We are officially in the Midterm x Halloween season, where you study for exams by day and embrace Halloween fun by night. But with this wonderful season also comes a hefty dose of stress—hopefully mostly from your midterms! One of the biggest challenges? Choosing a costume. I’m here to help lighten that burden and share some quick, easy, and, most importantly, budget-friendly costume ideas that you can throw together on the day of your Halloween festivities.
One of my personal favorites that you can rock alone or with a group is a Tacky Tourist. Put on a big sun hat, baseball cap, Hawaiian shirt, swim trunks, flip flops, etc! Grab a film or digital camera, a lanyard, sunglasses, and some sunscreen, and be the annoying tourist you are meant to be. The beauty of this costume is that you don’t have to do it alone if you don’t want to. Drag your friend(s) into it and be a group of lost tourists arriving at the party. Don’t forget to take a tacky photo to send a postcard to your family!
With every tacky tourist, there is a Karen there to yell at them, so why not be that Karen for the night? Wear a blond wig, or even dye your hair, with some sunglasses and an entitled look; you might just be mistaken for a Karen. If you want to go that extra mile, grab your friend(s) or even significant other and have them be the service worker Karen is yelling at, or pull up with a group of Karens to scare the frat boys straight.
Now, let’s face it: most of us are chronically online and have experienced the unique joys of a Zoom meeting. One of the few perks was the comfort of being at home, which often meant dressing business on the top and partying on the bottom. This brings us to our next costume idea: channel your inner work-from-home queen or king! Pair a professional blouse or dress shirt with pajama bottoms or basketball shorts. It’s the perfect blend of comfort and style for your Halloween festivities!
And finally, one of the easiest costumes to put together: go as a Stevens Student! You have two options for this look. First, embrace the classic Stevens student vibe with a future alumni shirt, nerdy glasses, a backpack, and cargo shorts. Alternatively, you can opt for the engineering look with a safety vest or lab coat paired with a graphic tee featuring a math or science pun, along with sporty shoes. For extra fun, consider carrying around a rubber duck, wearing safety goggles, or bringing a notebook filled with Differential Equations homework you can stress over! What costume could be easier?
As we navigate the chaos of midterms and Halloween, remember that the key to a memorable costume is creativity and a sense of humor. Whether you choose to embrace the tacky tourist vibe, channel your inner Karen, flaunt your work-from-home style, or celebrate the quintessential Stevens student look, the most important part is to have fun with it! So gather your friends, unleash your imagination, and don’t stress too much about perfection — after all, the best costumes are the ones that spark laughter and create memories. Happy Halloween, and may your festivities be as fabulous as your costume choices!
