Halloween Budget-Friendly Costumes for College Students

Spooky Season has commenced! Halloween is right around the corner, and while it’s one of the most exciting times of the year, finding a costume can be stressful — especially if you’re working with a college student’s budget. Between tuition, books, and daily expenses, you might not have much left over to splurge on a costume, but that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the fun.

Whether you’re attending a Halloween event or just looking for something festive to wear around campus, there are plenty of ways to create a standout costume without breaking the bank. From creative DIY ideas to budget-friendly buys, you can embrace the spooky spirit without sacrificing your wallet. This guide will help you get started on your Halloween look.

Costumes at No Cost: Shop Your Closet or Borrow

The best Halloween costumes don’t always require a trip to the store. You probably have everything you need right in your closet! One of the easiest ways to save money is by using items you or your friends already own. With a little creativity, you can turn everyday pieces into a Halloween masterpiece.

Here are some ideas for free costumes using things you already have:

The Classic "Tourist"

You can never go wrong with the classic tourist costume. All you need is a pair of cargo shorts, a bright floral shirt, and a pair of sunglasses — maybe even a fanny pack that sits on your waist to complete the look. Add a camera, a map, and streaks of sunscreen on your nose and cheeks and you’re all set to blend in at your next costume party as the ultimate sightseer.

A "Decade" Costume

Another easy option is to dress up as a character from your favorite decade. Whether it’s the groovy '70s, the bold '80s, or the grungy '90s, you can put together a fun retro look using clothes you already own.

• ‘70s: You can use a pair of high-waisted flare jeans, boots, and a flowy dress or top to complete a ‘70s look. Fringe was also big in the ‘70s, so you can get creative with one of your old clothing items and add fringe along the borders. Your hair can also be a decade-defining accessory. You can add volume to your hair or wear it pin straight. If you have 3a to 4c type hair, embrace your natural hair texture and wear your fro!
• ‘80s: Pull out your brightest and colorfully patterned clothing items to rock an ‘80s look. Bottoms can range from biker shorts to joggers and can be paired with leg warmers, headbands and eclectic jewelry. If you have a denim, leather, or bomber jacket, throw it over your outfit and you're ready to go.
• ‘90s: We’re living through a reemergence of 90s fashion, so you might already have the items to dress your ‘90s best. Baggy jeans, shorts, and overalls were fashion staples in the ‘90s. You can accessorize with an oversized jacket, cute sneakers, or a bucket hat.

To truly get into the decades’ spirit, listen to playlists with songs that were prominent in the ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s as you get ready.

"Professional" You

If you have a blazer, dress shirt, or other work-appropriate attire, you can turn yourself into any number of professional figures. Throw on a suit jacket and grab a clipboard to become a corporate executive or lawyer. If you have access to medical scrubs or a lab coat, you could even go as a doctor or scientist. It’s simple, clean, and cost-effective!

DIY Superhero

You don’t need a full costume to look like a superhero. Grab a solid-colored T-shirt and pair it with leggings or jeans. Use a towel or blanket as a cape, and if you have markers, you can draw a custom emblem on your shirt. Channel your favorite superhero or create your own! It’s a fun, no-cost way to bring your inner hero and inner child to life.

The "College Student" (but Make it Funny)

If all else fails, lean into what you know best — being a college student. Wear your favorite college hoodie, grab a backpack, and carry a pile of textbooks under your arm. You can take it up a notch by adding a coffee cup and dark under-eye circles to reflect those sleepless study nights. It’s a humorous, relatable costume that won’t cost you a dime.

$5-10 Costumes: Low-Cost, High Impact

There are plenty of ways to pull together a great costume with just a few dollars. Thrift stores, dollar stores, and even the back of your closet can be your best friends when hunting for budget-friendly costume materials.

"Zombie" Costume

A classic zombie look is easy to create and costs next to nothing. Head to your local thrift store and pick up some old clothes — think tattered shirts, jeans, or a dress — that you don’t mind ripping up. For zombie makeup, you can use face paint or basic makeup from the dollar store to add dark circles, pale skin, and blood splatters. If you don’t have fake blood, red lipstick or face paint works just as well. For under $10, you’ll be set as a convincing (and spooky) member of the undead.

"Ghost" Costume

A ghost is one of the simplest and most affordable costumes out there. All you need is a white sheet and some scissors. Cut two eye holes in the sheet, drape it over yourself, and voilà — you’re a classic ghost! You can add chains, glow-in-the-dark face paint, or a spooky voice to make it more unique. This costume is affordable, timeless, and fun.

"Cat" Costume

Animal costumes are always a hit and creating a cat costume can be incredibly budget-friendly. Start with black leggings or jeans and a black shirt (both of which you likely already own). Buy a pair of cat ears from the dollar store or make your own with a headband and some construction paper. You can draw on whiskers with black eyeliner and craft a tail from any spare fabric or even a sock stuffed with paper or cotton. For just a few dollars, you’ll have a cute and easy costume. You can also use the cat costume template to dress as any animal you like. Just go for a different colored or patterned shirt and craft or buy the ears of your animal of choice.

"Mime" Costume

A mime costume is easy to throw together on a budget. All you need is a striped shirt, black pants, and suspenders, if you have them. You can find face paint for a dollar or two to create the classic white mime face with exaggerated black eyebrows and lips. It’s a costume that’s simple but visually striking — and perfect if you want to avoid small talk at parties!

"Athlete" Costume

If you’re an athlete or just have some sports gear lying around, why not turn it into a costume? Whether it’s a jersey, tennis skirt, or sweatband, you can quickly transform into a basketball player, tennis pro, or marathon runner. If you don’t already have the gear, thrift stores often have a sports section where you can find jerseys and other athletic wear for cheap. Add some sneakers and a water bottle, and you’re ready to go!

$10-20 Costumes: Affordable and Creative

If you can stretch your budget a little further, you’ll have more options for crafting a creative, eye-catching costume without spending a fortune. Here are some ideas that fall within the $10-$20 range.

"Pirate" Costume

To create a pirate costume, head to a thrift store for a loose-fitting white shirt and some old black or brown pants. Add a bandana or eye patch from a dollar store and craft a sword from cardboard. For makeup, go for smudged eyeliner to give yourself that rugged pirate look. With just a few inexpensive pieces, you’ll be ready to sail the seven seas — or at least be a stand-out swashbuckler at your Halloween party.

"Where’s Waldo?"

If you’re a fan of the classic "Where’s Waldo?" look, you can easily recreate it on a budget. Find a red-and-white striped shirt (or make one with red tape on a white shirt), some jeans, and a pair of glasses. You can buy a red beanie or make one yourself with felt and a pom-pom. You can be the iconic Waldo, and your friends will have fun trying to "find" you all night.

"Witch" or "Wizard" Costume

Witch and wizard costumes are Halloween staples that can be affordable to create. Pick up a black dress or black pants and a top from your closet or a thrift store and add a witch’s hat or wizard’s staff from the dollar store. You can also get creative with makeup, adding a dark lipstick, dramatic eyeshadow, or even fake warts with green face paint for a classic witch look.

"Vampire" Costume

You can easily put together a vampire costume with a few simple pieces. Start with black clothing — pants, a shirt, or a dress — and add a cape, which can be made from a black piece of fabric or found at a dollar store. Use makeup to give yourself a pale complexion, dark eyes, and, of course, fake blood dripping from your mouth. If you want to splurge a bit, vampire fangs are a fun addition that will still keep your costume under $20.

"Superhero T-Shirt Costume"

If you want to embody your favorite superhero without going all-out on a full costume, consider buying a superhero-themed t-shirt, which you can often find for around $15-20 at department stores or online. Pair it with jeans or leggings and add a homemade cape or mask to complete the look. It’s a casual and comfortable costume, perfect for campus events or casual parties.

Connect with Student Life

Now that you’ve got your Halloween costume figured out, don’t forget to check out what’s happening on campus! Either by finding on-campus events on your university’s event platform or by visiting your student life office in between classes, make this Halloween one to remember. USF hosts a plethora of events to celebrate the spooky season, so check Bullsconnect and connect with Student Life to find out about upcoming events and see how you can get involved.