Boo on a Budget: The Best Inexpensive Halloween Costumes

With Halloween right around the corner, everyone is looking for a spook-tacular costume. Unfortunately, many of these outfits come with a heavy price… Literally. There’s no need to worry, however, because in this article, I have created a list of the best cheap Halloween costumes.

1. M&M

All you need to be an M&M is a top and bottom that are the same color (they don’t have to be exactly the same) and an M&M logo. To make the logo, you can either print and cut out the white “m”, or you could sketch it out on a piece of paper and then cut that out. Once you have the logo, tape it on to your shirt, and voilá! Just “dress in one color and slap the M&M logo on your shirt!” my friend and classmate, Sivanandini Veni Senthilkumar, exclaimed, explaining to me how to assemble the costume. Ideally, the color of your outfit would be bright, like blue, yellow, orange, green, or red, but it isn’t needed. I suggest doing this as a group costume.  This idea is perfect because you likely won’t need to buy anything, and if you do, it will be minimal. 

Showcase of the different M&M color varieties. Photo source: PickPik

2. Mad Scientist

Though this one is classic, it is certainly not boring. A mad scientist is the perfect ensemble for Halloween, and everyone will know what you are trying to be. Start with a pair of pants. They can be black, brown, denim, etc. Then, find a white lab coat to wear on top. There are many options from Walmart for ten dollars or less. Alternatively, you could purchase one from Amazon for under sixteen dollars. You could wear a shirt under the lab coat and keep it unbuttoned, or button it all the way up, depending on your preference. The last thing to do is make your hair as messy as possible and act a little crazy. If you would like to add accessories, I would suggest goggles, gloves, or boots, but those are unnecessary. 

3. Murder Victim

If you are looking for a gorier costume, this one is for you. You can wear any outfit that you like, as a murder victim in a horror movie is typically in normal clothes. I would recommend using old clothes that you don’t care about, as this one gets messy. To get the gruesome look, use some form of fake blood and put it anywhere on your body, like your shirt, pants, etc. You can buy fake blood from Walgreens, Dollar General, Walmart, Amazon, or Target, all under six dollars. An alternative option would be to use Kool-Aid, though that can be quite sticky. “Take a white shirt and dump Kool-Aid all over it,” said Victoria Cowen, a freshman at Central, when I asked her for ideas.

4. Subway Surfers Character

This idea is perfect for people with a budget because you likely have a lot of the clothes in your closet already. Now, this is only for the female character, Tricky, as the other characters do not work on a budget. Put on a pair of jeans (preferably baggy jeans), a tight white top, a red beanie, and fake glasses. You can get the top from Walmart, Old Navy, or H&M for under ten dollars. Amazon also has some options, though they are a bit more expensive. A good place to buy the red beanie and the fake glasses is Walmart. In my opinion, the glasses aren’t essential to the outfit, so you can definitely have the costume without them if you don’t want to spend the money. For the spray paint can, I would design a logo on a piece of paper and tape it to a waterbottle, as it seems a waste to buy an actual one if you won’t use it. If you want to do a different outfit, but the other characters cost too much, I would suggest wearing streetwear (baggy jeans, tank tops, beanies, graphic tees, etc.) and using the spray paint can idea. You may not be perfectly accurate to the game, but you will have the same vibe.

Screenshot of Tricky, a Subway Surfers character, taken by Meera Chekuri

5. Vampire

Last, but certainly not least, we have a vampire costume. Start with black pants and a white or black top. You likely have these items in your closet already, but if not, you can buy these at many locations for a reasonable price. Then, you will need a vampire cloak and teeth. There are multiple budget-friendly options for these on Amazon, Walmart, and there are a few options at Spirit Halloween. The teeth aren’t necessary but they add to the look. This is a simple idea, with few elements, so it is good for a last minute plan.

There are many more characters that you could dress up as this Halloween, but this list should help you get started on your search, if not give you the idea you want. A budget may seem limiting, but with a little creativity, you can come up with endless solutions. Have a happy Halloween!