I love Halloween! This is one of those fabulous holidays unique to America that I find both fascinating and wildly entertaining. But if you’re love most Americans these days your looking for a way to congratulate in style except on a budget!

Don’t give up on having a fabulous costume for this year’s Halloween bashes. You can create great costumes for reasonable prices by taking a little time to DIY (do it yourself!). First start by scouring through any costumes or old garment you may already have that could make a great costume. Pull out anything that can be re-used or easily added to in order to morph into something new. For instance if you were a black cat last year you could easily purchase a few cheap black long sleeve t-shirts from a local second-hand shop cut off the armament stuff them with filling sew them to your current kitty costume (losing the tail of course!) and apply a red felt diamond to your tummy. Now you’ve quickly
easily and inexpensively taken last year’s cat to this year’s black widow. Or transform last year’s vampire costume into this year’s scary witch. Take last year’s bride and make her this year’s corpse bride with just a little make-up and some fabric slashing!

Not very handy?

Not to worry!

Do a little research on the internet for times costumes print out what you’d like to create then head down to the local second-hand store to create a match. Period pieces and scary classics like hippies 50’s poodle skirts dead brides pirates and witches can be quick and easy to create on your own! No cutting sewing or crafting required. You can also custom
tailor these easy creations to your own style and taste. Second-hand stores are almost often my avenue of choice; I’ve turned prom dresses into Cinderella gowns green polyester bath robes into fairy garb and old plaid skirts into Catholic academy girl uniforms (ala Mary Catherine Gallagher style – Superstar!). Last year I was low on time and inspiration so I simply Googled a local vintage store in my area found an amazing Betty Grable inspired 40’s swimsuit paired it with some patent pumps I already had – and created a fabulous fun and sexy costume for less than fifty dollars (and no handiness required)!

Other options can include pre-made costumes at department store。 stores like TJ Maxx Target or Ross like well as searching for handmade costumes by individual sellers through sites like Etsy.com. The possibilities are endless and they can also be very affordable!

Don’t miss out on all the great treats of Halloween; start now and seem for ways to create your very own one-of-a-kind look for this season’s parties!

–Jill Brown

Jill Brown is a Los Angeles California-based life tutor and writer. She earned her Bachelors in Humanities and Sociology from USU and is a member of the National Association for Conflict Resolution and the Ladies Who Launch Network. She is the founder of “The Duchess Guide” a website dedicated to helping women get their most fabulous and unique selves. She is an avid outdoor enthusiast traveler and health nut. When she isn’t writing or working on Duchess Jill loves spending all her free time with her Labrador – Betty. For more on The Duchess Guide or Jill visit: www.theduchessguide.com

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