Every year you think: “I won’t wait until the last minute to put my Halloween costume together.” But here it is, the Thursday before Halloween weekend and you have no costume — and even worse, no ideas!
Calm down. There are such things as easy and cheap costume ideas — most of which you can compile with items at your own house.
For the more creative folk, one of my favorite ideas is a Rubik’s cube. Simply put different colored squares of paper on a box, cut a hole for your head and arms and dress in all black. You can be a completed cube or a jumbled cube. My favorite version of this costume involves having the same color on each side, except one square. You can walk around disappointed the entire night.
If you are into looking scary for Halloween, dressing as a zombie is easy. Take some old clothes, cut them up and get them really dirty. Then mess up your hair and walk around all creepy-like. If you really want to go the distance, get some make-up to pale your skin, create dark circles under your eyes and use lipstick or fake blood and have it running out of your mouth.
I’m going to go ahead and put money on the fact that one of the most popular costume themes this Halloween will be Jersey Shore. Ladies, tease your hair for the perfect poof, wear a ton of make-up and a short dress with very high heels.
Gentlemen, wear a T-shirt, jeans, very white sneakers, sunglasses — don’t take them off, even inside — and as much gel as your hair can handle. Just talk about T-shirts, GTL (gym, tan, laundry) and fist pumps.
Since fashion always comes back around, dressing in styles from different decades is usually pretty easy. Put on hip-hugging bell-bottoms and a tie-dye T-shirt and you transform into an instant hippy. Part your hair in the middle, draw a flower on your face and get into a peaceful state of mind.
I’m sure your closet is full of 80s clothing — combine them for a perfect costume. Cut the collar off of a T-shirt or sweatshirt and wear it with leggings and leg warmers for the 80s workout girl look. A key element to this costume includes make-up and accessories — anything bright will do. Blue eye shadow, big earrings and if you have one, a fanny pack.
A 1980s Miss America is also fun. You will probably need to go to a thrift store—or raid your mother’s closet—for a tacky, bright, prom-type dress and white gloves if they have them. You just need to add a sash decorated with glitter saying, “Miss America” and a tiara to complete the look.
Don’t worry guys, the 80s are easy for you too. To really go the distance, go to a local thrift store and find some tight, acid-washed jeans, a white dress jacket and a bright T-shirt. You will look like you stepped out of a Miami Vice rerun. You can also roll up a pair of jeans to make them even tighter and tuck in a T-shirt with rolled-up sleeves. Add some Ray-Bans and you are ready for an 80s night out.
Dressing as Waldo is also fun and easy. Pair a white and red striped shirt with blue jeans and black glasses. If you have a red, knit hat that would be super, but people will get it without the hat. Be sure to jump in the back of everyone’s pictures so they can play “Where’s Waldo?” when looking through them.
A group of girls, in need of matching costumes, can easily become flight attendants. Pair a black mini-skirt with a black blazer or vest and some high heels. Add a small scarf around your neck and print out your favorite airline’s logo to wear as a name tag. For added effect, wheel around a small suitcase all night — just think of it as a big purse.
If you have anything bright and crazy in your wardrobe, you can definitely pull off dressing as a tourist. Pair a bright T-shirt with bright shorts—just make sure they don’t match—and knee-length, white socks and tennis shoes. Wear sunglasses and carry around a map and a camera. Again, if you have a fanny pack, it will add to the ensemble.
If you are going to a party and still can’t think of a good idea, simply dress and act like the host of the party. For example, if a friend wanted to dress like me, all they would have to do is wear big white sunglasses and walk around saying, “I know, right!” all night long. People would get it.
If you hate the idea of going as a ghost again this year, take that white sheet and throw it around your body to make a classic toga. To create a headpiece, cut and shape a coat hanger to fit your head and add some foliage.
A large, white button-up shirt is very useful when creating costumes. Throw some paint on it, pair it with some jeans and a knit hat to become a painter. Carry around a paint brush and a paper plate with different colored splotches. You will be good to go.
Guys, you can always be Tom Cruise from Risky Business by wearing a white button-up, white socks and Ray-Bans. Just be sure to slide in and sing “Old Time Rock and Roll” into a microphone.
You can create a costume with a sheet, a white shirt or a fanny pack. Just find an item of clothing in your closet and work around it to create a costume. Now you no longer have an excuse to avoid dressing up this year.
