How to Halloween on a Budget

Graphic by Quynh-Nhi Tran. Images via Orlando Weekly, Inspired Beauty, The Metamorphosis.

The leaves are changing and pumpkin patch Instagram photos are plentiful, so autumn is in full swing at Northwestern. Students on campus take spooky season incredibly seriously, especially as Halloween approaches. In fact, students tend to treat Halloween as more of a Halloweek, and celebrate both before and after the actual holiday on October 31. 

While it can certainly be fun to dress up with your friends, it can also be expensive to put together several different costumes that are both creative and stylish. 

Weinberg sophomore Halle Petrie is wearing at least two costumes this year, and she said she was not anticipating how expensive they would be. 

“If someone wants to really put time into their costume, it can really cost a lot,” Petrie said. “At the same time, I think there are also other options that act as less of a cost barrier.” 

The financial implications of Halloween are certainly intimidating, but, as Petrie noted, you don’t need to go bankrupt in order to look your best this spooky season. 

If you’re looking to put together your looks from the comfort of your own home, websites like SHEIN and ROMWE are stocked full of skirts, tops, and accessories that you can snag for $10 or less. They even have sections of their website that are exclusively dedicated to Halloween, so you don’t have to waste time scrolling through hundreds of random items to find your perfect look. 

Cheetah Costume via Shein

Skeleton Costume via Romwe

However, if you’re looking to avoid the cost of shipping, thrift stores are excellent places to put together trendy costumes. Look for vintage pieces from the ‘70s, ‘80s, ‘90s, or even the ‘00s to put together a timeless retro-themed look. Crossroads Trading Co., Crowded Closet Inc, and Classy Closet Consignment are some thrift stores located right here in Evanston, though there are dozens more in Skokie, Winnetka, and Chicago.

Weinberg sophomore Alex Farmer said one of the ways she tries to mitigate the expenses of Halloween is by making some of her costume pieces herself. 

“I think that you really have to be creative, and in my opinion, I think creative costumes are funnier,” Farmer said. “You almost have to put a little DIY into your costume.” 

In Evanston, BLICK Art Materials carries a wide range of supplies that can be used to create DIY Halloween costumes. Sometimes fabric paint, glitter, or markers are all it takes to make an old t-shirt feel brand new again.

Spider Costume via SheKnows

In essence, Halloween can be an expensive time of year for college students, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be. Look for websites with cheaper options, take a trip to a thrift shop, or even make some pieces yourself, and you’ll be sure to dress to impress without draining your bank account.