By Marissa Mooney |Asst. A&E Editor|
Halloween is just around the corner and now that midterms are over, students are in search for the perfect costume.
On a college student budget, costumes can be expensive for something being worn only once a year.
Generic costumes can run as much as $30 to $90 at stores like Target and seasonal Halloween shops.
“It can be expensive to buy a costume from a Halloween store. I prefer exploring thrift stores or making my own costume. It’s cheaper and more original. I think some good costume ideas are superheroes, movie/cartoon characters, and it’s always nice to think outside the box,” said student Christine Hebert.
The quality of costumes and creativity has diminished over the years. Between classes and work, many students don’t have time to make one or go shopping for ideas. The easiest and most expensive way is to go to a store and buy a costume already made.
Disadvantages of going to a Halloween store and buying a costume means taking the chance of whether it fits properly or if it has all the accessories needed.
Costumes in prepackaged bags usually contain just the dress, suit, or costume and none of the accessories needed to make the costume unique.
“Even if I had the money I wouldn’t go out to buy a costume because the fabric is cheap and I rather create my own. You can create a zombie or a character from Alice in Wonderland by elaborating on the basic idea of it,” said student Max Rodriguez.
Some of the most complex costumes are the simplest to make. Zombies require just old clothes turned into raggedy and torn up zombie apocalypse attire straight from “The Walking Dead.” All stage makeup and fake blood is cheap to buy at Wal-Mart or Target.
Some of the best costumes seen at Halloween parties are the ones made from scratch.
It would be embarrassing to show up to a party with five other people wearing the same thing. Unique and interesting costumes are great conversation starters at parties.
Digging through a closet you can encounter treasures that can add to or make a costume. Shops like Fun Corner off of Baseline in San Bernardino offer many accessories to add to any costume. Craft stores like Joann’s Fabrics or Michael’s has patterns and material to use along with cheap Halloween makeup.
San Bernardino based vintage clothing line, MOvintage, released a zombie line of clothing and other pre-made costumes for cheap to buy at a college student price.
“I like to be creative about it, it is more fun. It is better not to be like anyone else and come up with your own ideas. You don’t see anyone else in the same costume as you,” said student Bianka Ceballos.
Making costumes can be entertaining and fun for everyone. Halloween costume inspiration can be found on DIY websites like pinterest.com and movintage909.com.
Halloween can be a fun and safe time for all college students, especially with the right costume to join the festivities.