October has just begun, bringing the Halloween season along with it. As college students, Halloweekend can often be one of the most exciting weekends of the year. No one wants to be left scrambling to put together a costume just days before a party or a hangout with friends. Today, we are sharing our tips on how to start planning your Halloween costumes early to make sure you are prepared and can have a stress-free holiday.
Maleena Muzio
Staff Writer
she/her/hers
maleena.muzio@uconn.edu
In the digital age, Halloween costume planning may seem easier than ever, but it is still best to plan ahead. If you plan on ordering your costumes, it is better to act quickly, due to shipping times and backorders for popular items. It is never too early to start planning for Halloween and now that it is October, you should start planning now if you haven’t already.
Speaking of the digital age, social media is the best place to start looking. Instagram and TikTok can be useful, especially for looking at your favorite influencer’s old looks. However, if you would like to be more original, Pinterest is your best bet. All it takes is looking up a few key words, such as your favorite show or artist followed by “Halloween,” and you will see dozens of costume ideas. Remember, anything you see online can serve as a starting point. Looking at other peoples’ costumes may give you a new idea or even jog your memory of something you had come up with earlier in the year.
Costumes do not have to be pricey or extravagant, either. Another suggestion is to take a look in your closet and look for items that could be a starting point for your look. You never know what you might find that you had once forgotten about. Then, you can build your costume off that one item, adding accessories or necessary hair and makeup styling.
Another cost-efficient solution is to check out your local thrift stores. This is also an eco-friendly approach compared to ordering fast fashion pieces on sites like Amazon or Shien. Head into the thrift store with a few general ideas of costumes you are thinking of and begin your search. Whichever pieces stand out to you can then determine your costume, allowing you to build the rest of your look.
Side note — stores such as Dollarama and Dollar General may have better accessories to support your look than you may think. Personally, I always buy my tights at The Dollar Store.
My final tip is to check out your local Halloween or party store — something many of us have done when we were kids. Traditional pre-made Halloween costumes from the 2000s and 2010s are back in style. If you are struggling to come up with ideas, this is a great option for you! Looking at what the stores have already put together may even give you further inspiration to create your own unique outfit. For University of Connecticut students in Storrs, the closest Spirit Halloween is in Manchester (not far at all) and definitely has many great options.
Whichever approach you decide to take, it is best to start now. Enjoy October and remember to maximize your Halloweekend experience and get the best photo ops with friends by planning your costume (or costumes) ahead. Forget the stress of last minute, mediocre costumes and have a Happy Halloween!
Michelle Pawlos
Campus Correspondent
she/her/hers
michelle.pawlos@uconn.edu
If you’re planning to go out and dress up this Halloween, it’s a good idea to start planning now. October is here, and although it feels as if there’s still plenty of time to prepare, it’s actually a lot harder to plan Halloween costumes than it seems.
Consider the vibe you want to go for, whether that is funny, scary or iconic; getting that out of the way can instantly eliminate potential options. From there, look at your favorite characters or celebrities that fit that vibe and piece together how you can plan a costume.
As a college student on a budget, I like to think of costumes that heavily rely on hair and makeup, so I won’t have to spend as much money. If you go out for Halloweekend and need three costumes, this method can be helpful since Halloween costumes are so expensive nowadays.
Look at the items that are already in your closet. If you are between two Halloween costume ideas, go for the option that allows you to use what you already have.
It is also essential to determine whether you want to do individual or group Halloween costumes, as group ones may take longer to plan. Personally, for group costumes, I like to look at Pinterest or TikTok for inspiration. Often, people can disagree on group costumes, so it’s best to get these costumes out of the way first.
Once each costume is planned out, determine what still needs to be purchased and if it falls within your budget. Leaving all of the purchasing until the last minute can make you realize that you are not willing to spend so much on a one-time costume.
Waiting until the last minute can also result in your costume not fitting right and not being happy with how it looks. I know because I’ve been there. Make sure there’s plenty of time to return and buy an alternative.
Finally, this may be a stretch for some, but if you are choosing a makeup and hair-reliant costume, consider doing trials to see that you can achieve that hair and makeup look rather than stressing about it on Halloween day. For those planning to take pictures with friends, this is essential.
Ultimately, if you have all of this figured out ahead of time, Halloween can become an even more enjoyable experience. Remember to have fun but also stay safe.