Halloween Reimagined: Fun Concept Costumes From Your Closet
Spending money on a single-use Halloween costume is probably the last thing college students want to think about this year. Dressing up for one night is always a fun way to celebrate Halloween, but it tends to be very expensive and overwhelming. Fortunately, we have a solution: the concept costume. Concept costumes are fun and unique because they symbolize an idea of a specific costume, without being an exact replica.
Creative freedom to dress as a concept of something allows costumes to be created entirely from clothing that you probably already have in your closet. Here are a few ideas of unique concept costumes that can be thrown together in minutes and personalized to any style.
Bad News
Inspired by TikToker @mckennakemp28 video on unique concept costumes, “bad news” incorporates any fashion pieces or items that symbolize newspapers or magazine clippings. @mckennakemp28 suggests wrapping sheets of newspaper around your body and adding some edge with leather accents and chunky black boots. This costume is perfect if you have any old magazines or newspapers lying around and own any color belt or black boots!
If sheets of newspaper are not readily available to you, or if that's not your personal style, we suggest wearing pieces that have printed newspaper designs on them. This can also help you customize your look based on your climate and personal style.
Newspaper-printed items can be found on Amazon for under $20!
Running Late or Model Off-Duty
Introduced by TikToker @Elizabethkalina7 over the summer, “Running Late” could include any accessories or pieces imaginable and could be as elegant or as simple as you want. She includes a photo of a silk robe, a pajama set, a headband and sunglasses. This costume could also utilize hair rollers, large hair clips, slippers or sneakers, mismatched outfits or bold and dramatic makeup. Any accessories or symbols that portray the act of getting ready for an event would be perfect for helping this concept come to life.
This concept costume is also reminiscent of the “model off duty” fashion trend, which is a fashion style that incorporates basic pieces such as loose-fitting jeans, plain t-shirts and sunglasses to make an effortless casual look. Staple closet pieces can be used for this costume to make a casual, but elevated concept without breaking the bank.
Styling basic fashion pieces with items that symbolize getting ready, such as hair rollers, hair dryers, coffee cups, magazines, etc. can be a super simple but affordable and trendy Halloween costume.
Cherry on Top
“Cherry on Top” is a trending theme this year; from birthday parties to bid day events, cherries and extravagant desserts are on everyone's radar. Why not turn that into a concept costume? This concept could be 100% customizable, based on preexisting closet items and personal style. It can be glitz and glam, with red sequined skirts and shiny corset tops, or minimalistic, with cherry printed t-shirts and denim shorts or jeans. Cherry earrings or a cherry-patterned headband will complete the look!
Anything missing from your look can be easily found on Amazon for a reasonable price!
Concept costumes are a great way to celebrate the spirit of Halloween without wasting money on single-use fashion items. They also reduce the stress of ill-fitting clothing because they are created from items that are already in your closet. Mix up your costumes this year and let us know what concept costumes you think of along the way! Happy Halloween!