Search for Costume Ideas

• Vampire costumes can be perfect for Halloween parties or events.halloween vampire image by Lev Dolgatshjov from Fotolia.com
  
  Halloween costumes for teenagers differ depending on the individual and the venue. A school function might have particular dress codes, trick-or-treating might mean wearing something warmer, and a Halloween party might be the best time to wear the most creative costume available. Traditional costumes include vampires, witches, ghosts and superheroes, each of which can be made cheaply.
  
  

Select a Costume

• Scary clown costumes can be made with mis-matching clothing and a little makeup.scary portrait image by Alex Motrenko from Fotolia.com
  
  Narrow down your costume possibilities to specific genres that are appropriate for the occasion. For a teenage girl, dressing as a famous actress or singer can be cheap and fun. Any famous person will do, and the more outrageous they are in real life the better the costume will be. For example, dress as Lady Gaga or Martha Stewart. For a teenage boy, monsters, famous people and action heroes are places to start. Traditional costumes like mummies can sometimes be a little cliche, but this can be remedied by adding a twist (vampire-President Nixon, zombie-football player and so on).
  
  

Occam's Razor Approach to Creation

• Creatively wearing a mask can take your costume to a new level.skeleton costume image by Charlie Rosenberg from Fotolia.com
  
  Brainstorm how to bring your vision to life. Though generally more accurate, store-bought costumes can be quite expensive. Instead of buying it, think of the simplest way you can create the costume using materials you already own or materials you can find cheap. If you choose to be a robot, spray paint some boxes silver and tape them to your body. If you decide to be a beat poet, dress in all black, use pale makeup on your face, and purchase a cheap beret. Start with the easiest part of the costume and work your way up.
  
  

Add Finishing Touches

• After you have finished your costume, try it on and wear it for a few friends or family members. You may be surprised by their input and will be able to adjust as needed. You may need to buy some accessories, but those extra finishing touches can make or break a good costume. So get that tiara and matching lasso for your Wonder Woman costume, get some fake blood for your zombie-pirate costume, and don't forget the makeup. If your costume is done well, people will not have to guess what your costume actually is.