Halloween is upon us and it’s costume crunch time. With two-thirds of people planning to buy Halloween costumes, according to the National Retail Federation, store-bought costumes are clearly a popular choice. We totally get it. You’re no Martha Stuart and you have zero intention of actually crafting any of those costumes you’ve been pinning since last year. Fear not, gentle readers.
Before you set out to battle the crowds of desperate costume-seekers, consider your closet.
Instead of a chintzy get-up you’ll wear once and kick to the curb, just grab your trusty Levi’s®, pair them with some simple wardrobe staples and a select accessory or two. You’ll be the costume envy of all your friends and can reserve your Halloween budget for delicious treats and frightening decor. Minimal effort and few DIY skills required (promise).
Here are a few ideas to get you started:
1. Marty McFly from Back to the Future
From your closet: Plaid one-pocket shirt, Trucker jacket, straight leg jeans
Complete the look: Start with the plaid shirt, add the jacket, and layer a red puffy vest on top, finish with a pair of white high-tops and some sweet dance moves.
2. Flo from Progressive
From your closet: White jeans, white one pocket shirt, Chuck Taylors
Complete the look: Smile wide! Write Progressive in blue marker on a white apron, add a FLO nametag and a blue headband.
3. Where’s Waldo
From your closet: Red-and white-striped shirt, slim fit jeans
Complete the look: Add a red cap and a pair of black-rimmed glasses. Try to blend into the crowd.
4. Joan Jett
From your closet: Black leather jacket, black skinny jeans, black eyeliner, large-buckled belt
Complete the look: Grab a black mullet wig, a few black cuff bracelets and apply eyeliner — lots of eyeliner.
5. Bruce Springsteen, as seen on the Born in the U.S.A. Album Cover
From your closet: White tee, 501 jeans, red baseball cap, leather belt
Complete the look: Tuck in your shirt and roll up the sleeves. Slide the bill of your cap in your back pocket.
6. Zack Morris from Saved by the Bell
From your closet: Patterned or colored button-down shirt, Trucker jacket, relaxed fit jeans
Complete the look: Find a blond wig, pop your jacket collar and remember to leave a couple shirt buttons undone. Lace up a pair of high-tops and practice your heart-melting grin. Bonus points if you can score an over-sized 80s cell phone.
7. Rosie the Riveter
From your closet: Western shirt, boot cut jeans, red bandana, red lipstick
Complete the look: Roll up your sleeves, tie a bandana around your head. Don’t forget the 1940s makeup and bicep curl.
8. Chuck Norris, as seen in Invasion U.S.A.
From your closet: Denim Trucker vest, straight leg jeans, brown leather belt
Complete the look: Leave the vest unbuttoned, pair with a giant gold belt buckle and a shoulder holster. Full beard and moustache optional, but awesome.
9. Daisy Duke
From your closet: Cutoff denim shorts, plaid Western shirt, cowboy boots
Complete the look: Tie your shirt above the midriff, tease your hair to make it nice and big, smile flirtatiously.
10. Wilson Wilson from Home Improvement
From your closet: Brown plaid shirt, beige floppy hat, relaxed fit jeans
Complete the look: Glue popsicle sticks into a mini “fence”, practice saying “Hi-dee-ho,” and “Howdy, Good Neighbor.”
11. Deb from Napoleon Dynamite
From your closet: High-rise jeans, pink- and white-striped polo shirt
Complete the look: Pull your hair into a side pony, snap on a fanny pack and a plastic box (preferably a Caboodle) filled with plastic jewelry.
12. James Dean, as seen in Rebel Without A Cause
From your closet: White tee, jeans
Complete the look: Slick back your hair, roll your pant legs twice, pair with a red jacket and a soulful, steely gaze.
13. Steve Urkel from Family Matters
From your closet: Polo shirt, button-down cardigan, skinny jeans
Complete the look: Strap on a pair of suspenders and a thick pair of glasses — the bigger the better. Roll up your jeans, push up your glasses often and screech “Did I do that?”
14. Steve Jobs
From your closet: Sneakers, black long-sleeve tee, stone washed jeans
Complete the look: Tuck your shirt and add wire-frame glasses. Don’t forget your iPhone (obviously!)
15. 90s Jerry Seinfeld
From your closet: Black jeans, brown belt, denim Western shirt
Complete the look: Slip on a pair of white tennis shoes and tuck in your shirt. Brush up on your catchphrases … not that there’s anything wrong with that.
Image credits:
Pikawil via Flickr CC
_LisaMarie via FlickrCC
