Costumes on a College Budget

Time to find a costume is quickly running out. While Oct. 31 is a holiday dedicated to dressing up, themed parties seem to be popular within college communities all year round. Though they are fun, such events can be a tad demanding on wallets.

College students are not exactly the richest demographic, so why add financial stress when it comes to our social life? Pre-packaged costumes can be expensive and only serve one purpose.

So what is the solution to the costume dilemma: Do-It-Yourself (DIY). DIY costumes are much cheaper and the components can be put to other uses afterwards. An assortment of costume ideas are provided below that can all be assembled from items in your own closet.

Nerd: This coed costume simply requires a button-up shirt tucked into whatever bottoms are lying around. Next, go into your desk drawer and pull out a calculator, pens and a pair of glasses (or pop the frames out of sunglasses). Boys, part your hair down the middle and slick it down with gel. Girls, part your hair down the middle, tease it to get the frizzy look and throw it up into pigtails.

Toga: Togas are wonderful costumes because they only involve one thing: a bed sheet. Tear the sheet off your bed, wrap it around yourself and tie it at the top. Pair this with flip-flops, or for girls, a cute sandal, and you have yourself another inexpensive yet festive costume. To spice it up throw a braided elastic headband around your head or a gold bracelet on your arm.

Trashy: Costumes can be found everywhere, even in your supply closet. Grab a trash bag, cut holes for your arms and head and you are set. If you want something a little “classier,” grab an old flannel, leave it unbuttoned over a dingy wife-beater and finish the look with a pair of faded, ripped jeans.

Athlete: Pull out those professional jerseys, gym shoes or even old uniforms. If you do not own any of the previously listed then browse through a neighbor or friends closet. Create eye-black with eye shadow or black tape to get the “badass” look.

Hippie: Grab those old faded, ripped jeans, flip-flops and a tie-dyed tee to complete the modern day hippie interpretation. If you cannot get your hands on a tie-dyed t-shirt you can also use a solid one and draw a peace symbol on it with a black marker. To finish it off, part your hair down the middle and add a bandana or a headband.

Tourist: For all those travelers out there, this is the costume for you. Start with shorts, and then add a shirt from your favorite vacation and your comfiest walking shoes (Crocs are always nice). To complete tourist attire add sunglasses, a hat/visor, a camera around the neck, and a fanny pack or small backpack.

A Pair: We live in a world of famous duos (ketchup and mustard, salt and pepper, Mary-Kate and Ashley etc.) so why not make a costume out of them! For ketchup and mustard you merely need a red top for one person and yellow for the other. The same goes for salt and pepper except for this costume the colors will be black and white. To be a twin, all you need is a partner and matching outfits, it is as simple as that.

There you have it, seven trouble-free costumes sure to leave you satisfied and your bank account untouched. Themed parties should be fun not financially stressful, so just remember, the next time you need a costume, look no further than your own closet.