How to Save Money on Halloween Costumes: 5 Inexpensive DIY Costume Ideas
Wanna save some money this Halloween? Sure, you could try to pick up an ultra-spooky costume, but the scariest thing might just be the bill. This haunting holiday — beloved though it is — has gotten pricey, but it doesn’t have to be! In fact, you can easily recreate your or your kids’ favorite store-bought looks with a little bit of creativity and some items that you probably already have at home.
From the tried-and-true sheet ghost ensemble to getting festive in a pair of affordable Halloween socks, here are five inexpensive DIY costume ideas to help you save money while still keeping things spooktastic and fun this Halloween!
Order Your Halloween Socks Today in Time for the Festivities!1. Work with what you’ve got.
You might not have to make a trip to the store (or even the online store!) to create a collection of costumes that sparks a conversation this Halloween. Many of us have items in our closet that can be easily transformed into costumes.
- Put on ripped jeans and a cozy flannel to morph into basically anyone from your favorite ’90s shows or bands. Here at Goodly, we’ve got some Pearl Jam mega-fans who may or may not have relied on this option to turn themselves into Eddie Vedder once or twice!
- Do you have a red bandana and a chambray or denim shirt? You’re now Rosie the Riveter.
- An all pink outfit and a toy dog from the nursery makes a funny (and super accurate) Elle Woods costume.
2. Become a floaty ghostie with an old sheet and a pair of scissors.
This simple ghost costume is as much a classic as candy corn. If you have an old white sheet that’s a bit past the point of no return, transform yourself into a floaty spirit by cutting two small eye holes in the center and zig-zags onto the bottom.
Cheap, Fun Socks Will Make Your Costume Affordable & InexpensiveYou can smudge black eyeshadow around your eyes for a little bit of extra spookiness, and wear black pants and sneakers underneath to blend your mortal features into the ground. This is also a really great option for little ones, so long as the sheet is cut short enough!
3. Pull a monochromatic look from your closet so you only have to get accessories.
If you’d prefer to have a fresh outfit for Halloween this year, but don’t want to break the bank, center your look around a few key accessories so that you don’t need to purchase all of the pieces in those far-too-expensive costume sets from the party store.
- A black bodysuit and tights makes the perfect backdrop for cat ears and a tail, a witch’s hat and broom, or a masquerade mask.
- Jazz up a white or purple jumpsuit with a unicorn horn and a few colorful clip-in hair extensions, or a pair of twinkly butterfly wings.
- Draw attention to your happy feet when you pair a black top and bottom with cheap fun socks inspired by the holiday! We’ve got some awesome patterns available this year that take a lot of the work (and the scary cost!) out of it, including some styles that glow in the dark!
4. Get matchy matchy with someone you love.
Halloween sometimes brings out our sentimental side, and there are so many ways you can DIY yourself a matching outfit with a best friend, your hubby or the kiddos.
- Couples costumes don’t have to cost a fortune and can simply repurpose what you have. Two black suits and some shades and you’re the Men in Black. A few balloons and a bathrobe and you’re a bubble bath. We’ve seen some impressive Wayne and Garth costumes, Mario and Luigi pairs and more. Let your creativity be your guide!
- It probably comes as no surprise to you that we’re big fans of using matching socks for couples as Halloween costume inspiration. Whether you pick a pair with your favorite food on ‘em, a style that shows off your favorite hobby, or something holiday-specific, sometimes that’s all you really need to get into the Halloween spirit.
5. Play pretend by using the magic of makeup you already have at home.
If you or someone else in your house regularly wears makeup, you can usually use what you already have to turn yourself into someone — or something — else. Sparkly rainbow eyeshadow and a few rhinestones can make you a martian or a unicorn, while a few swipes of black eyeliner can turn you into a kitty cat, a scarecrow or a skeleton.
For grown-ups looking to create a look that’s a little scary, bright red lipstick can easily look like “blood” when used to draw some scary scrapes, spatters or drips on your face. By making your face the focus, you don’t need to worry about investing too much in the outfit.
be your(spooktacular)self
In a study on age and gender differences in kids' Halloween costumes, it turns out that older kids tend to pick less stereotypically masculine and feminine costumes to wear out trick-or-treating.
While we believe that anyone can be whoever they want to be, whether that’s during our everyday lives or on special occasions like Halloween, we hope you’ll keep this little stat in mind as you’re helping the kiddos put together their costumes or dressing up yourself!
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