Readers suggested a TON of amazing ideas for dirt cheap Halloween costumes. Some of my favorites are:
Lisa’s idea:
Ha, that reminds me of a party I went to where a guy walked in with a bunch of underwear pinned to the front of his sweatshirt and said he was a CHEST OF DRAWERS! I love the fact that people are turning back to ‘things’ and concepts rather than imitating a person or fictional character. Shows much more imagination and guessing what each person is supposed to be is part of the fun!
Sue’s idea – especially relevant in LA:
Make a sign saying “Happy Halloween” or better yet “Trick or Treat”, put handles on the back and go as a sign twirler. You could wear a rainbow clown wig like the guy on my corner, but you really don’t need any special clothes.
Lisa’s idea:
Get a large trash bag, cut holes in for legs and arms, then fill out around you with assorted bottles, cans, etc. and go as a Recyclable. Then you can cash in the costume for $$ – very bargain babish!
Georgie’s idea:
Put a pair of green tights and top on and blow up green balloons and go as a bunch of grapes, we did it for the whole family last year, cheap as chips.
Lynda’s idea:
I went to a party one year where a woman wore a long orange dress, and tied several piece of fern to her head…said she was a carrot!
Liz’s idea:
I dressed in black. Then I cut the cereal names from their boxes and pinned them to my body. My only other prop was a cleaver with fake blood on it. I was a ‘cereal’ killer.
My absolute favorite idea came from Elizabeth:
Two years ago, I wore a dead-on Jacqueline Onassis-style ‘do and oversize dark sunglasses, borrowed some pearls and, beneath a tailored suit jacket, wore a giant pumpkin face that I’d cut from one of those cheap plastic lawn bags. My Jackie O. Lantern was a hit everywhere it went that year and cost me a grand total of $8 for the drugstore sunglasses and pumpkin bag!
Well folks, I’ve chosen my Halloween costume. After settling on being a “Jackie O. Lantern” I realized I had NONE of the elements of the costume except for a pearl necklace my grandma gave me. No pill box hat, fancy black dress or 50s-style jacket, no pumps (I like strappy heels), and no orange make up to draw a pumpkin out on my face. Putting together the costume would have cost me at least $10-$20.
Instead, I dug deep into my closets to come up with a costume that suits me and won’t cost a penny! SEXY LIBRARIAN!
I already have the rimmed glasses, a fitted navy blue skirt that goes to the knee, a button down brown cardigan, fishnets and heels (the last two are the sexy part). I may also wear a pearl necklace and my sister is going to help me put my hair up. Now all I need is a stack of books and…young man, you have a late fee!
Related:
Halloween bargains at the 99 Cent Store
Reader ideas for frugal Halloween costumes
I had a friend that went as a bag of jelly beans. Clear garbage bag full of balloons 🙂
Looking forward to seeing a pic of the sexy librarian on Monday’s blog!
I remember a few years back when a bunch of friends got together. They wore old-fashioned 18th century sailing clothes and pinned various computer media all over themselves (CDs etc).
They were Software Pirates.
(Clothes provided by Thrift Stores, CDs by geeks.)
Great costume idea, Iggy! I’m going to save this for next year.
I make my outfits each year (except last year, I was ill) its original and more fun to make up an outfit and I try to stay within a budget. You can scour the bargain bins at WalMart;sewing stores/dept. stores for items to use) So with a hot glue gun, safety pins, and acrylic paints you can do a lot. Oh yeah, clear duct tape, so you don’t have to sew anything.
I think barbgainbabe.com might have to change its name to sexybargainbabe.com
I can’t wait to hear how the costume turns out!
-Meital 🙂
Thanks for this Blog !!
I remember a few years back when a bunch of friends got together. So with a hot glue gun, safety pins, and acrylic paints you can do a lot. I can’t wait to hear how the costume turns out!