Don’t be a Halloweenie: DIY costume ideas for broke college students
Sadie Beaumont, Staff Writer
October 31 is just around the corner, so it’s time to break out the pumpkins and “ghosty” apparel. However, having a spook-tastic costume can be difficult when you’re away at college and don’t have the funds.
But never fear; there are still several ways to dress the best on Halloween.
First, you can incorporate your own wardrobe into your costume. Think of a movie or TV show character with articles of clothing you may already have in your closet. For example, dressing as the iconic Sydney Prescott from the “Scream” franchise simply requires a purple T-shirt and jean jacket. Costumes like these are easy fixes for the last-minute panic.
Another easy option is makeup. Special effects makeup can transform a seemingly normal outfit into an eerie sight. Stores like Walmart, Target and Spirit Halloween carry the perfect supplies to achieve this creepy kind of look. A bit of fake blood, liquid latex or some face paint can work wonders.
Makeup artist Kris Baranco has many tips and tricks on BuzzFeed. For example, she says that something as simple as a skull can be the perfect look.
“Every Halloween season I’m blown away by all the creative ways people are able to reinvent the classic skull,” she said.
Baranco also adds that you don’t necessarily have to be a professional for your special effects to look good. A little bit of fake blood goes a long way.
“The great part about SFX makeup is that it doesn’t have to be perfect. And any imperfections can easily be disguised with additional blood,” she said.
Lastly, you can unleash your creative side and make your own costume. It may seem like a lot of work, but it is a cheap alternative and the outcome is worth it.
Sophomore theatre major Chappie Livdahl enjoys crafting his very own costumes and props in his free time. He is currently working on creating full armor and weapons out of cardboard.
“This project has been in the works for almost two years,” he said. “I made the armor using templates I found online, and I incorporated my own design elements (mostly color scheme and aesthetics) into the overall costume, including a knife design from “Lord of the Rings” and a blaster design from some concept art a friend designed!”
Not only that, but he fashioned an entire “Darksaber” from “The Mandalorian” TV series.
“The Darksaber was really fun to make. I glued some LED lights onto the blade and made a switch to turn them on and off so I could best simulate the blade effect from the actual show,” Livdahl said.
By constructing a costume by hand like Livdahl, you not only save money but you also have an extremely impressive story to tell.
Whether you’re rummaging your closet, painting your face or creating your own costume, you’ll now have a boo-tiful get-up for Halloween night.
