DIY Halloween Costume Ideas

Growing up, Halloween was about who could rake in the most candy or whose costume involved the most fake blood. I remember racing from house to house in a Scream mask that actually had a faux blood pump (yes, I was that little girl). Then I went to college… I quickly learned that thanks to the media and movies like Mean Girls, Halloween had been dubbed “the one night a year when girls can dress like a total slut and no other girls can say anything about it.” Don’t get me wrong, I’m not knocking the cinematic genius that is Mean Girls, but for those of us who don’t subscribe to the idea that Halloween is simply a chance for girls to dress in as little clothing as possible, the holiday presents a unique problem.  
The costume has a twofold responsibility. It needs to convey that we’re witty and creative, but must also make us look cute and attractive. God forbid we pull a Lindsey Lohan and actually frighten people by dressing as a rather terrifying “ex-wife.” If you’re really going to walk into that frat-gone-haunted-house and turn a few heads, you need to get serious now.
Since our Ramen-Noodles-for-dinner budget doesn’t allow for shopping at the overpriced Halloween superstores, I suggest getting creative with your costume this year. Start by checking out the DIY Costume Ideas guide, created by the team at Socks4Life.com. It’s full of clever dress-up ideas for the big night and the best part is, the materials can be found lying around your dorm room or at a local secondhand store (Miamians should check out Hamilton and Cincinnati for some good stores). So if you’re in to budget-friendly, award-winning costumes, read on for a few ideas from the guide.

Orbit Gum Girl
Not only do you probably own all the necessary materials for this costume, but you’ll have gum on hand should your getup attract the attention of the opposite sex.

What you’ll need:

• White, tailored dress
• Colorful neck scarf
• Blonde, curly voluminous hair

Carry around a pack of Orbit gum and act super perky saying things like, “Fabulous,” “Dirty mouth? Clean it up!” and “For a good clean feeling…”

Shooting Star
Funny girls, this is the perfect costume for you. Explaining the pun makes for a great ice breaker and guys will love your spandex…err sense of humor.

What you’ll need:

• Black long-sleeved shirt. Draw a large yellow star on the front of the shirt.
• Black spandex pants
• Stick water guns in the waist of your pants

When someone asks what you are, you can demonstrate your sharp shooting skills to explain your “shoot star” costume.

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KISS
Got a soft spot for guys in bands? This is the costume for you. Not only is this great for photo ops, but you finally get to wear those high-heeled leather boots and tight pants without shame.

What you’ll need:

• Tight black pants: Add studs and rhinestones and wear a studded belt
• Tight black t-shirt: Cut a deep v-shape in the front of the shirt
• Tall black boots
• Leather wristbands and choker necklaces
• Paint your face white and copy the design of your favorite KISS member (ex: black star over one eye)
• Wear a black wig and tease it so that it’s untamed

Seven Deadly Sins:
This clever costume for you and six of your best friends is witty, but still allows you to look attractive—a win, win. 

What you’ll need:

• Greed: Dress in a suit and wear a money necktie or wear an over-the-top, shimmery dress. Attach fake money to your outfit and wear lots of gaudy gold jewelry.
• Sloth: Wear your pajamas and slippers. Tousle your hair to make it look as if you just woke up. Move slowly and act generally lazy.
• Envy: Wear green pants and a green shirt. Try to take things from people all night.
• Pride: Wear an old prom dress or extravagant outfit, a tiara and a sash with something like “Queen/King of ___” written on it. Praise yourself and comment on how good you look.
• Gluttony: Wear an apron with the pockets full of candy and snacks. Stick wrappers all over your outfit. Carry around bag of potato chips.
• Wrath: Wear dark jeans, a leather jacket, leather bands with studs as bracelets and chocker necklaces. Put streaks of red in your hair. Act angry and mean towards people.
• Lust: Wear a tight, risqué outfit and wear lots of makeup. For a boy, wear dark pants and a dark red shirt; carry around a Victoria’s Secret catalog.

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Old-School Basketball Player:
Boys will appreciate your costume’s sports reference…and those short shorts.

What you’ll need:

• Short gym shorts
• Sleeveless jersey
• Sweat band
• Knee-high socks
• High-top gym shoes

 
For additional getup ideas, head to the DIY Costume Ideas guide. Most importantly, enjoy Halloween weekend and keep it classy!
 
Special thanks to our guest author, Maggie Voelker. She graduated from Miami of Ohio in May of 2011. She’s now working as a content writer in Indianapolis—her most recent project including the DIY Costume Ideas guide. Outside of work (and missing Miami), Maggie loves live music, staying active, traveling and spending time with family and friends.