I absolutely love Halloween. It has nothing to do with candy, scary movies, or haunted houses. Instead it has to do with my favorite Halloween tradition — dressing up in costumes. 

Since I was a kid, I’ve loved the idea of dressing up and pretending to be something or someone else for a night. Back then, I would dress up like a police officer or an Auburn football player. Even now, I still haven’t lost interest in dressing up. Instead, I’ve become more thoughtful about my costume choices and probably enjoy it even more. My two favorite sources of inspiration? Disney characters and pop culture references.

Do It Yourself

Another thing I’ve realized as I’ve gotten older? Halloween costumes are usually expensive. Buying a costume from a store can get pricey, and you risk the chance of later running into someone wearing the same one. (And let’s be honest, none of us want that). The best way to save a little money on Halloween, while having fun and standing out, is to make your own costume.

Making your own Halloween costume can be so much fun! In my honest opinion, homemade costumes are the best ones. They’re more personal, and you get to put your own creative touch on it. Pinterest is a great place to find inspiration if you need somewhere to start.

Head to Your Closet!

The first step in creating your own costume? Start in your closet! This may seem kind of obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people will skip this step and head straight to the store for a whole new look. You can often find inspiration from your everyday wardrobe. Maybe one of your favorite outfits reminds you of a TV character? Maybe you have pieces that you’ve never worn together, but they now suddenly make sense as something your favorite celebrity would wear? Raid that closet first before moving any further.

By this point, you’ve probably got a general idea of what you’re going for. Great! Make a game plan for what else you need to “complete the look.” Or maybe you couldn’t find exactly what you need in your closet. This is when you take a step back and commit to your idea and then figure out what you need to make it happen. Afterward, make a quick list of everything you need.

Budget, Budget, Budget!

This is probably the most important step in the process. Making your own costume can be a great way to save money, but it can also get expensive quickly. I’ve made costumes that cost about $10 to make, and I’ve made a costume that cost close to $100. It’s easy to get carried away. Make a list of what is essential to your costume, decide how much you’re willing to spend, and go!

Your two best friends in this process will be the craft store and the thrift store. If you’ve never spent hours wandering the aisles in Hobby Lobby before, then you’re living life wrong, and today is the day to fix that! This is where you’ll find the little things that will make your costume great. If your closet wasn’t very helpful, start at the thrift store. You’ll probably be amazed at the selection. Always look for deals, and you can make your vision a reality without breaking the bank.

Putting it all Together

Now that you’ve got everything you need, head home and start assembling! Once you’ve gotten all the pieces together, try your costume on and snap a few pics. Have fun with it! Seeing your finished costume will help you decide if you love it, or if it needs just a little something extra to complete the look. This is when everything comes together, and you’ve got yourself a completed costume!

The most important thing to remember when making your own costume is to take LOTS of pictures! Not only will you want to show off your creation to all of your friends, but also your idea may inspire others to try the same costume. Show it off and have fun! Halloween costumes aren’t just for little kids to trick-or-treat in. They’re for having fun and allowing yourself to be whatever you want for a night.

So have fun and DON’T be yourself! After all, it is Halloween.

Be well, Auburn.

Photography: Cat S.