| > | | | | dresses for a fraction of their normal price. Check |
| This past week, I wrote in the weekly newsletter | | | | out post summer sales at your local department |
| about how hard it is to find cool halloween costumes | | | | store like Macys. Add a simple strand of pearls, pearl |
| without going into debt. I asked my fellow | | | | earrings, a waist apron, sensible pumps and you are |
| fashionistas for advice and here are some of the | | | | ready to go. Have your significant other dress as |
| best ideas- all for under $20 bucks. | | | | Ward. Total Outfit cost $40.00- $80.00, depending on |
| For the Single Girl: | | | | whether the Beav’ needs braces. |
| Queen of the World. This is a Halloween favorite. | | | | Game Show Host and Pretty Helper Girl. This is a |
| Head to your nearest Salvation Army or Goodwill for | | | | perfect costume for couples. Head out to your |
| old prom/evening dresses, or the back of your closet | | | | nearest thrift store and find the cheesiest late 70s |
| for those forgotten bridesmaid dresses. The | | | | early 80s polyester, double knit suit ensemble for |
| puffier and gaudier, the better. Go to Claire’s | | | | men and 80s deranged bridesmaid dress for women. |
| Boutique and purchase a tiara (usually around $5 to | | | | Purchase a children’s play microphone (Target |
| $10), several diamond rings, and elbow-length, | | | | has some for super cheap prices). Buy the cheapest |
| white gloves. Throw on the rhinestone jewelry, | | | | hair spray you can find (All Net is good) and tease |
| correct that posture, and purchase Hello’ | | | | your hair like you are from the Jersey shore. Get a |
| (a.k.a the British People’) at your local | | | | piece of cardboard, cut out a star about 8 inches in |
| Barnes and Noble. Now, here is the piece de triumph: | | | | diameter and glue on gold glitter. Write the word |
| Have your male spouse/friend/partner be your | | | | Grand Prize in silver. To keep you smiling for |
| man—servant, James, for the whole | | | | the entire night, try this beauty pageant trick- put |
| night. Total outfit cost: $20.00-$80.00, depending on | | | | Vaseline underneath your upper lip. $60.00-$100 for |
| the size of your kingdom. | | | | both costumes, depending on whether or not your |
| Marathon Runner. Toast the Olympics and dress like | | | | show picks-up for another season. |
| you’re a marathon runner. Purchase a tank, | | | | With A Group of Friends: |
| shorts, and tennis shoes (the Canadian Athletic | | | | Sloth. This is the easiest and cheapest costume. |
| apparel store ROOTS has some great Olympic items | | | | Don’t wash your hair or take a shower for |
| at their online store). Since it is the end of October, | | | | two days, roll out of bed in your PJs and you are set! |
| go ahead and wear tights underneath those short | | | | This costume is particularly effective if you get six |
| shorts. Print out a race number on your computer, pin | | | | friends to go as the other six deadly sins: greed, |
| it to your tank, and you are ready to go. Total Outfit | | | | envy, wrath, gluttony, pride and lust. Total Outfit |
| cost: 0.00-$40.00, depending on the medal you are | | | | cost- $0, depending on how sinful you are willing to |
| seeking. | | | | get. |
| Christina Aguilera. All you need is a big blonde wig | | | | 1970’s Television Family. There are so many |
| (think drag queen), black eyeliner, a plaid mini-skirt, a | | | | great ones to choose from: the Partridge Family, |
| cropped top, and some thigh-high boots and you are | | | | Brady Bunch, Evan’s family from Good Times, |
| set. It is helpful to bring a little CD player and have | | | | Donny and Marie Osmond, and the Jeffersons. The |
| Genie in a Bottle playing in the background. | | | | family you chose depends on the make-up of your |
| Total Outfit cost $10.00-$50.00, depending on the | | | | group of friends, but putting together the outfits is |
| size of your record contract. | | | | almost as much fun as the actual Halloween event |
| For couples: | | | | itself. Make a date and head straight to your local |
| Ward & June Cleaver. The fifties look was very hot | | | | thrift store or your parent’s closet. Total |
| this summer, so head out to your local department | | | | Outfit Cost- $20.00 and up, depending on how |
| store or thrift shop and find fifties-inspired, a-line | | | | dy-no-mite you want to be. |