It’s hard to say what’s scarier this Halloween: the impending essay deadlines or the inevitable costume crash out. Fear not: the Varsity Fashion writers are here to suggest some perfect last-minute, tried-and-tested costume ideas, ready for any Halloween bop, house party, or club night.
Rachel, Fashion editor
“This costume is customisable to your own cereal preferences”
The only remotely effective last-minute costume I ever pulled off was my Rice Crispies costume for my first Freshers’ bop. I have to recommend: no one can accuse you of not having a sufficiently distinctive costume, and you can still wear a cute outfit underneath (level it up by coordinating with the packaging’s colours). Also, it of course goes without saying that this costume is customisable to your own cereal preferences. All you have to do is cut out the front and back of the cereal box and thread them together with two strings that will go over your shoulders (or just make a loop to hang the front round your neck – it depends whether you want to keep the nutritional information).
Scarlett, Fashion editor
This summer, polka dots were everywhere. Instead of letting your favourite polka dot pieces go into hibernation for the winter, why not go as a dalmatian for Halloween? Pair a fun polka dot top with a cute black skirt and boots, and complete the look with some spotty makeup and a headband – super easy! An added bonus of this one is that it could make for a fun group costume (seeing as there are famously 101), or a fun duo costume with someone dressing as Cruella de Vil in a fur coat, black dress, and iconic red lip.
Minnie, Fashion writer
Since the only news we seem to hear at the moment is bad news, why not take that a little more literally this year, and dress as exactly that? Not only is this costume fun and unique, it also requires the least amount of pre-bought items possible – all you need is a pile of old newspapers. Over a plain black top and shorts, glue together sheets of newspapers and wrap them around you, sealing with some sturdy masking tape. Once your top and shorts are completely covered and secure, tie a cute belt around your waist to add some shape, and there you have it: bad news! To elevate the costume even more, add some sunglasses and red marker scrawled across the newspapers for an extra spooky element.
Isabeau, Fashion writer
“What’s more on the nose for Halloween than taking inspiration from a creepy crawly?”
What’s more on the nose for Halloween than taking inspiration from a creepy crawly? If you’re in a pinch for a Halloween costume this year, don’t fret: as long as you have pyjamas, I have you covered. A bedbug costume is a great opportunity to blend both comfort and cuteness: all you need is your favorite pair of PJs and some antennae. If you’re really in a bind, the antennas themselves are easy to DIY – just grab an alice band, some black pipe cleaners, and a hot glue gun and you’re good to go. This costume is perfect if you or your friends have a pair of fairy wings lying around from Halloweens past and are looking for something new to do. If you want to make it more interesting, you could throw on a sleep mask, or even do some fun bug makeup to finish the look.
Imogen, Fashion writer
Need an excuse to raid your wardrobe and embrace a little chaos? Luckily, more is more when it comes to fortune-teller chic. Layer clashing prints, an old scarf, and as many rings as you can get your hands on, then finish with smudged eyeliner and dark lipstick. The beauty of this look is that there are no real rules: an old top tied around your waist, a scarf wrapped around your head, or chunky jewellery worn in unexpected places all add to the slightly crazed and eccentric mystique. After all, nobody’s going to question your styling choices when you’re busy predicting their future.
