Boston University students have been saving money in creative ways this Halloween

By Chloe Adams

October 31, 2023

Halloween comes around once a year, but Lola Zummo knows how to make it last: The Boston University junior has three different costumes lined up to wear for the holiday.

Zummo has been prepping one of her costumes — the Queen of Hearts — not by buying a pre-packaged outfit from Spirit Halloween, but by gluing on playing cards to a corset that pairs with an old skirt.

However, Zummo is not the only one getting creative this October: BU students have been trying to save money on Halloween this year by crafting their own costumes with pieces they already had, traded or thrifted. 

“Even within my sorority group chat, we’ll ask if someone has this or that already in their closet… We like to piece things together from other things that someone else has because nobody wants to buy anything new,” said the political science major.

Instead of wearing a Halloween costume made from one-and-done clothing items, Zummo said she looks for pieces she can wear again.

“The glasses I’ll be wearing for one of my costumes — I’m keeping them — I know I’ll wear them again,” she said.

Tyra Mairura, a BU freshman business major, said breaking the bank for a one-time occasion is not worth it, and costume shopping is not her top priority as a busy college student.

“Goodwill has a whole Halloween section which is super nice when you need to throw something together in a pinch,” said Mairura. “My friends and I are last minute people, so we’ll definitely be using pieces we already have, and I know they already went thrifting to see if they could find cheap things for their costumes.”

Photo by Chloe Adams

Americans are expected to spend $12.2 billion on Halloween this year — a $1.6 billion increase compared to last year’s spending, according to data from the National Retail Federation, the world’s largest retail trade association.

However, Olivia Krone, a BU junior human physiology major, said good costumes do not have to be expensive ones.

Krone said she seeks inspiration from Pinterest, and in order to make her visions come to life, she creates personalized ensembles out of clothing items she thrifted or already had in her closet.

“A lot of these companies have one-use costumes and then you throw it away… If you can get your costume at a thrift store, it’s so much better to reuse,” she said.

However, while social media helps Krone gather costume ideas, she said it also produces pressure.

“It’s fun to see photos online, but I feel like I also have to step up my game which can be very hard,” she said.

When Lilly Saunders dressed up in a black swan outfit last year, all it took was some fabric glue, rhinestones, feathers and metallic glitter.

“It’s good to see people channeling their creativity and putting that talent to good use… No one really wants to go into a party where there’s 10 of the same character,” said Saunders, a BU junior biology major. “A lot of it is putting together different pieces to resemble a character, rather than committing to buying a full costume.”

Whether or not a costume costs $10 or $100, Saunders said people should wear what makes them feel good — even if that means opting for a generic look this Halloween. 

“While I do appreciate seeing people get creative, there can be so much pressure for costumes to look totally different from one another,” said Saunders. “Halloween goes by so fast, so it’s best to make the most of it by just letting yourself have fun.”