
Take no offense if you find yourself in this category. But every year when Halloween rolls around I see countless people wearing the same exact costume, at the same bars/events as other people, wearing the same exact store bought thing. This has in fact happened to me when one year I wore a Wonder Woman costume I was stoked to find (granted I did customize it a bit...)
Of course I would much rather see people dressed up, than in nothing at all (wet blankets) but this year I am making myself even more available for help in this situation. I have not one, but ten suggestions on how to save money and come up with a cool costume this year, without even stepping foot in a mall.
1. Brainstorm! It helps to have an idea, or a few idea's of what you may want to be/do before you start the hunt. That way you can organize your search to specific items and/or keep an eye out for a few essentials while you are out and about. You never know when or where you may score something perfect. It also helps to Google images of that thing/person to take note of what would make it easy to recognize or stand out. Take these pictures with you on your search! (And, if you already look like someone famous, just go with that... it always works)
2. Shop second hand! This time of year most thrift stores are packed with discarded costumes and weird remnants that you can use to create your own. This is also when they scour their stock for all those funky, retro items that maybe are a bit too dated for most people (to me, this is an ideal time to shop in general.) If you don't have an idea to begin with, you may get inspired just by going through some racks, and end up with something clever that only cost a few bucks. Here is a great resource to keep on hand, a pretty extensive list of second hand stores throughout San Diego County.


3. Re-use an old costume by re-purposing it into something new. My sister's friend did this one year when she bought this "wet t-shirt costume" (so, so gross in my opinion) but the next year she turned it into "Beth" from Dog the Bounty Hunter's t.v. show for my party. Thank God.


4. Make your own, using cheap materials and your brain. Cardboard is easy to come by, easy to mold and attach to things, and easy to paint. Here are some of my favorite cardboard creations...

5. Use what you already have! Some original idea's are probably already hiding out in your closet, in the clothes pushed towards the back and/or maybe on your partner's side. Try to look objectively at you have, like what it reminds you of or where you may have seen something like it on someone else, or in a different decade, in a movie or book, etc. Or, see if you can borrow something from a friend, as long as you make sure to return it in the same condition.




6. If you know how to sew and/or an artist, this is your time to shine. Spend a weekend, or a few hours a week putting together something you are proud of. You may have a ton of materials hanging around that aren't being used, so well, now is the time to use them. Get creative!


7. Pick a pair: C'mon be cutesy! Couple costumes are the best, and when you share the cost between two people, it's half the price and double points for creativity.


8. Safety in numbers: If you aren't having any luck on your own, find a few friends to go in on a group costume with. When there's more than one of something, it doesn't necessarily have to be perfect to work. Pick something easy, and stick together. See how the zombie's (at the top of the post) worked it out with some $5.00 bloody makeup and tattered clothing, made by just a little mirror time and fun with scissors.
9. Focus on the Makeup alone. People will always notice your face first, so if you devote most of your time and effort to decorating up top, you can get away with saving a lot of money on a detailed costume, and still create an awesome look.



10. The last thing that I have to add is that if you look this cute already, I have no problem with you wearing a generic costume!
Just, if you have to buy new, at least make it ironic or something funny... So, good luck, happy hunting and make me proud!
No comments:
Post a Comment