How to create a low-cost Halloween costume

It’s that time of year again when broke college students must scrounge for a Halloween costume for the variety of parties they will attend. Here are some easy and cheap costumes that anyone can pull off. Most of these can also work as a group costume.

For those who want to keep in the spooky spirit of Halloween, dressing as Wednesday from “The Addams Family” might be the costume for you. All you will need is a black dress with a white button-up underneath and to put your hair into two braids. Black tights and black shoes could be worn too.

Another idea that simply requires a dress is a waitress. Add an apron and a name-tag to complete the look. This could be made in a waiter outfit too. Just swap the dress for pants or shorts and a button-up shirt.

If the weather is supposed to be hot for Halloween, then dressing as a lifeguard could be your best bet. Simply wear white or red shorts and a white or red top, sandals and a whistle around your neck. Additional items could be white paint on your cheeks or nose to look like sunscreen, a hat or visor and a fanny pack.

For colder weather, a warmer costume idea is to dress as Damien from the movie “Mean Girls.” Grab a hoodie and sunglasses, and carry around a piece of paper that you’ve written, “She doesn’t even go here!” on.

Another idea is to dress as the Brawny Man. All you’d need is a red plaid shirt and a roll of Brawny paper towels to carry around. A beard is optional.

Additionally, Rosie the Riveter is an easy choice. Grab a red bandana and a button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled up and you’re ready to show off those guns.

Arguably the easiest costumes are to be an Identity Thief or literally “50 Shades of Grey.” For the identity thief idea, simply write different names on a bunch of name tags and stick them on your shirt.

The “50 Shades of Grey” idea costs nothing. Wear a grey shirt and go to any store that carries paint and grab a bunch of grey paint samples. Tape or pin them to your grey shirt, and that’s it.

Most of all, Halloween is about having fun, but it’s important to choose your costume appropriately. Dressing as a Native American or wearing blackface is cultural appropriation, and when there are many other choices for costumes, it’s simply best to choose a costume that is not controversial.