Halloween is fast approaching and a creative costume is essential. Every Halloween I buy the bare minimum for my costumes and instead try to use anything that I already own. This year I will be a funky bunny. I bought a leotard and matching biker shorts in a crazy pattern from American Apparel. On Amazon you can buy a lot of marked down American Apparel clothing (I bought leggings in various colors for $10 each).

For my bunny costume all I needed was a pair of bunny ears. I went to a Halloween shop and bought kid’s rabbit ears for $4 as opposed to adult rabbit ears for $12 (what a rip off). Sometimes you can find kid costumes that can fit you and pay a fraction of the price compared to the adult version.

I know that I mention thrift stores as a go-to store in about every blog  post that I write, but finding a Halloween costume there will be dirt cheap. Anything can be found and created for under $10. Party and costume stores have clothes that are cheaply made and overpriced. Don’t waste your money and buy the real deal for much less.

—Karolina

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Ashley’s Pick

Halloween on a tight budget calls for some creativity and a bit more effort than just going to a store and purchasing a packaged costume.

For my tiger costume, I visited low-price point stores like Target, Forever 21 and Goodwill to find the right pieces. The dress from Forever 21 was fewer than $20 and looks very similar to tiger print. It can be worn on occasions other than Halloween, making it a great long-term buy.

Goodwill had a large selection of gently used costumes and accessories, and for only $2 these ears were an essential addition to the look. Finish off the costume with tiger makeup and enjoy a fun night out without breaking the bank.

Julia’s Pick

For those looking to skip the fairies, princesses and glitter on Halloween, step out as the tough, adventurous Lara Croft. The new Tomb Raider reboot is set to release in 2013, making those dressed as the sexy, fearless archaeologist ahead of the game.

The costume is rather simple. I found an old pair of black jeggings and cut them into shorts. Then, I cut off one of my v-necks into a crop top, cutting slits into the side to create a torn, distressed look.

You can purchase a leg-strap gun holster from Amazon.com, or make your own straps around the legs and hook it to your belt. Throw on some combat boots, braid you hair, and you are ready to defeat the Illuminati!

Megan’s Pick

When hunting for the perfect Halloween costume, look no further than your own closet.

A scarecrow is a simple and inexpensive solution for anyone who’s in a hurry to put together a last-minute costume. All you need for this look is a plaid shirt and any item that resembles straw, such as the bristles of a broom.

To enhance the look, I added a hat and suspenders. Depending on what you have at home, you can add whatever you want to make the look your own.

PHOTOS BY MATT HAFLEY
Modeled by Julia Titus
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I am so excited for Halloween! For once, I know what I am dressing up as earlier than two days before going out to celebrate. This year, I am going to be Snow White. I bought a Snow White Costume complete with the princess’s dress and red headband off of eBay for $20, which I thought was a steal compared to $40 costumes from stores like Party City. Unfortunately my costume hasn’t arrived yet, or else I would love to show you all.

I plan to put my hair up so it looks like a fake bob. Snow White seemed like a perfect costume because in the past year there have been two remakes of the classic – Mirror, Mirror with Julia Roberts and Snow White and The Huntsman with Kristen Stewart. Also, the popular TV show, Once Upon a Time, which I happen to really like, is based on Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. I am looking forward to pretending to be a princess for the day!

—Alexa

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