Don’t Fear, Last Minute Halloween Costumes Are Here
Halloween can be a stressful time. Between midterms and the guilt of wasting your money on an outfit that you wear once and then put away forever, getting a costume can be more of a nuisance than anything else. But don’t panic, there are plenty of options that can be crafted from your very own wardrobe with few modifications or purchases needed.
Formal Wear
Vampire
Vampires are dressed to the nines; a button up shirt, black slacks, suit jackets, and even a bowtie will set you up for this costume. You do need a cape, though! While you could buy a cape online or at a local costume store, simply tying a black sheet around your neck gets the job done just fine in a pinch. Bonus points for having edgy nail polish or a red lip color (or fake blood if that’s what you’re into).
Britney Spears
If you think being a bloodsucking monster is too extra, your throwback to 1998 can be as simple as tying your white button up in the front with a gray cardigan on top to channel Britney Spears’ “One More Time.” She combines this look with a simple short black skirt, black thigh highs, and heeled Mary Janes.
Casual wear
Kim Kardashian
Maybe by this point you’re not so sure you want to risk your nice button-ups just to save a few dollars, but don’t worry we’ve got you covered for that too; a Halloween costume can be thrown together just using your daily wear.
The Kardashians, for all their usual outlandishness, can actually be a pretty accessible Halloween costume. Put on a pair of bike shorts and a plain crop top. Finish the look with a flashy jacket, sunglasses, and heels to vaguely resemble Kim just enough to get into that party.
John DeNero
So maybe local celebrities are more of your thing, and that’s fine too. Become Berkeley’s most beloved professor by wearing a DeNero style plaid button up shirt, unironic dad shoes, and loose fit jeans. And if you’d like, you could even finish the look off and maximize efficiency by bringing your laptop to code on.
Steve Jobs
If the Kardashians are too much, then a black turtleneck, blue jeans, and white sneakers will turn you into another iconic figure: Steve Jobs.
Frat Boy
And if that’s still too much, just come with a pastel button up, dangerously short shorts, and some boat shoes to look like the Haas frat star that you’ve always dreamed of being.
This list isn’t comprehensive by any means; your wardrobe is your own, and if that means being a librarian, an iconic vine, or your own dad, then so be it! And if all else fails, you can just be your best friend’s background dancer.
Words by Elizabeth Lemons