On the average college student’s budget, it may be hard to afford Halloween costumes from specialty or retail stores. Nonetheless, it is still possible to live on a budget and have a great Halloween costume this year.
One affordable, but still Halloween-ready way to don a scary outfit is to dress up as a serial killer. This costume is as simple as picking up a white plastic mask, dressing in all black and carrying around a faux knife. There you have it, a simple and affordable way to celebrate the holiday.
If you’re keen on the horror movie villain route, a great option is Jason Voorhees. All you need is a white hockey mask, a fake machete and any outfit of your choice.
A similar option is going with the villain from the Scream series. Just pick up a ghostface mask, the iconic black robes, and a fake weapon of choice. These options provide the same level of affordability as the generic serial killer, but with a bit more star power to drive the ensemble.
Karthik Yagna, a graduate student in computer networking, said he will most likely dress up like a villain this Halloween.
“I will probably dress as the Grim Reaper,” Yagna said. “Or something that needs a long black robe, because it is one of the most inexpensive costumes.”
Another great way to have a fun, affordable Halloween costume is to piece something together from objects you can find around your house. Using items you already have in your closet is both an efficient and wallet-friendly way to create a simple costume. This route also provides an opportunity to wear items that don’t make it into your standard wardrobe very often.
Shauntia Walton, a senior in biology, said she plans to use things she already has in her closet for a costume.
“I will probably wear a black dress, some cute heels and be a witch,” Walton said. “It’s a simple way to be fashionable and not spend too much money for a costume.”
Using clothes you already have to create a costume also creates a chance to go outside of your normal comfort zone and express a different side of yourself.
Dressing up like a celebrity is a popular alternative that wont break your wallet. Movie stars, athletes and musicians usually have a recognizable style and can provide an easily-replicated look to use.
Tierra Pressley, a senior in biology, said she would go Grecian to save money on a costume.
“I think it’s a creative way to make a costume and not have to spend a lot of money,” Pressley said. “It’s easy to just use a bed sheet as a toga and it can be a lot of fun.”
These represent just a few of the numerous options there are to create a cost-effective and exciting costume to celebrate the end of October. With just a bit of ingenuity and a creative mind, there exist plenty of ways to dress appropriately for Halloween.
