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Halloween is just around the corner. This year, October 31st falls on a Saturday, so there are sure to be even more events to celebrate this spooky holiday. Dressing up is probably the most fun part of the Halloween for me (even though I love candy, I’ve bypassed the trick-or-treating age range by a decade).
Many stores sell costume packages online or in stores. I’ve also seen specialty costume shops that have popped up in previously-empty retail spaces for the Halloween season. Preassembled costumes cost $40-$100+, and while they are a convenient option, I just don’t want to spend that amount on cheap polyester. Also, commercial Halloween costumes (especially for women) seem to have evolved into a twisted Army slogan - you can be all that you want to be, just the Sexy / Naughty / Vixen version. (See Boston Herald’s article on this phenomenon). In the end, I’m just not adventurous enough to try many of the commercial offerings.
So I’ve decided to assemble a costume myself for the first time(my mother never bought me costumes, but at least she never tried to dress me up either). I don't want to spend a lot of money, and I want to buy things that can be worn again. Here are three lady Halloween costumes that are easy to do-it-yourself, and incorporate articles easily found in your closet or a local thrift store such as Goodwill or Salvation Army - saving you money and cultivating your creativity.
1. Black Widow: This is an easy and cheap costume to assemble – what lady doesn’t have a myriad of black dresses or skirts in her closet? For the costume, I would get a black skirt (preferably fuller), knee-length or ankle-length, paired with a fitted black top (bonus points if you have a corset top) and black tights. Then add a pair of black heels or high-heeled boots. At a thrift store, you can look for a floppy black hat. At a fabric or crafts store, buy a piece of black tulle and pin it to the hat with your own brooch or an inexpensive piece purchased at Forever 21. This will construct a veil. If you so desire, you can also seek out a pair of black lace gloves to complete your outfit. Add deep red lipstick and a handkerchief (for those crocodile tears), and you’ve become the picture of a classic (and frugal!) femme fatale.
2. Cowgirl / Farmer: Pair a denim skirt or jeans with a pair of boots. Cowboy boots are of course preferable, but if you don’t have those, you can make do with any normal pair of brown boots. Add a cowboy hat or wide-brimmed straw hat (the latter can be purchased more cheaply), and braid your hair into two braids. As for the shirt, a checkered pattern shirt would complement the costume, but a simple solid-color t-shirt would go nicely as well. To go above and beyond, get a length of rope (perhaps found in your garage? Or at a hardware store), wrap it in a circle and hang it on your hip as a lasso.
3. Ballerina: This costume really only needs 3-4 elements: a black leotard (or tank top), a full tulle skirt or a black slip skirt, a pair of white tights, and ballet slippers. The tights and ballet slippers can be purchased for under $20 total at a discount store or on sale at Gap, Old Navy, or Target. As for the skirt, those with more seamstress skills can buy yards of tulle cheaply and make their own skirt. For those without sewing ability (i.e. me), choose a slip skirt or hunt for a tulle skirt at thrift stores or Target. I found a perfect black tulle skirt at Target for only $8. Put your hair into a bun, tie a ribbon around it, and voila, your ballerina costume is complete!
For more ideas, you can check out this article on dollar store costumes and cheap costumes for kids. Happy Halloween!
