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:

Cheap Halloween make up

Halloween bargains at the 99 Cent Store

Reader ideas for frugal Halloween costumes