By Whitney Childers
Fall is here and the clock is ticking down to Halloween. Don’t panic. There is still time to make an awesome costume this year. Halloween brings so many choices: spooky or cute, funny or outlandish, or maybe a little bit of everything. There are always the classic costumes, but also ones from pop culture, movies, T.V. shows and games are all favorite go-to ideas.
There is no need to drop some Benjamins at the local costume store. Being in college is expensive enough. Sure some accessories like wigs, prosthetics and blood may require a trip to the store, but if you really want to stand out and have a spot-on costume, DIY is the way to go. If you haven’t made a costume before, don’t sweat it. Grab some of your crazy friends and follow these tips.
Put some thought into it.
Pick a character/creature/person that you are really excited about. Once you’ve got your idea, think about materials. You might have the basics for your costume already, so it’s always important to outline what you really do and don’t need.
Create a budget.
You want to spend less making your costume than you would have if you had bought it at the costume shop. Be sure to allow for the price of custom items as needed, such as wigs, prosthetics, or fake blood.
Gather the pieces.
First off, check your closet. Dig into that pile of clothes in the back corner that hasn’t been touched in six years. You just might find a hidden gem. Once you’ve gleaned what you can from your own or your siblings and friends closets, hit up the local thrift shop. This is a great place to find tons of vintage clothes for men and women in all sizes. Do you want to dress as an old-school vampire, dead prom queen or apocalypse survivor? One of the biggest benefits is that unlike the costumes in the Halloween shop, these are made to be lived in. For you, that means that not only will they make more sturdy costumes, but they will also look more authentic.
Put it all together.
Once you’ve got the basics of your costume, you can make it truly fit your character by dying, ripping, bleaching, and distressing the fabric. Zombies, post-apocalyptic survivors, and serial killers will love these techniques! On the prettier side of things, try adding lace, embroidery, rhinestones, fringe or feathers for fairies, prom queens, vampires, flapper girls, or anything else that requires some flair. Secondhand doesn’t have to mean gross, dirty or ugly. Part of this process is overcoming the challenge of breathing new life into something you’ve found. When cutting, burning or bleaching, make sure you work in a well-ventilated area, preferably with friends who can help.
Parting tips.
Don’t be too picky when selecting the basic garment(s) whether it’s from someone’s closet or the thrift store. Don’t expect to find something that has exactly the right details for your costume. You want to find a basic shirt/dress/overalls or pants that has the shape and color that you need. From there, work your magic to make it into the character you want.
Also, Don’t Underestimate Yourself. You are an awesome, creative person and the internet is full of resources. If there is anything you can’t find in a closet or thrift store, don’t be afraid to make it yourself. For example, YouTube and craft blogs, found through Google searches, have plenty of tutorials for making different costume accessories for under $5.
If you choose to make your own costume this Halloween,give yourself a pat on the back for going above and beyond and being eco-friendly while saving money. When you are all finished, the only thing left to do is to show off your great costume at whatever ghoulish activity you attend. Just remember to party safe and have a spooky Hallows Eve.
