The season of Pumpkin Spice lattes, somewhat cooler Florida temperatures and every college student’s favorite holiday, Halloween, is approaching. While Halloween is filled with many scary things, searching for a budget-conscious costume seems to be the scariest part of the holiday.
For college students, Halloween celebrations can last several nights and it’s all about the costumes. If you’ve started to costume shop in-store or online, you’ll notice all the different ensembles can seriously have you questioning whether you should purchase a costume that could cost you about a month’s worth of groceries.
This year, skip out on spending so much on a costume you’ll probably only wear for a night and instead try to Do-It-Yourself (DIY). With these ideas, you’ll be the most creative on a student-friendly budget.
Individual costumes
Harley Quinn
I am going to call it: this costume will probably be one of the most popular this year due to the popularity of the film “Suicide Squad.” Instead of paying over $50 for the costume, follow these easy instructions and you’ll be looking as sinister as Harley for much less.
Here’s what you’ll need:
A kid’s baseball tee with red sleeves
Iron-on transfer paper
Iron
Scissors
Net pantyhose
Red/blue shorts, which can be purchased on eBay
Black boots
Baseball bat
Instructions
For the shirt:
Download the font Jezebel.
Type “Daddy’s Lil Monster” in Word or Photoshop, then print on an 8×11 sheet of paper. Make sure the paper orientation is set to “landscape” so the wording will go across your chest.
Lay your baseball tee on a flat surface.
Cut out the wording and place it on the shirt.
Place printed paper over the iron-on transfer paper to protect the shirt.
Iron over the printed paper. Once you see it is completely transferred, carefully peel off the iron-on paper.
The finishing touch is to cut holes in the shirt. After cutting holes, make sure to stretch the fabric to give the shirt a worn look.
For the makeup:
Apply pale foundation to your skin to match Harley’s skin color.
Apply blue eyeshadow to your left eyelid. Be sure to smear the color down your eye. The key here is to make it messy.
Apply red eyeshadow to your right eyelid. Repeat the same process on this eye.
Once your eye shadow is set, apply black liquid eyeliner as close as possible to your lash line.
Find your truest red lipstick and apply it to your lips.
Use your black eyeliner crayon to draw a red heart under the eye you applied the red eye shadow.
Risky Business
Tom Cruise wore it first in “Risky Business,” but this costume is still a classic. This costume is most likely the easiest and quickest to throw together for you last-minute costume-shoppers. Before going out and buying these items, make sure to check any man’s closets as these items should be staple pieces in their wardrobes.
Here’s what you’ll need:
Oversized white button-down shirt
Long white socks
Couples costumes:
Forrest Gump and Jenny
I didn’t forget about you lovebirds planning to spend this Halloween together. Try recreating this couple from the film “Forrest Gump.”
Here’s what you’ll need:
Forrest Gump
Blue plaid shirt
Khaki pants
White running sneakers
Red hat
Black belt
Box of chocolates
Jenny
Flower crown
White, long, flowy dress – think hippie
Brown belt
Twinning Emoji
You know those symbols, the ones we incorporate in possibly every caption and text message. Why not bring them to life this Halloween? Make sure to grab a friend for this one.
Here’s what you’ll need:
Black leotard
Nude pantyhose
Black bow headband
Group costumes
Minions
I mean doesn’t everyone love a minion? The best part about this costume is that some of the items you can most likely find in your closet. Team up with two of your friends and you can go as Bob, Kevin and Stuart.
Here’s what you’ll need:
Denim overalls
Yellow plain t-shirt
Black boots
Black gloves
Minion beanie
Seasons
If you and your crew are looking for something to dress up as this Halloween but haven’t found a creative costume that’ll work for four people, DIY and go as the seasons.
Here’s what you’ll need:
Summer
Summer shorts
Bathing suit top
Flip-flops
Lei
Sunglasses
Inner tube float
Winter
White sweater
White leggings
White skirt
Earmuffs
Optional: White tutu
Fall
Fall sweater
Leggings
Boots or booties
Fall leaves to incorporate as accessories
Spring
Colorful sundress
Flower crown
Sandals
Fake flowers to incorporate as accessories
Shopping for a Halloween costume doesn’t have to be scary this year. With a little inspiration, creative costumes can be fun and attainable, even on a college budget.
