Halloween Costume Curation

August. First step on campus. The sun is beating down. The leaves are vibrant green and everyone is in shorts, tees, and flops. And yet, people are already in a frenzy thinking about what their Halloween costume will be.

Halloween is THE night of the year. For many, Halloween is celebrated over multiple nights, meaning people are scrambling to figure out a fire lineup. But why do we stress about this holiday so much? Well, it’s an opportunity to experiment with your identity and show off your skills in executing the perfect idea. You want to walk into a room and have people think, “WOW! That’s a sick costume!” Whether spooky or sexy, we all hope to take someone’s breath away. With October on the calendar, I thought I’d evaluate the universal criteria for Halloween costume execution.

Courtesy of Pinterest Courtesy of Pinterest

Recognizability

Whether group or solo, it’s crucial that your costume is somewhat recognizable. However, don’t confuse recognizability with ubiquity. Recognizability can be a great conversation starter and connection builder. You don’t want to answer a million “What are you dressed up as?” questions about a costume you spent weeks, or even months, planning. Having to explain your costume all night can leave a bad taste in your mouth, and that’s definitely not from the candy.

Creativity

Halloween is one of the few times we can really experiment with what we wear without many boundaries. So, embrace it! This applies not just to execution, but to the idea itself. You don’t want to be the 100th basic cat walking down Locust. I know last-minute costume curation is real (trust me, I’ve been there), but if you can plan ahead, adding some creative pizzazz to your costume is much appreciated.

Style

One of the biggest questions when planning a costume is, “Will it be cute?” What looks good ultimately relies on your judgment and personal standards, so incorporating your own style and personality is key. Your creativity can also feed into a well-styled costume. Beyond the outfit itself, think about how you can style your hair, apply your makeup, and accessorize. These details can elevate the entire look.

Practicality

Although it’s awesome to go all out for a weekend, it’s probably not worth spending hundreds of dollars on a costume you’ll never wear again. Start by looking in your closet for pieces you already own and can incorporate into your look. If buying something new, consider whether you could repurpose or rewear it beyond Halloween.

It’s also helpful to think about what your Halloweekend events will actually look like. It probably isn’t a good idea to wear four-inch pumps on a night full of walking. While Halloween is ideally a holiday without boundaries, considering sustainability and functionality can make your costume—and your night—a whole lot better.

Although many stress about having the “perfect” Halloween costume, it ultimately doesn’t exist. The whole point of Halloween is to have fun. You get to call the shots. Just make sure you’re comfortable and confident in your costume.

At the end of the night, if you can survive without breaking a heel or explaining what you’re dressed up as, call it a success in the Halloween books.

Featured Image Courtesy of Pinterest