Eff. Halloween falls on a Thursday this year, which means all the costume parties are going to be the weekend prior-to (read: in three days). Seriously people, this means Halloween is getting stretched out for at least a whole week, like Thursday to Thursday of costume-ing. Ain’t nobody got time fo’ dat.
A little bit about me: My mother never really entertained the idea of a perfectly packaged Halloween costume.
Scratch that, I can remember it happening once for me. I was Princess Jasmine (ish) and it was pretty classy, not like that polyester crap you see nowadays; my Jasmine suit was silk, y’all.
After that, my mom was totally done buying us pricey costumes we’d only wear once so…I was a witch. Every single year. For at least eight years.
Now, in my “adulthood” (ugh, that word), I subject myself to last-minute choices for Halloween costumes every year. So let’s get down to it. Presenting last minute costume solutions from your closet (or very cheap additions to add that can be worn again):
Rosie the Riveter
You can do it! Denim shirt, jeans, combat boots (or really any kind of clunky boots), red lipstick, red bandana. Boom!
Fortune Teller
Raise your hand if you have a maxi skirt (that should be everyone). Pair it with a flowy, oversized shirt, and a wide belt. Layer on necklaces, huge earrings, bangles, and tie a long scarf in your hair. Add boots. Have a blast with crazy eye make-up. Crystal ball optional. And if you see a cutie you want to chat up, ask him if he wants to know his future…at least for the night (we think you can take it from there).
Deviled Egg
My brother gave me this BRILLIANT idea after seeing it at a frat party at Furman (don’t judge). I wore a white tube top and off-white leggings (I already had both items), purchased the devil horns, tail, and yellow felt. White Keds (or clear stripper heels, whatever) work for footwear. Disregard the bat; that was stolen from someone else’s costume.
Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s
Black shift dress, pearls, and head bling. Even a black sleeveless top with black pencil pants and black pumps would be great. Easy. Peezy.
A Bunch of Grapes
Weird, random, I know, but I’ve always wanted to be surrounded with purple balloons. So fun. Wear black (or even better, GREEN!) leggings and any long sleeve shirt. Purple wig is a plus, but not a must.
Partners in Crime
Perfect for besties or bf/gfs, I did this a few years ago (hence the long locks) and I loved it. Super simple: We wore all black, gloves, and knit hats purchased from Wal-Mart. Cut the fingers off the gloves and it’s…a…WRAP.
Any Small Mammal
For real. Mouse, raccoon, fox, cat–all it takes is a solid body of leggings and top (all black, all orange, etc.), ears, a tail and face makeup. Of course you can get a little more creative with a theme like the Three Blind Mice above (always a hit, especially with canes).
And you can always go the pop culture route; they’re my fave, especially when nametags are used so I know what the hell is going on. Examples: What does the Fox Say (fox costume, duh), Kanye and/or preggers Kim, SnapChat ghost (OMG, I’m brill), Government Shut Down (signage is key), Orange is the New Black, Breaking Bad, the list goes on.
Here’s the takeaway: Everybody knows that being Witty + Pretty is better than being slutty and skanky.