Halloween is a time for fun, tricks, and treats, but it can also be a time to unleash your creativity. Nowadays, many people are turning their backs on store-bought ensembles and creating DIY Halloween costumes instead. Throughout popular culture, there have also been a range of iconic femmes who have crafted their own kickass costumes. One of the most memorable has to be Selina Kyle (aka Catwoman) in Batman Returns when she transforms into her alter ego and customizes a catsuit out of a PVC raincoat.
Now, you don't need to be Selina Kyle, a fashion design student, or have your own YouTube craft tutorial channel to make your own outfit. Honestly, it's probably easier to stay in and rustle something up at home than it is to go shopping for the perfect store-bought costume that fits well and doesn't cost your whole weekly budget. If you're running out of time, there are even some easy awesome DIY costume ideas out there for perpetual procrastinators.
Even if your costume doesn't turn out exactly as you planned, people will still appreciate the effort you put into creating it. If you're not already sold on the idea, here are seven reasons why it's great to DIY.
1. It’s A Chance To Show Off Your Personality
Are you fed up with dragging out the same tired witch costume you've worn the past three years? Maybe it's time to retire that old store-bought ensemble and make a creative one that lets your personality shine through. Show the world how much you used to love My Little Pony as a kid or that you adore Jane Austin novels. You could even follow in New Girl Jess's footsteps and merge together a couple of your idols into one awesome costume, like her Joey Ramona Quimby ensemble. It's a great way to kickstart the conversation at a Halloween party.
2. You Can Let Your Crafting Skills Shine
If you're a super seamstress who loves customizing and creating your own clothes, then use Halloween as an excuse to create something totally incredible that will create a buzz about you and your designs. If you're an aspiring designer, you could even ask your friends to take pictures of your outfit and start a blog or an online portfolio of your work. This may be the perfect chance to turn your hobby into your dream job.
And if you don't have any crafting skills? Well, it's the perfect excuse to show people your non-crafty originality in the form of a haphazardly put-together but no less unique ensemble.
3. You Can Also Get Rid Of Your Pent Up Creative Energy
Being a creative is hard work, especially if you need to support yourself. There are bills, taxes, and responsibilities that all get in the way of taking time out to work on your projects. You need your day job to keep the roof over your head and the Chipotle in your stomach, but that doesn't mean you should ignore your creative endeavors altogether.
Use this opportunity to pour your heart and soul into your Halloween costume and empty your creative tank. You'll feel a lot better for giving yourself a medium in which to express yourself and all that energy will make your costume totally epic.
4. It's Cheap
Modern life is expensive. I don't know about your area, but in certain places in the UK — namely London — rent prices seem to keep on rising. A young woman in England's capital was even shocked to discover that a "room" for rent was actually a £500 per month cupboard under the stairs. With accommodation options akin to Harry Potter's "bedroom" at the Dursley's house and a coffee shop on every corner, it's tricky to set money aside for important stuff, let alone a new Halloween costume.
You may have to make your Halloween costume this year due to being on a budget, but that doesn't mean your costume can't be fabulous. You can put together an outfit with pieces you already have or DIY a Halloween costume for $10 or less.
5. There's No Need To Panic Buy
Creating a Halloween costume from scratch does entail a bit of planning. Chances are if you're organized, you'll have gathered together all of your materials and possibly even have made your costume a week or two before All Hallow's Eve. On the other hand, you might be a last minute kind of gal.
Even though you may need to pull an all-nighter to get your costume finished on time, at least the end product has more of a chance to be a costume of your choosing and not an outfit you hate. As Halloween approaches, the stores will become sparser and the chances of finding your perfect costume are likely to get slimmer. Don't take the chance of being forced to wear an ill-fitting, terrible ensemble that you'll likely feel uncomfortable in. Just craft your own.
6. You’ll Like Every Aspect Of Your Costume
Have you ever bought a Halloween costume only to find there were bits of it that you loved and others that you loathed? Maybe you bought a hardcore PVC Catwoman costume only to find there were cutesy bows on the cat ear headband. Or perhaps you invested in a pumpkin suit that looks amazing but feels awful. When you create your own costume, you'll hopefully love every part of it because you are the designer. Say goodbye to unnecessary frills or zippers in the wrong place.
7. You Will Look Totally Unique
When you make your Halloween costume, you can quit worrying about someone being dressed in the same outfit as you. That feeling of dread in the pit of your stomach when you are about to walk into a costume party is the worst. So why not eliminate it altogether? You may not be the only person dressed up as Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz, but you're guaranteed to look totally one of a kind nonetheless.
So get your craft on this Halloween and create an outfit as unique as you are.
Want more Halloween fun? Check out the video below, and be sure to subscribe to Bustle’s YouTube page for more inspo!
Images: rlcbeauty101/YouTube
