Now that midterms are over and Halloween is right around the corner, you, like many other college students, might be finding yourself scrambling for a last-minute costume idea. Or maybe you’re spread thin between too many group costumes and the price is starting to add up. 

If you’re in need of a costume that is unique but recognizable, found mostly in your closet, and most importantly, not going to break the bank — you’re in the right place.

Solo costumes

Solo costumes

Stuffed animal  

For an adorable twist on a classic, print out a Beanie Boo or Jellycat tag to add some cute factor to your black cat costume. 

Be sure to don some ears and draw on some whiskers and a pink nose to sell the look! Secure the tag with a dainty red ribbon around your neck and you’ve just upgraded from basic to charming. 

Bonus: this costume can be done with any animal, so give those tiger ears you bought for football games a second life.

Rosie the Riveter 

For an absolutely iconic look, Rosie is incredibly simple to recreate. Created in 1942 and delivering the perfect amount of vintage vibes, Rosie the Riveter will upstage the 1920s flapper and 1970s tie-dyed hippie costumes that many people might resort to on Halloween. 

Channel your best Rosie with a pair of black boots or tennis shoes, a dark wash pair of jeans, a denim button down and the pièce de résistance: her red hair scarf. The beauty is in the details, so don’t forget to roll your sleeves up halfway and tie your hair in a chic low bun. 

As Rosie the Riveter, you won’t have to think of a photo pose all night— so be sure to strike her iconic muscle-arm pose in every picture. Click here for the perfect Rosie scarf!

Olympian 

The Summer 2024 Olympic Games were some of the most memorable, and Team USA brought some absolute gems to the world stage last summer. The dress-up possibilities are endless: Simone Biles (along with the entire U.S. Women’s gymnastics squad), Ilona Maher, Stephen Nedoroscik, Sha’Carri Richardson and Coco Guaff are just a few of the most popular. 

If the U.S. Gymnastics team is calling your name, a red, white or blue bodysuit is the perfect base for icons like Simone Biles or Suni Lee. Add a pair of running shorts for a more casual look, and throw your hair up in a messy bun with a matching ribbon. 

The ladies of Team USA are usually sporting some patriotic glitter, so don’t be afraid to do some eyeshadow to complete the look. A gray muscle tee and a pair of red sweatpants will do the trick for the men. For added authenticity, use some white medical tape on your wrists à la Stephen Nedoroscik on the pommel horse.

For athletes like Coco Guaff or Ilona Maher, a cute white tennis skirt or some athletic running shorts are perfect (both of which are easily found in thrift stores). Accessorize with a plastic gold medal to seal the deal.

Group and duo costumes

“Challengers” trio

“Challengers” was one of the most popular movies of 2024 so far. Your trio can easily dress up as the three main characters of this sporty comedy-drama by following this style guide.

Tashi Duncan: Throughout the movie, Tashi has several recognizable looks. For a more casual costume, opt for her pink zip-up or a slouchy Stanford hoodie and a pair of black running shorts. Or, to honor her rich tennis wife era, an oversized blue button-down belted around the waist and a purple, catty pair of shades are perfect.

Art Donaldson: Art is the king of layering throughout the movie, often choosing a white or black long-sleeve along with a tee. Channel Stanford Art in a red backward baseball cap and a red tee shirt over a white long-sleeve. A white button down, blue wrist bands and a prop tennis racket will also commemorate Art’s rich tennis husband era alongside Tashi’s. 

Patrick Zweig: What is more quintessentially Patrick than the iconic ‘I Told Ya’ t-shirt? This one is a simple DIY: grab a gray shirt and a few no-iron letter patches from a craft store to recreate or order this dupe on Amazon for $5.  

ABBA

The karaoke possibilities are endless if ABBA is your costume of choice this year. Agnetha and Anni-Frid are the perfect duo, and you can add Benny and Björn for a group costume. 

For the girls, an oversized white tee belted with a blue or yellow scarf will deliver the perfect 1960s vibes and capture the essence of their iconic ABBA cats look. Pair it with your hair down and these $25 go-go boots from Amazon to complete the look. 

Benny and Björn can be easily added with a pair of white pants, a white short-sleeve button-down and a blue and yellow long-sleeve underneath to match the girls. These prop microphones from Amazon make the perfect addition to this costume.

Plants vs Zombies

Plants vs Zombies was one of the most popular mobile games from Generation Z’s childhood and it makes for the perfect costume for an indecisive duo or group. Can’t decide between a cute or scary costume? Plants vs Zombies lets you have both!

If cute and quirky costumes are your favorite, the plants are for you. Grab a basic neon green tee from a craft store for the base. Get crafty and use green construction paper, green paint and an empty toilet paper roll to create a little sprout for your head and fasten it to a headband. Continue to accessorize with lots of neon green and bonus points if you can find a tennis ball or two to carry around to resemble the peashooters used to take down the zombies in the game.

If you’re a fan of scary Halloween costumes, be the zombie to your duo’s plant. Channel a classic zombie costume with distressed and ripped clothing. Purple and black eyeshadow or eyeliner are the perfect tools to create some zombie-esque makeup. 

Last but not least, here few crucial reminders as you set off on your quest to win every costume contest this Halloween season: 

• Your closet (and your friend’s closet) are full of possibilities, so don’t be afraid to borrow, trade and think outside the box for your costume. 
• Thrift stores like Goodwill and Plato’s Closet usually have their own Halloween sections for half the cost of other stores. Plus, hidden gems exist throughout the entire store so get to hunting.
• Don’t underestimate the power of crafting. Cardboard, safety pins and scissors are your and your wallet’s best friend.

Happy Halloween from the ‘Eaters! 

Edited by Alyssa Royston | aroyston@themaneater.com

Copyedited by Maggie Atkinson and Natalie Kientzy | nkientzy@themaneater.com 

Edited by Emily Skidmore | eskidmore@themaneater.com