With Halloween and midterms just around the corner, looking for costumes can be a pain – but don’t worry! Lucky for you, Her Campus at UBC has got your back.
Here’s a style guide to making your Halloween costume effortless, elegant, and economical!
How to navigate: Scroll down the list to find the color you’d like to wear, and select the concept or character you resonate with (and have clothes for in your wardrobe!). It’s as easy as that!
***All of these ideas were compiled in a manner that would complement existing items in everyone’s closet, with the small exception of accessories that may need to be DIYed or purchased from a dollar store****
If you want to wear black for Halloween:
- Mrs. Smith
From your wardrobe: Black dress (long or short) or a black tank top and black skirt combo, heels or boots
Outsource: Toy gun holster and toy gun
- Maddy from Euphoria
Although this one’s outdone, you can’t go wrong with it. The key to executing this outfit lies in makeup and accessories. So, you could wear any outfit you like as long as you go all out with everything else!
From your wardrobe: Any Black outfit, Sparkly accessories
Outsource: Gemstones for the makeup
- Witch
A better alternative to the cliché cat costume. It’s easy to execute and fun to play around with!
From your wardrobe: any black dress or black skirt and top combo
Outsource: long gloves and a tall hat (try your local dollar store!)
- Matrix
If you want to be the edgiest person on Halloween, you HAVE to go with the matrix costume!
From your wardrobe: black leather jacket or a trench coat, black boots, black sunglasses
Outsource: Nothing!
- Girl Boss
If you’re the “go-getter” of your friend group, why haven’t you thought of this girlboss Halloween costume?
From your wardrobe: Black blazer, sunglasses, and any formal attire that matches!
Outsource a mug that says “world best boss”
- MIB
Although very similar to the matrix costume; MIB can be a fun group costume and easy to execute!
From your wardrobe: Black blazer, black sunglasses, white top, black tie, and style with a black skirt or pants
Outsource: A toy gun
- Easy A
An iconic costume that you only need 3 items for!
From your wardrobe: black corset top, black shades, and black jeans/pants
DIY: The Red “A”
If you’re looking for a bold color – here’s some inspo for Red costumes
- Betty boop
This is a cute and iconic outfit to recreate for Halloween! Go for a bold look with red lips to compliment the aesthetic of Betty Boop.
From your wardrobe: red dress, heart accessories, gold jewelry, any pair of heels that match
Outsource: nothing!
- Cupid
Angels are outdone, so let’s use a cupid costume this time! With cupid, you could opt for a bright pink or red makeup look to match the “love is in the air” vibe!
From your wardrobe: red dress/top/skirt, heart accessories
Outsource: mini bow and arrow (try your local dollar store!) and wings (optional)
- Mario
Mario costumes are a classic. It’s also very easy to match with others for a group costume! From your wardrobe: Red t-shirt/top and any pants/skirt
Outsource: White gloves and Suspenders
If Green is more your style:
- Mother Nature
An elegant and graceful choice. Although this may be heavy on the accessories and makeup division.
From your wardrobe: any green dress/top/skirt/pants combo
Outsource: Green vines (to wear around yourself) and a floral headband/tiara
- Kim Possible
Kim Possible is slightly cliché but still remains the most fabulous Halloween costume if executed properly.
From your wardrobe: Black long-sleeved top, Green cargo pants
Outsource: Biker gloves
- Tinkerbell
From your wardrobe: green sleeveless dress/green sleeveless top and skirt
Outsource: Wings and “fairy” dust
Other Colours (White and Pastels):
- Goddess
From your wardrobe: Long flowy garments (any long flowy dress or top with a skirt), gold sandals, and accessories
Outsource: olive branch crown
- Angel
From your wardrobe: White dress/ white top and skirt combo
Outsource: Wings and tiara
- Pirate
From your wardrobe: Flowy white top/shirt, black or brown skirt and gold waist chain
Outsource: Pirate hat and toy sword
- Bridgerton
From your wardrobe: any pastel-colored silk dress
Outsource: Tiara and lace gloves
Our “Pro tips”
- Ditch the wings!
Wings complete the costume and sometimes ARE the costume, so take photos at home and ditch them before any party. You don’t want your wings entangled in someone else’s costume!
- Go for a concept for more flexibility.
If you’re feeling uncertain about a costume this year, try to opt for a concept with more room to play around with. Meaning that opts for a fairy costume rather than executing a Winx club costume so that you can choose what to do with your hair, makeup, etc., and even what color to wear! A well-executed fairy costume will always trump a poorly done Winx club one.
- Stand out with the makeup.
For most of these costumes, makeup is your secret ingredient. For instance, the plainest costume can be quickly elevated with a bold eyeshadow look. Try practicing early, and watch tons of YouTube tutorials to know what you’re going for!
- Try to source + repurpose from your own closet.
Many of these ideas are intended to complement staple pieces in everyone’s wardrobe (with the minor exception of accessories like wings and toy guns), as much money and materials are often wasted during Halloween. Despite our suggestions, you can always substitute any of your other pieces to execute any of these costumes.
Happy costume hunting!