“Sassy” doesn’t have to mean “skanky” and “Halloween costume” doesn’t have to mean, “bearing it all”. If you want to bear it all for the couple nights we are blessed with Halloween, go for it. There is a certain beauty in the confidence to have the bear minimum on your body in public. But if that’s not your scene, don’t shy away from a costume this year! Just like anything can be made a slutty costume, anything can be perfectly classy. 

All you need to do is follow Leslie Knope’s advice, “sophisticated with a hint of slutty” when it comes to planning your Halloween costumes.

1. Breakfast at Tiffany’s: A black dress and pearls are the keys to this ensemble. Next, add your black heels and sweep up your hair in an elegant chignon. Finally, fashion a cigarette holder with a wooden dowel (or the like) from a dollar store. Want a different side of Audrey? Don a large white men’s button up over some bloomers and a bra. Accessorize with a teal eye mask and gold fringe earplugs or earrings. 

2. Rosie The River: This is such a great last minuet costume because the pieces are easy to find! Plus feminism is a trending topic right now, Rosie would love the movement that’s happening right now. All you need is a red bandana and a blue collared shirt. The rest is up to you! Tease the crown of your hair and pin it down in a bun for that retro vibe. On the bottom you can go comfy with jeans and a pair of Ked’s or make it sassy with fitted shorts and heels. 

3. An Athlete: You choose the sport and the costume practically makes itself. You can do the giant jersey thing, or go as a little kid in uniform, or any of the jersey-less sports like horseback riding or ice skating. If you’re trying to do a retro jersey comb local thrift stores and you’re sure to find a diamond in the rough.    

4. A Hippie: If Woodstock once a year isn’t enough for you, go as a hippie this year! They’re long whimsical skirts or bellbottoms are sure to make you feel groovy all night. On top wear a crocheted vest over a fitted t-shirt or tank top. If you find a loose, earthy top or tunic you can opt for shorts or skinny jeans on the bottom. Do not just wear a bra. Bras are not shirts and Campus Corner is not a rave. 

4. Anything Punny:  These clever costumes show a girl’s true wit. They can be comfortable too! Some examples, a pig in a blanket, Sally who sells seashells by the sea shore, Hawaiian Punch (a few leis, a grass skirt and boxing gloves), tape some cereal boxes to your shirt and carry a fake knife and be a cereal killer, wear a garbage bag with pictures of Eminem taped to it and go as a bag of M&M’s, spray some vines from Hobby Lobby blue and wear a blue dress and be Blue Ivy, buy one of those doughnut inner tubes and add a jersey becoming Dunkin’ Donuts, or lastly- go as Fantasy Football by wearing a fake beard, wizard hat and a football jersey. 

5. Inanimate Objects/Animals: For the more creative costume-wearer, the sky is the limit for this category. The best part is because you’re inventing the costume yourself, your outfit can be made out of whatever you want. The plain t-shirts at Hobby Lobby can be transformed into almost anything, from a Gameboy to a sheep. Everyone will be impressed by your art skills and you can rock your Converse all night without a second thought. I recently went as the dinosaur from Jurassic Park to a date party and it was great! 

Tip: You can buy felt by the yard in the fabric section of Hobby Lobby. Felt is wonderful cause its stiff enough to hold some shape but flexible enough so you can move around in it. Plus all you need is a hot glue gun and you won’t have to sew a thing.

The most important thing about a comfortable costume is that you own it- no matter how much skin you’re showing. Halloween gives us the freedom to dress however we wish, take advantage of it!