Emma Marshall, Arts Editor |

Halloween is a widely celebrated holiday, going by different names for each culture, although the lore stays relatively the same, and dates back to the Celtic holiday of Samhain. Halloween, a day marked by frights and terror, is when the veil between the living and the dead is at its thinnest. As an attempt to ward off, or blend in with, wandering spirits and ghosts, it became a popular tradition to dress in costume on Halloween night. 

Nowadays, the commodification of this holiday has successfully stripped away some of this liminal, otherworldly fear. However, it has also brought about new excitement and ways of celebrating. Whether Halloween is loved for the costumes, tricks, or treats, there is something for everyone to love this time of year. 

In the Halloween spirit, it is needless to say that finding a costume can creep up on you more quickly than anticipated. With the endless supply of information on the internet, it is a shock that unique costume ideas are slim to none. The frustration increases when you take one look into a Halloween costume store, and find a classic hippie outfit retailing for $150. Finding an idea you love is hard, but pulling it together can be even harder. 

Modern Halloween is a time for creativity, expression, and community, and nothing brings out the spooky spirit quite like DIY costumes. As the most ominous night of the year approaches, many people embrace the chance to showcase their ingenuity through homemade costumes. 

With rising costs, DIY costumes can also be a budget-friendly option. By using materials found at home or purchasing inexpensive items from thrift stores, stunning costumes are crafted without breaking the bank. This approach makes Halloween accessible to everyone, regardless of financial means. Unlike store-bought costumes, which can often be cookie-cutter and impersonal, DIY options stand out in their originality. In an age of increasing environmental awareness, DIY costumes present a sustainable alternative to fast fashion. By using recycled materials or thrifted items, individuals can reduce waste and promote eco-friendly practices. 

DIY costumes also allow people to express their unique personalities and interests. When you create your costume, you have the freedom to incorporate elements that reflect who you are. Whether it’s a beloved character from a book, a clever pun, or an abstract idea, the possibilities are endless. This means by doing it yourself, you can dress up as someone totally different, yet still feel like yourself. So here are some potential costume ideas if you’re stuck.

Solo Costumes

Walking Art Canvas

Transform into a work of art by wearing a plain white outfit and bringing some fabric markers. Doubling as a great conversation starter, collect people’s illustrations throughout the night. Totally immersive and unique by arriving as a blank slate, and leaving as a masterpiece. 

Garfield

To elevate the basic kitty cat costume, dress up in all orange and rock the comic book classic — Garfield. An orange dress, shirt, or pants will do the job. Sticking on some face paint and cat ears brings it together. Want to get crafty? Take an old box of lasagna noodles where the branding is clear, attach a chain or strap, and use it as a purse or bag. This way, Garfield is equipped with his favourite meal all night, and the creativity cannot be looked over. 

Duo Costumes

Curious George and Yellow Man

Throwing it back to childhood, any duo can recreate this look. One person takes on the role of George by dressing in all brown, adding monkey ears and a tail, and can take it a step further by asking questions all night long. A cute elevation would be to invest in a banana purse for the night. The other must wear yellow, whether that be all yellow or just yellow accents, but they cannot forget the distinguishable yellow hat to pull the look together. 

Gardener and Flower

With the need to find a clever costume, the masses brush past the basics, such as dressing as a flower and its gardener. This one is easy, and can be customized in many ways. The gardener can wear anything they want, but to make the outfit distinguishable, I recommend sticking to neutrals, as well as wearing an apron and a sun hat. The flower can really be anything. A rose, an orchid, a sunflower, you name it. It can be expressed through makeup, headpieces, outfits, or a mixture of all three. My favourite is to braid vines into the hair and stick petals on the face or neck. 

Cosmo and Wanda

Inspired by Fairly Odd Parents, this costume is a little niche, but very cute nonetheless. Cosmo is all green, even down to the hair. Typically male, but can be worn by anyone. Wanda is entirely pink, with characteristic bright pink lips. Tie the costume together with a small pair of fairy wings, and make wands by sticking yellow stars to chopsticks. 

Group Costumes

The solar system

With eight planets in the solar system, this costume is perfect for groups of up to eight. Groups can choose to be realistic and utilize cardboard cutouts to replicate planets, or they can be a little more subtle by dressing in specific colours and wearing distinctive accessories. For example, the sun can wear all gold, and accessorize with an over the top celestial crown. The moon can do the same but silver, and Venus or Mars can go all out with red outfits and makeup. Overall, this idea is extremely versatile and can work for small or large groups. 

The cast of a favorite show

Choose a popular TV show, like “Monsters Inc.,” “The Wizard of Oz,” or “Scooby Doo.” Each group member can dress as a character, using thrift store finds to replicate iconic looks. Usually, costumes can be mirrored pretty closely with some thriftiness, DIY, and creativity. 

Group effort

Having trouble deciding who each person should dress as in the group? How about all dressing as the same thing, but having the opportunity to make personalization details. Some examples include witches, aliens, care bears, garden gnomes, or even costumes inspired by different decades.

DIY costumes for Halloween offer an incredible opportunity for creativity, bonding, and sustainability. By crafting costumes, people can showcase their unique styles, save money, and promote eco-friendly practices. This Halloween, consider stepping away from the stores and embracing the joy of creating something truly special and one-of-a-kind. After all, the best costumes tell a story — your story. 

Emma Marshall is the Arts Editor for The Reflector 2024-2025. She is in her third year of journalism, from Northern England, and her childhood was filled with constant movement and travel.