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DIY Halloween Costumes

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Katie Lally Student Contributor, University of Missouri
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Vanessa Meuir Student Contributor, University of Missouri
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Mizzou chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.
Are you tired of spending money every October on Halloween costumes that you only wear once a year? Then scrounge up some items from the back of your closet (and maybe your best friend’s) to create some one-of-a-kind Halloween costumes. They’re a fraction of the price and still look super cute!

“Baywatch” Pamela Anderson
What you’ll need:

  • Red one-piece swimsuit
  • Beach shorts
  • Flip-flops
  • A whistle for around your neck
  • Crazy, voluminous hair

Sarah Palin
What you’ll need:

  • Classic red or white button-up shirt
  • Black pencil skirt (or mini skirt to turn up the sex appeal)
  • Glasses with rectangular frames
  • American flag pin
  • Black pumps
  • Big bangs with hair pinned back or pulled half up with the ends flipped

Ke$ha
What you’ll need:

  • Ripped, vintage-y tank top
  • Distressed acid-wash denim shorts
  • Fishnets (ripped or colorful for extra spunk)
  • High-top Nike or Converse sneakers (preferably super bright)
  • Teased, wild hair
  • Headband worn across your forehead
  • TONS of body glitter

“Toddlers and Tiaras” Pageant Queen
What you’ll need:

  • Sparkly homecoming or prom dress (extra credit for a ball gown)
  • Lacy socks and white patent leather Mary Janes
  • Curly hair in an up-do
  • Spray tan
  • Over-the-top pageant makeup
  • Tiara (duh!)

Orbit Girl
What you’ll need:

  • White dress
  • Pink headband
  • Pink kerchief
  • Pink heels
  • Pink Orbit Gum – a must-have accessory


Vanessa Meuir is senior majoring in magazine journalism and English. She was born in St. Louis, MO and raised in Columbia, MO where she now attends school. In addition to her involvement with Her Campus Mizzou, she works in Mizzou's athletics department and serves as a writing tutor for students on campus. She has gained most of her journalistic experience while writing and blogging for the Columbia Missourian, a local newspaper, and Vox magazine, a student-run campus magazine. She also gained some publishing experience while interning at The Missouri Review, a literary magazine. When Vanessa is not working or in class, she enjoys maintaining a personal blog that comments on reality television, spending time with her five roommates, reading and dabbling in amateur photography. Among her favorite things are diet coke, The Lord of the Rings trilogy, the Disney Channel and fuzzy socks.