# Suggest a good cheap Halloween costume **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 12, 2009, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-good-cheap-halloween-costume/513563 "2009-10-12T18:37:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2009, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-good-cheap-halloween-costume/513563/1 "2009-10-12T18:37:28Z")
I wasn’t planning on needing one, but the boyfriend’s TV show has a live taping with a costume contest and I thought maybe I’d make one. They’re supposed to be cheap costumes (around ten bucks, I think) and creative. So of course while I would normally have a million ideas I can’t think of one. Suggestions? ETA - Oh, and I need it for Saturday! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2009, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-good-cheap-halloween-costume/513563/2 "2009-10-12T19:28:09Z")
On that quick of notice, you gotta go with something in your closet. **Tourist -** Garish tropical shirt, shorts, socks (preferably black) pulled up to your knees \*with \*sandals on, sun hat, shades, camera around your neck. Maybe zinc-oxide on your nose. **Your Mom -** Wear mom jeans, a bad sweater, big glasses, constantly ask the single people when they’re going to find someone, ask all the married people when they’re finally going to give you some grandkids, constantly judge everyone around you, etc. ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2009, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-good-cheap-halloween-costume/513563/3 "2009-10-12T19:30:48Z")
I like the idea of a death panalist from the other Halloween thread- get a big cape and a sicle, then pin a bunch of pro Obama stuff on it. Walk around with a clip board and decide who lives or dies. ---
**Author:** ![myskepticsight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cc9497/32.png) [@myskepticsight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/myskepticsight)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2009, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-good-cheap-halloween-costume/513563/4 "2009-10-12T19:31:05Z")
This website is pretty crappily made but it had a lot of home made costume ideas with pics. I found my possible idea on the site because I am broke this year but still would like to go Halloween parties. > **[Coolest Ever DIY Homemade Costumes for Kids, Adults & Pets in 2023](https://www.coolest-homemade-costumes.com/)** > > Find the coolest homemade costumes for Halloween 2023! Thousands of original DIY homemade costume ideas to spark your imagination & inspiration. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2009, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-good-cheap-halloween-costume/513563/5 "2009-10-12T19:37:29Z")
Mime should be cheap and easy. Maybe add fangs and a bit of fake blood for scariness. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2009, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-good-cheap-halloween-costume/513563/6 "2009-10-12T19:43:50Z")
I had considered dressing as my boyfriend, who is one of the two stars of the show. I saw a cute pattern for a crocheted fake mustache, and of course, you know, his clothes are at my house. Albeit not in my size. I don’t know if it would be obvious enough, though. And not sure if I can crochet a goatee that doesn’t look stupid. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2009, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-good-cheap-halloween-costume/513563/7 "2009-10-12T20:35:44Z")
Cheap? Get a huge piece of butcher paper, wrap it around yourself a few times, cut holes for your face and arms; instant [Bill](http://l.yimg.com/a/p/i/bcst/yp/ygmovies/2284/74103927.jpg). ETA: If you do this, I want pictures. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2009, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-good-cheap-halloween-costume/513563/8 "2009-10-12T20:40:19Z")
Dead are always easy. (They can’t run away.) Some face creams and any old clothes make for a costume. ---
**Author:** ![supergoose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@supergoose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/supergoose)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2009, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-good-cheap-halloween-costume/513563/9 "2009-10-12T21:53:35Z")
Pin a sheet strategically and be Greek? Might require a bit of internet research. You could get away with wrapping a sheet around you under the armpits (lengthwise) and then pinning the sheet once on one shoulder (the side of the body that is wrapped) and several times spaced out (with broaches and stuff, maybe) down the other arm (the side with the two edges of the sheet), then tying a string or belt or something around the waist so that the sheet droops over it. That was probably confusing, sorry. ---
**Author:** ![Icerigger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icerigger/32/432_2.png) [@Icerigger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icerigger)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2009, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-good-cheap-halloween-costume/513563/10 "2009-10-12T22:20:04Z")
When I was a kid and if you could think of nothing else it was always a hobo, all you need is old ratty old clothes and a stick with a bandanna for a bag hanging from it. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2009, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-good-cheap-halloween-costume/513563/11 "2009-10-12T22:34:39Z")
HIe thee to the Salvation ARmy/Thrift shop near you and see what costumes or other clothing apparel inspires you. I went as Where’s Waldo last year with a $2 red and white striped shirt and a $4 red and white striped scarf. I knit myself a red and white cap. Everyone got it, especially the kids. ---
**Author:** ![Reepicheep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ed655f/32.png) [@Reepicheep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reepicheep)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2009, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-good-cheap-halloween-costume/513563/12 "2009-10-12T23:40:09Z")
1 clear plastic garbage bag, lots of small balloons. Write a “M” on the small balloons with magic marker. Cut out and leg holes in the garbage bag & get in, then fill it with the small balloons, staple the bag shut at the very top, (so you can restaple after you have used the facilities). You are a bag of M&Ms. ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2009, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-good-cheap-halloween-costume/513563/13 "2009-10-13T00:01:45Z")
> [@Reepicheep](#): > > 1 clear plastic garbage bag, lots of small balloons. Write a “M” on the small balloons with magic marker. Cut out and leg holes in the garbage bag & get in, then fill it with the small balloons, staple the bag shut at the very top, (so you can restaple after you have used the facilities). You are a bag of M&Ms. In a similar vein, white sheet, white balloons. Cut hole in middle sheet for head hole. Inflate white balloons, attach to sheet (stapling works) to cover the sheet. Cover self with sheet covered with balloons. Make a cap out of one balloon, put on head. Go as “foam”. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2009, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-good-cheap-halloween-costume/513563/14 "2009-10-13T01:03:27Z")
Go as a naked person. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2009, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-good-cheap-halloween-costume/513563/15 "2009-10-13T01:11:48Z")
Take a sheet and cut it full of random holes – many more than you need for eyeholes. wear it as if you’re a ghost. PRESTO! – You’re Charlie Brown. See how many rocks you get. (or you could carry a Goodie Bag full of Rocks, for he benefit of those who can’t figure it out) ---
**Author:** ![racer72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/racer72/32/3075_2.png) [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2009, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-good-cheap-halloween-costume/513563/16 "2009-10-13T01:45:28Z")
Tire tracks head to toes. Road kill. ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2009, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-good-cheap-halloween-costume/513563/17 "2009-10-13T01:55:42Z")
I did this one once: **Invisible Man** - pick up a roll or two of gauze, a pair of dark glasses with side shields, and a pair of gloves. Wrap your head in gauze, put on the glasses and gloves, and, presto! There you are. ---
**Author:** ![Uncle\_Brother\_Walker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f08c70/32.png) [@Uncle\_Brother\_Walker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncle_Brother_Walker)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2009, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-good-cheap-halloween-costume/513563/18 "2009-10-13T03:11:43Z")
Ditto Salvation Army. Cheap stuff easy. The best idea I came up with one year, as a co-worker was panicking about her daughter needing a rasta-costume but didn’t want to buy an expensive wig. I suggested brown and black shoe polish, and a new mop head. Use the black to dye the mop head and use the brown to color your face. (No, not Al Jolson / Ted Danson blackface), but YMMV as how close to the racist line based on your own skin tone. (The kid was white as a sheet, btw.) ---
**Author:** ![Kyla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2009, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-good-cheap-halloween-costume/513563/19 "2009-10-13T04:43:41Z")
> [@DiosaBellissima](#): > > I like the idea of a death panalist from the other Halloween thread- get a big cape and a sicle, then pin a bunch of pro Obama stuff on it. Walk around with a clip board and decide who lives or dies. This is my idea! I’m not trying to tell you not to do it or anything, it’s just that I always have a horrible time thinking up costumes and I am so, so gleeful that I actually came up with a good idea, and with enough time to pull it off. I’m ridiculously proud of myself, and it’s making me immodest. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2009, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-good-cheap-halloween-costume/513563/20 "2009-10-13T12:43:17Z")
My daughter suggested a couples’ costume - he in a tan sweatsuit, she in purple - peanut butter and jelly. In a similar but more disgusting vein - a brown sweatsuit with random pieces of corn glued on… [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-good-cheap-halloween-costume/513563.md?page=2)