• Fashion Tips
  • College Life
  • Inspiration
  • News
  • Shopping
  • Beauty
  • Trends
  • Dorm
College Fashion
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Write for us

5 Easy & Inexpensive Halloween Costume Ideas

October 13, 2013 by Callan - Whitman College
This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you purchase through our links. Please read our full disclosure here.
Pumpkins

Photo Credit

Halloween is fun time of year for lots of reasons, but it’s dressing up that really makes the holiday special. Unfortunately, you can easily fall into the trap of wasting too much money and time on a costume that you’ll only wear once…and that can be hard on a college girl’s budget.

So, before we get to the costume ideas, here are a couple of things to keep in mind to stay on budget for Halloween:

  • If you’re tight on cash, try to use items you already have in your closet, borrow from a friend, or stick to thrift stores. You don’t have to buy everything new!
  • If you do find yourself splurging on some new items, try to buy things that you like and will wear again. While you may never wear that full-body catsuit ever again, individual pieces like black leggings and a black long-sleeved tee can be added to your everyday wardrobe, thus making them a better value in the long run.

Still haven’t picked out your Halloween costume this year? Here are five easy costumes that you can put together on a budget:

1. Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffany’s

Breakfast at tiffanys screenshot

Video Screenshot

Breakfast at Tiffany’s is a classic, especially for us fashionistas, so why not use it as Halloween inspiration? All you need is a fitted little black dress (the one below has the perfect beaded neckline, which mimics Holly’s pearl necklace in the movie), some black evening gloves, black pumps, sparkly jewelry, and classic shades. Oh, and don’t forget your coffee!

Breakfast at tiffanys costume

Product Info: Dress – Go Jane, Sunglasses – Forever 21, Earrings – Dorothy Perkins, Gloves – Windsor, Hair Brooch – ASOS, Shoes – 6pm, Coffee Thermos – Amazon

2. Witch

Witch drawing

Photo Credit

You can’t go wrong with a witch costume at Halloween. However, those store-bought, packaged costumes can get very predictable (and expensive), so spice things up by putting together your own chic witch ensemble! I suggest a black lace maxi skirt, black corset top, and a drapey black shawl or jacket. Choose some fun lace-up black heels and accessorize with a witch’s hat and creepy spider ring.

Witch costume

Product Info: Corset – Tilly’s, Skirt – Windsor, Jacket – Target, Shoes – Charlotte Russe, Ring – Styles for Less, Hat – Amazon

3. Joel Goodson from Risky Business

Risky business screenshot

Video Screenshot

No doubt you’ve seen the iconic underwear dance scene from Risky Business (if not, you can watch it at the photo link above).Since Joel’s outfit is pretty minimal, it makes the perfect costume for a college student on a budget.

All it takes is a men’s dress shirt (bonus points if you borrow one from a guy’s closet), a pair of cozy white socks, and — if you want a bit more modesty — a pair of men’s boxers. (You could also go for white booty shorts underneath.) Grab a pair of classic wayfarer sunglasses like the ones from the movie, and don’t forget a makeshift microphone. (Joel uses a candlestick.)

Risky business costume

Product Info: Shirt – Target, Socks – Old Navy, Boxers – Gap, Sunglasses – Forever 21, Candlestick – IKEA

4. Pumpkin

Pumpkins

Photo Credit

Celebrate the best of fall with this cute, comfy, and monochrome costume. Pair an orange sweater with orange jeans and cute pumpkin earrings. Any pair of orange shoes will work — sneakers are a practical and casual choice, but you could do heels or flats instead. Lastly, complete the look with a pumpkin beanie and a coat of orange nail polish.

Pumpkin costume

Product Info: Sweater – Target, Jeans – Amazon, Shoes – Target, Beanie – ASOS, Earrings – Etsy, Nail Polish – Essie in “Meet Me at Sunset”

5. Black Swan Ballerina

Black swan screenshot

Video Screenshot

For a darker costume, try something from the movie Black Swan. For an authentic look, find a black ballerina’s tutu and black ballet shoes online (if you can find a cheap costume version, that also works). Pair them with feather-printed tights and a feather headband to reference your swan persona, and swipe your nails with a glittery black polish for a bit of dark glam.

If you want, you can attempt the elaborate makeup look from the movie or just pick up some dark red lipstick and a pretty black mask to mimic the effect.

Black swan costume

Product Info: Tutu – Amazon, Tights – Kohl’s, Shoes – Payless, Headband – Target, Mask – H&M, Lipstick – Wet n Wild Silk Finish in “Mink Brown,” Nail Polish – Forever 21 in “Black Sand”

Thoughts?

Which costume would you wear? Do you have an idea for a cheap and easy costume? Do you have a Halloween costume budget? Let us know in the comments!

Tags : Breakfast at Tiffany's, Budget Fashion, Halloween, halloween costume ideas, Holidays

Leave a Comment
Previous Fabulous Find of the Week: H&M Leather Look Leggings
Next Plus Size Fashion: How to Find the Perfect Bra

Related Posts

Gym

Plus Size Fashion: Stylish Workout Gear

Fabulous Find of the Week: H&M Knee-High Boots

The 10 Items I Always Keep in My Gym Bag

Primary Sidebar

  • facebook
  • twitter
  • instagram
  • pinterest
  • bloglovin

SEARCH CF

Get the latest CF updates! (Delivered weekly, no spam ever, unsubscribe anytime.)

The 5 Hottest Holiday Fashion Trends 2019 (& 20 Extra Cute Pieces to Wear to Holiday Parties)

Here’s what your holiday wardrobe is missing…

These Cute Winter Boots for College Are Guaranteed to Keep You Warm (and Win You Fashion Points)

Survive winter weather in style with our roundup of cute snow boots and cute winter boots for college.

Vintage Posts

Copyright © 2007-2019 College Fashion LLC | Contact • Privacy Policy • Terms of Service • Disclosure • Write for Us