumes are usually very cheap and have very little details to make you stand out. In order to truly make the right image, you have to go all out. But this doesn’t mean sinking all your money into your costume, or buying the really expensive ones at the store. There are many options available to you in order to get the look you’re going for.
           Your closet should be your first stop when making your own costume. More often than not, there will be something you can use in your closet to either provide a foundation for the rest of the costume, or to give you an idea of what else you need. You don’t need to have anything elaborate or particular for your costume. This part is mainly to discover what you have to work with and what else you need.
           Good-will stores are your best friend when shopping for what to wear for Halloween. Seasoned discount store shoppers know there are tons of unique and cheap items of clothing to find, that when put together, create a realistic and appealing costume. And the best part is, these clothes are usually cheap, so you don’t have to worry about losing money. And trust me, finding more accessories to highlight your costume makes all the difference. So comb through your local discount or good-will store for some pieces that will go with your costume; there will definitely be something there you can use!
           As well as finding layers of clothing to add to your costume, subtle items can accentuate the look you’re going for. Even the smallest details, when compared to the whole get up, can stand out and really give your costume a more elaborate edge. For instance, I went as Jack Sparrow one time (there should be a Captain in there somewhere), and while I had the hat, shirt, and jacket down, I added sashes, jewelry, rings, and more to make my costume different and personalized. Essentially, the more details you add, and the more time and effort you put into making your costume, the more it will stand out from bland retail costumes and give you a unique appearance.
           Now that you have an individual and eye-popping costume, time to go out and have fun! Show off your costume and take comfort in the fact that your costume looks a lot better than the cheap novelty ones at retail stores. Vanity aside, congratulate yourself for your hard work and desire to make the best costume possible and take pride in your ability to be creative. Hopefully you’ve learned a few things about what you want to do for Halloween, and have fun making your costumes!