This article was co-authored by Alina Bokovikova. Alina Bokovikova is a Costume Designer from California. With over 15 years of experience, she specializes in designing costumes for stage productions. Alina earned an MFA in Costume Design from the University of California, San Diego and her Master of Education from the Novosibirsk Pedagogical University. She’s won two Outstanding Costume Design awards and her costumes have been displayed in Moscow, Prague, and San Jose, California.
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With Halloween coming up, if you haven't already chosen a costume, it's possible you're stuck for ideas. Never fear, there are plenty of ways to come up with creative, original ideas for a costume and still keep within a budget. Rest assured that this article will help you to pick the perfect Halloween costume for you.
Steps
Deciding on your Look
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1Find your own style. Are you sexy? Scary? Funny? Cute? Perky? Angry? Halloween is the time of year where you can be yourself! So in that case, a Halloween costume is a great excuse to project a side of yourself you don't usually get a chance to share if you'd like to "hide" behind something really fun, wacky or scary. Or, the costume could emphasize a side of you that everyone already knows and loves well, such as being zany, cheeky or bright.
- In finding your own style, think about what you wear on a daily basis and what's comfortable for you. This alone may help you to think of a costume right away. For example, do you usually wear cute skirts? A dress? Jeans? Can these be paired with something a little more exciting to form a costume, such as sticking a cloak over the top of jeans or a witch's hat on top of a dress?
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2Think of the colors you normally wear. If you generally wear dark, edgy colors, you probably wouldn't want to be a fairy, although a dark fairy could be a good option. If you like bright colors, think of pumpkins, elves, fairies, ghosts, rainbows and similar costumes. If you like darker colors like black and red, think goth, vampires, skeletons, dark wizards, evil geniuses, etc. However, don't be afraid to mix and match, as it's Halloween and anything goes.Advertisement
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3Think back to the styles of costumes you wore in previous years. Are they still something you'd like to build off, perhaps turning an existing old costume into a different costume? You don't have to be something that is exactly like you, but it would make more sense to dress up as someone or something that reflects your personality.
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4Think of your interests. What do you like to do? Make a list of the things you enjoy, be it sport, cosplay, cooking, playing games, dressing up, reading, etc. For example, if you like soccer, dress like a famous soccer player; if you're into a certain TV show, dress up as one of the characters you like most; if you like animals or food, dress up as your favorite pet or dessert. Match the list of options to the items you have available and be creative.
Setting your Budget
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1Decide on a budget. Halloween costumes can range from cheap to very expensive, so it's important to have an idea on what you'd like to spend. When choosing, always check to see what's included in the costume, as some costumes will be better deals than others when add-ons are accounted for.
- A costume containing, for example, a shirt, pants, hat, wig, and belt is a good deal if you get the lot for a single price. On the other hand, a single dress or costume item could cost the same amount as that deal, so you would need to balance up whether or not it's worth it to you and fits within your budget.
- Generally, it's recommended that you be willing to spend around $20-$40 on your costume, as most decent costumes are within that price range.
- If you need a quick costume on a budget, you can easily turn a white bedsheet into a ghost by cutting some eye holes.
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2Look for sales. Stores have sales all the time for Halloween costumes, especially if it's very close to Halloween. Be sure to check the TV, internet, and newspaper ads for upcoming sales on Halloween costumes. By checking the sales, you could get a great costume for a small price. If there are no sales, try using coupons and gift cards, if you have any.
Planning Ahead
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1Keep time in mind. Are you planning on making your Halloween costume? Make sure that you have enough time. You'll need an idea, first of all, so start thinking about a month before and try to allow yourself at least two weeks ahead to make and adjust the costume if you're making your own. Although it seems early, thinking ahead gives you the space to make something that fits well and gives you the chance to run down and buy more fabric or items if needed.
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2Avoid last-minute decisions. Try not to buy costumes at the last minute as this will often mean the best costumes are already taken and out of what is left, they may not be in your size or to your liking. However, if you do manage leave the costume until late, read How to make a last-minute Halloween costume to remedy things fast.
Community Q&A
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QuestionShould I be Alice from Wonderland or Dorothy from Wizard of Oz?Community AnswerThey are both good ideas. Alice seems less common, but you should choose your favorite. You could also go by hair color so you don't have to wear a wig - be Alice if you're blond, be Dorothy if you have dark hair.
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QuestionCan I be a character twice if I want to?Community AnswerOf course! You can be the same character as many times as you'd like. You'll even save money on costumes.
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QuestionShould I be a fox or raccoon?PotatoestoseeCommunity AnswerIf you're elegant, fancy, feminine, or sneaky, choose the fox. They are graceful and tricky. If you're rugged, boyish, thievish, or messy, choose the raccoon. They are rough and tough with a risky lifestyle. If you don't fit into either of the categories, follow your animal instincts!
Warnings
- Avoid costumes that may be offensive or offend other peoples' race and/or ethnicity.⧼thumbs_response⧽
Things You'll Need
- Costume items