Pop Culture Journals

I was inspired by user Kawaiinai to write up a column on how to make some good costumes for cheap. I love making my own costumes, but don't always have the money to get the results I want. I figured, why not spread the wealth (since that seems to be the word of the day) and share my knowledge with you, the Buzznet public? Because we can't all afford professional-quality costumes. And why buy it when you can make it?

1. Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt

This is a good couple's costume. Works especially well if you're...well, blondes. Preppy Spencer loves button-up shirts and polos, which are easy to come by at low prices. Don't forget jeans, which are a definite staple to his wardrobe. If necessary, try to draw on (or if you're blonde, grow one) his creepy flesh colored beard. As for Heidi, less is more. The cheaper and skankier, the better. With her, it's easy to just find some short shorts (or cut pants to desired length) and a tank top with a bold print, preferably zebra. Express sells similar items with a bit of a hefty tag, but why buy one when you can just paint stripes on a cheap tank top? At the same time, you could buy stuff off of Heidi's Anchor Blue line, Heidiwood, but that might cost you a bit more. Then again, it is less than Lauren Conrad's collection. Paparazzi optional. If you do choose to have some, make sure they know where you are at all times.

2. Hayley Williams of Paramore

In what will probably be one of the most common female costumes this year (right next to Amy Winehouse and probably Britney Spears), you can be sure that a costume like Ms. Williams will turn heads. Hayley is good at being bold while being not too-high budget, unlike her more mainstream counterpart Avril Lavigne. Obviously Williams' most prominent feature is her vibrant hair, which can be red or orange depending on what you want. If you already have red or orange hair, good for you! If not, this can easily be achieved by picking up hair color sprays, which can be found at most party stores like Party City, or Spencer Gifts, and come at about $3-$4 a can. Spray all over the hair until you get your desired color. Ladies with longer hair might need several cans. In a true testament to Hayley's unique style, grab a plain white tank top and write "RIOT!" on it in black and orange. You can also write "Paramore is a band", or if you're feeling really creative, "Paramore es una banda" (which Hayley had scrawled on her shirt at the recent Latin American VMAs). Skinny jeans complement the look, preferably colored ones, which are a little harder to come by (at low prices) than typical skinny jeans. You can go to Hot Topic and buy tiger-striped jeans at $40, or you can go to Target and buy basic skinny jeans, which work just as well. Hayley would approve!

3. The Joker

Easily the most copied costume of this Halloween, and at the same time still easy to copy. Going back to what I said about Spencer Pratt above, reasonably priced button up shirts are not hard to find. Especially purple ones. Swing by Wal-Mart and pick one up for probably $14. It probably costs a lot less than Heath Ledger's did. While you're there, see if you can find pinstripe pants. They are your friend. If you can't find purple ones, you might be able to get by with basic black. A green vest and tie might be a little challenging, but maybe if you sift through your dad's closet, you might get lucky. Same with his purple blazer. What will be the easiest thing for you is his signature makeup. Stage makeup unavailable to you? See if you can find a sort of exfoliating mask, the kind spas use that turn your face white for a while (I think they peel off?). Not only does it crack after a while (very Joker-like), but it's good for your skin! The cheapest makeup you will ever find (though still decent quality) is New York Color. You can pick up cheap eyeshadow and lipstick at your local drugstores (Walgreens/CVS/etc). Eyeliner pencils for only $1! Don't put it on neatly though. Smear it. Smear it all over. Mess your hair up well and spray it with green hair color spray. Aquanet is optional, use only if desired.

4. Gabe Saporta of Cobra Starship

Gabe is a T-shirt and jeans (and hoodie and hat) kinda guy, so don't expect to pay too much to make something like this. A must for Gabe is of course his hoodie. He seems to love purple hoodies, so go find yourself a good purple hoodie. American Apparel sells hoodies similar to Gabe's for about $40, but if you look around you might be in luck. Bands like Hawthorne Heights, Boys Like Girls, and, yes, Cobra Starship, have been cashing in on the purple hoodie trend lately. While BLG's and HH's are harder to come by (sold at shows only), you can get an actual purple Cobra "G.A.B.E." hoodie from the Fueled By Ramen webstore for slightly less than American Apparel (the Cobra hoodies are $35, a little more reasonable). Hats are recommended, and he tends to alternate between hip-hop style baseball caps and classy fedoras. I'm sure your dad might have a baseball cap lying around somewhere. Underneath that jacket it's recommended that you wear a fitted T-shirt with a witty saying on it, in true Gabe style (but nothing including the words: "penguin", "clowns", "ducks", or most of anything you can find at Hot Topic...remember: WWGS. What Would Gabe Say?). Jeans are preferably skinny, and can be found at reasonable prices at stores like Target (for guys and girls, I'm sure). Hipster shades optional, but recommended. And don't forget your Justin Timberlake necklace. :)

5. Scene Queen

It's possible to be a scene queen without having to go with permanent hair color or bleach. Remember, color hair spray is your friend. If you want to rock the pink hair like Audrey, or Raquel's cool blue, a color spray is at your disposal somewhere (for this I recommend Beyond the Zone Color Bombz, which come for less than $5 a can at Sally Beauty Supply stores. They come in a wide array of colors and shades. Just be careful spraying this stuff, it gets everywhere). If desired, you may tease your hair in the classic scene style, with the bangs-over-the-eye style, or switch it up with blunt bangs. You may leave your hair natural a la Hanna Beth, as well. Scene queens are always over-the-top, so start off with a bold tank top or T-shirt. Prints work, especially polka dots, stripes, lightning bolts, and the like. Jewelry is definitely a must. Simple chains with big charms work (stores like JCPenney and Claire's normally have a wide selection of inexpensive scene-friendly jewelry), but strings of pearls are almost a requirement. If you're cheap like me, find a costume supply store and get a cheap plastic pearl necklace. I got one at Target for $2 and wore it to homecoming that year! For the bottom garment, you can choose to go the skinny jeans route, or you can switch it up with leggings and miniskirts. Flats are good, but you can wear heels if you want. Recommended (and this goes for anything you're wearing) colors are anything neon, black, gold, silver, or animal print (especially leopard or zebra). Also optional (but still recommended) is a tiara. Tiaras are pretty easy to come by, and you can pick one up in the toy aisle of your local store (Target, Wal-Mart, Toys R Us even). Be as bold as possible--without spending too much. It is possible! I promise you!

Katy Perry Have you ever kissed a girl? Doesn't matter. You can still be the luscious Katy Perry for Halloween this year. The keyword here is vintage. Drop by some good thrift stores and see what you can find. You might get lucky! I once found a really cute Old Navy shirt at a thrift store, unfortunately it was too big for me...but I digress. Katy's hair can be achieved by use of a wig (a pinup girl-style wig will work) or, again, spray dye, and pinning it up Katy style. If you want you can get a cat as an accessory a la her infamous video for "I Kissed a Girl". But preferably use a toy cat...you know, for reasons. Let me know what you want me to put here--I'm sure I have a way!

xoxo Alex