Likes: Spooky season, costumes, WIGS, junk food, saving money, and did I mention wigs? Dislikes: Spending money, spending money, and spending money. 

Every year I try to spend as little as I can on a Halloween costume, and I’ve come up with $15 as the magic number to stay under. It makes the costume creating process more fun, and inevitably more rewarding. Here are some tips on how I put together this year’s costume.  

The Find

It all started last spring. I was at Target, it was around St. Patrick’s Day, and I found a green wig for $3. That’s right, $3. Needless to say, I bought it with the sole purpose of saving it for this Halloween. No, I did not decide to be a Leprechaun for Halloween, but I considered. 

The Search

I looked for props. I wandered around Walmart and thrift stores, and ultimately decided on a unicorn horn. Why you may ask? Well, it was $2, and I was having a hard time coming up with a costume for a green wig that wasn’t a vegetable (which would have been fine if I hadn’t dressed up as food for Halloween last year). 

The Thrift

Next, I looked for the cheapest white T-shirt I could find. I found a men’s long sleeve tee for $4.84. This put me at about $9.84. Five whole dollars left until my max. 

The Look

After using makeup I already owned to dramatize the look (highlighter is your best friend, people), I realized I was still missing something. My roommate suggested I print out a rainbow and pin it onto my shirt. However, I was feeling lazy and wanted a costume that could provide a fun photo opportunity. So I bought a bag of Skittles for about $2 and called it a day. 

Basically, stick to cheaper stores, use things you already have if you can, appreciate the power of wigs and t-shirts, and try to be creative! And also a little extra. 

Have a spooky Halloween, and…

Be well, Auburn!

 Photography: Grace H.