Simple but Stylish Halloween Costumes

By: Dakota D. Duran

Being one who loves to style and put outfits together, you know that Halloween is one of my favorite holidays of the year. It gives me a reason to style, do makeup, and do different and crazy hairstyles. What more could you ask for?

However, as much as I love dressing up and styling a costume, I never want to spend too much as I am only wearing the costume for one night. In the past, I have found myself going all out on certain costumes, but once Halloween ended, so did my sight of those clothing pieces as they haven’t been touched since. I have found myself mastering the art of effortlessly chic looks, and I guarantee that I will be using it for this year’s spooky season.

With the holiday coming up sooner than we know it, here are some simple, low-budget costume ideas that you can most likely find in your closet already, saving you the anxiety of whether or not your Amazon Prime package is going to come in time:

1. Cat

Starting off with an ode to the queen Gretchen Wieners, there is nothing wrong with the good ole basic costume of a cat. This can honestly be styled in so many different ways while using different options in your closet. This is how I would personally style it, using the clothes I already have; a black dress and gogo boots are always my go-to for any night out, and by adding cat ears, you can make the perfect Halloween costume.

2. Bunny

Following the animal theme, a bunny costume is also super convenient and easy to accomplish. I find this one easy as well as you can use almost anything you already have. I would go for a comfy look, using a silk white pajama set. For the shoes, you can either dress it up with heels, down with sneakers, or even go in between with cowboy boots. This costume will definitely be giving ethereal forest fairy animal, and you’ll be able to put it together using anything white in your closet.

3. Princess Diaries - Mia Thermopolis

One of the reasons I moved to San Francisco was because I was obsessed with “Princess Diaries,” and while the plot of the movie is amazing, I think the outfits are also to die for. You can either go for a preppy vibe by being schoolgirl Mia with her uniform, but, I would personally go for the iconic dress and headphones outfit. I’m sure you have a white dress somewhere in your closet, and after adding some black headphones and sunglasses with a slick back bun, you will be good to go for your next Halloween party.

4. Ballerina

While I love the ballerina aesthetic in my everyday wear, I also love it for Halloween. You can also spice up this look in almost any way, either being the “Black Swan” or wearing the typical pink outfit (which my Barbie-loving self would definitely choose). You can wear any bodysuit or leotard you have lying around, add a tutu, leg warmers, and a slick back bun, and there you go! I would make sure to perfect some ballet positions before the Halloween party, just in case you need a conspicuous party trick.

5. Victoria’s Secret Angel

When I was younger, I would watch every Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show religiously. I am obsessed with anything relating to comfort, so, of course, I am a pajama and lingerie connoisseur. If you have any silk pajama sets lying around, use them! You can make angel wings or buy them, and after putting on some heels and doing full glam, you will be ready to walk the runway.

6. Dorothy

Get out that random white corset that I know you have because it is going to come in clutch once again. Throwing it back to my favorite childhood movie, a "Dorothy" costume is and always will be iconic. This costume is timeless, as I was Dorothy when I was younger, and I would most definitely be her again. You can use any white top you have and pair it with a blue plaid skirt and any red shoes you own, adding some pigtails, and then you will be off to see the wonderful Wizard of Oz!

7. Siren/Mermaid

I saved this one for last as this one is harder to achieve than others, but I think you can put this look together in so many different ways. If you don’t have a crochet set like the one listed, I would use any bathing suit coverup you have, or even cut up a skirt and a top! You can pair this with heels or even cowboy boots, giving you the full coastal cowgirl vibe. After adding some crimps in your hair and some shell jewelry, you will look like you’re straight from “The Little Mermaid.”