Your Affordable Guide to Halloweekend 2025: Cool Girl Costumes Without Breaking the Bank

Because confidence is the best accessory—and it’s free.

BY Sophie LeBlanc ★ October 27th 2025

Photo credit: Isabella Weisse

As the days shorten and pumpkin spice hits the shelves, college girls everywhere are loading up their carts—but this year, it’s time to save your wallet and your sanity. Halloweekend falls on a Friday, meaning three nights of costumes and chaos. But before you drop half your meal plan on Shein, here’s your guide to killer looks that are cute, clever, and actually affordable.

Trends That’ll Take Over (Without Taking All Your Money)

Bugs: Ladybugs, bumblebees and butterflies are all the buzz (pun intended). Skip the overpriced set—grab black clothes you already own and DIY wings with cardboard and glitter.

Glinda and Elphaba: With Wicked Part 2 hitting theaters, this duo is destined to be everywhere. One pink dress, one green shirt and some eyeliner wings—and you’re Broadway ready.

Victoria’s Secret Angel: Angel wings are easy to thrift or borrow, and you can turn any white slip dress into a runway moment. Bonus: blow-dry your hair upside down for that ‘90s bounce.

Solo Costumes That Slay on a Budget

Mime: Black pants, striped top and smudged eyeliner—minimal effort, major payoff.

Saltburn: Gold wings + white tank = chaotic glam. If you know, you know.

Kill Bill: Yellow workout set and a slick ponytail give instant Uma Thurman energy.

Dalmatian: White tee, black dots (Sharpie or felt cutouts) and puppy ears—cute, easy and TikTok-worthy.

Dynamic Duos & Group Costumes (a.k.a. Cost Per Person = Cheap)

Espresso & Dirty Martini: All black and olive green dresses, DIY labels and martini glass props made from dollar-store cups.

Party Animals: Animal ears + sequins + attitude. Half the fun is mixing random pieces you already own.

Winx Fairies: Color-coded fits, shimmery makeup and glitter wings. The more mismatched, the better.

Spice Girls: You already have something in your closet that screams Posh or Sporty. Just lean in.

The Real Lesson? You don’t need to spend to stand out.

When the 31st Rolls Around:

At the end of the day, Halloweekend isn’t about who ordered their costume first—it’s about who wears it with confidence. The best looks are often the ones pulled together from what’s already in your drawer or borrowed from a friend’s closet.

So, skip the shipping fees, grab your hot glue gun and make your own moment. You don’t need a $50 mini dress to own the night—you just need a good attitude and maybe a little glitter.

Edited by: Eliza Brown