A quick trip to the standard costume shop shows that the average costume costs between $40 and $80. The Daily Orange staff thinks that’s a little steep. There’s no need to spend that much on a one-time wear when there are plenty of costumes hanging in your closet (or folded in your underwear drawer). These costumes only use items the average person may have around the house or can buy cheaply.

Campaign costumes:

Maybe in 20 years you’ll be running for president. In the meantime, however, you can dress like your favorite politico or American emblem.

Sarah Palin: Combine a pencil skirt, blouse and blazer for the professional look. Take a claw clip and twist your hair into a snazzy updo. Borrow an Alaskan accent and smile pretty for the cameras.

Joe Biden: Say ‘malarkey.’ Wear a suit and an American flag pin.

Barack Obama: Use six-syllable words and talk about change. Wear a suit and an American flag pin.

John McCain: Smile uncomfortably (after all, you are a maverick). Wear a suit and an American flag pin.

Uncle Sam: Use cotton balls to create a beard and pick up the hat at a costume shop. Then wear red, white and blue from head to toe.

Undecided Voter: On one half of your body wear blue, on the other side wear red. Write phrases (universal healthcare, tax cuts, you betcha) on masking tape and place strips on the appropriate side of your body.

Blockbusters:

The Joker/Bruce Wayne/Harvey Dent: It might be overdone this year, but there’s no better time to imitate the second top-grossing film in history. But don’t limit yourself to the Joker. It is easy to become the Joker, all you need is white face paint, red lipstick, some charcoal for the eyes, an old green vest and some corduroy pants. Add a purple button-down and some old Chuck Taylor’s and you’re set. But, all you need is a pressed suit and slicked back hair for Bruce Wayne. Even better, slick back one side of your hair and spike the other, get a makeup kit, and mess up one side of your face and voila – Two-Face.

Indiana Jones: It’s simple and easy: leather jacket, high-waist khakis, a brown belt and a hat. If you happen to have a whip or rope of some sort, even better. Start growing out your facial hair now, boys, and you should master the look.

Rambo: This one is fun for guys and gals. This year’s ‘Rambo’ re-inspired the headband look for all age groups. Find a scarf or even a cloth belt, some baggy or cargo pants and a wife beater. Rub some mud on your face, arms, and even chest if you dare, and you’ve got the hardcore look Stallone trademarked in the 80’s.

For the ladies:

There are more ways than animal ears and lingerie to turn up the heat on a Halloween costume. Sure, you probably have those things lying around, but if every girl on campus is in teddy and bunny ears, you won’t turn many heads. Try these:

Construction Worker

Slutty: Throw on jean shorts, a white tank top and Tims (OK fine, Uggs). Buy one of those plastic hard hats at a party store and wear a wide belt.

Sluttier: Throw a screwdriver in your pocket and make lots of bad puns.

Paris Hilton Slutty: Keep the jean shorts and boots, but buy yourself some caution tape and lose the shirt.

Baby Doll

Slutty: Wear a white sundress or baby doll tunic over colorful long or puffy sleeves. Add tights and ballet slippers, and use a ribbon as a headband. Use pink lipstick as rouge in neat circles on your cheeks, brown eyeliner for freckles, fake eyelashes (or a ton of mascara), and paint-on lipstick for perfect doll lips. Blink a lot.

Sluttier: Wear a sexy nightgown in place of the dress/tunic. Lose the puffy/long-sleeved shirt.

Britney Spears Slutty: Just wear a baby doll top and ‘bloomers’ (aka underwear). Find excuses to bend over.

Typical College Kid

Want a quick and easy costume, but you may be a bit too hairy to pull off the sexy construction worker? Here are some male-friendly ideas.

Toga: It doesn’t get more college than the classic toga. Just grab a bed sheet (preferably clean ones) and wrap it around your body Caesar-style. But be careful: to avoid awkward dance floor moments or seeing your costume blow down Comstock Avenue, follow these instructions to keep your treats in check.

Think before you wrap. No matter how funny it might be to go commando underneath your toga, keep in mind that we are in Syracuse, N.Y. and you may be a bit cold. Also, the idea is to look ancient Roman, not street flasher chic.

Systematically wrap either side of the sheet around your body, making it tight enough to stay up, but loose enough so that you can still walk comfortably. Pin loose ends.

Gender Bender: If the wrapping/rewrapping method is too difficult, a much easier idea is dressing up as the opposite sex. Borrow clothes from the girls across the hall and go to town. Straighten your hair, stuff a bra, wear make-up – just have fun.

Athlete: Wear a basketball/football jersey and appropriate bottoms. Carry around whatever ball or stick coincides with your sport. Hair dye optional.

Published on October 29, 2008 at 12:00 pm