So Halloween is right around the corner and lets face it we are all pretty much broke! If you did spend any money on costumes chances are it was only for the kiddos and not yourself. Well I am here to help out and give you a few ideas that cost little to no money but look good and clever as well. So lets stop gabbing and start the ideas flowing shall we.
Toga party- This one can go a few ways but it all starts with a bed sheet. I am actually using a variation of this one for Halloween this year since my husband somehow managed to slash a huge slit in our bottom sheet. You can use a sheet that has been ruined in your own home or turn to your local thrift store to obtain the basis of this costume. Now you have to decide if you want to go classic Grecian or take it the frat party route. I have decided to go with Medusa myself so I only needed to raid the dollar store toy isle for some rubber snakes to complete my look. For the classic costume all you really need to add is some greenery from any stash of silk/plastic flowers you might have on hand or hit up the trusty old dollar store. You can also dig threw your Christmas decorations for gold cording to add to the "toga" for a more regal look, and your done. For those who want the frat look go for a sheet that is not white and the more kitschy the better, kids sheets would be perfect but a loud pattern will work well too. Now add a red plastic cup filled with beer and your set.
Cereal killer- This one is a clever play on words. You can pretty much wear any clothes you like but stick with something basic like a plain T-shirt or flannel and jeans. Now you need a few empty cereal boxes (the mini variety pack ones will work best but the regular size ones can work well too) add some fake blood to them and adhere them to your clothes. To do this there are several methods, you can actually sew them on with a few stitches done by hand, you can use scrap booking tape, rubber cement, or just glue them on. Make sure the method you use works with the fact that you may or may not want to wear the clothes again (the sewing method will be best if you don't want to ruin your outfit). Last thing you will need is a fake knife, if it does not come with some fake blood already on it add some and then poke it right threw another cereal box. Voila you are now a cereal killer!
Famous people- This one is a good easy one. Simply raid your closet and/or your local thrift store and put together something similar to what any one celebrity has or would wear. Flip threw a cheap tabloid or do a few searches on the net for some ideas. Choose a celebrity with a hair color and length similar to your own or opt for a wig. Remember any famous person past or present is up for grabs here. Found a cool red leather jacket in the thrift, store add a white Tee and jeans some hair gel and your James Dean. A few simple alterations to a cheesy 80's wedding gown, add some bangles, tie a white lace band around your head and a black eyeliner mole your Madonna ala her "Like a Virgin" days. You can pretty much throw on anything crazy and a big hat (add a blond wig if you don't already have light locks) perhaps some funky sunglasses and your Lady Gaga.Use your imagination for this one and don't go to literal and try to copy an outfit exactly, your just satirizing the celebrity.
Zombie- BRAINS.....err um, Ya this one is a real classic and very easy to accomplish. Any and I mean ANY outfit will work for this, the possibilities are literally endless. Take the outfit do some shredding, ripping, tearing, burning, staining, dirtying and generally destroying of the clothes. Again add some trusty fake blood, a basic cheap Halloween makeup kit, and if you can a fake brain then you have it. You can get pretty fancy with this and invest in some of the higher end makeup kits that come with fake scars and wound prostheses, but that kind of defeats the cheap aspect.
Stood up date- This is mainly one for women but with a few alterations could work for a man too. This one is done almost entirely with things you already have on hand and doesn't ruin any clothing. Don your hottest date night or clubbing outfit, now instead of slipping on some hot heels put on your rattiest pair of slippers or house shoes. Put your hair in a sexy style then mess it up a little, do your makeup with plenty of mascara (don't use the waterproof variety) and eyeliner, now put some eyedrops in (or add some water from a spray bottle) and let the tears flow taking your makeup with it Tammy Faye Baker style. The streaks of make up really make the outfit. You can also carry around a flask or empty liquor bottle to add to the effect. You now look like a sad pathetic stood up date!
Gift box- This is an all ages any gender costume. All you need is a large box, wrapping paper, a pair of suspenders and a big bow (you can raid your Christmas stash for this). Take the top completely off the box, cut a hole in the bottom big enough to fit your legs and/or lower torso threw. Now wrap all 4 sides in the wrapping paper and either add the bow to the front or tie it to the top of your head. The suspenders should clip onto the box if not a few slits in the cardboard and some patients will work. Now put on an outfit that is all one color step into the box and slip the suspenders over your shoulders and your ready to go. A good idea to add would be a large piece of card stock or construction paper cut into a tag shape with To, From written in marker could be a clever touch for this costume.
Drag- This one is mainly for the men, but it could be a great couple's costume if you dress like each other. I can not tell you how many costume contests I have seen won by a guy in drag, its a Halloween staple. There are two ways you can go about it though. One is to just be ridiculous with it, don't shave ANYTHING and don the worst wig you can find. You could also opt for the so well done its scary method, shave your face, legs, and pits, manicure your nails or wear fake ones, get a perfectly beautiful wig or if you have long hair style it in a feminine way. Either way you go about it its best to enlist a female friend, lover or family member to help in the transformation. Oh and don't forget to accessorize!
Brides maid- Unless you have been in many a wedding you will need to hit up the thrift store for this one. Again this is one for the ladies but a guy could use this idea in conjunction with the above drag idea. So you need to find the frilliest, loudest, ugliest formal dress you can. Tease your hair sky high with enough hairspray to withstand a hurricane maby add a big bow, and don't forget the powder blue eyeshadow (or baby pink, whatever looks atrocious but matches the dress). Throw together some random fake flowers wrapped with ribbon and the look is complete. If you can find them a pair of wrist length lace gloves would be a nice touch.
So there you have it some cheap costume ideas for cheap people. Now I am going to include some links to fake blood recipes and other good home made make up to help with the ideas I have given.
Budget101.com
This one has some great fake blood recipes and DIY special effects makeup tips. I would include more links but this one pretty much covers it all!
