DIY Halloween Costumes for The Howl & Spooky Nights Out

Halloween season is here and The Howl at Utah State University is the biggest party of the year. Whether you’re headed to campus or out enjoying some spooky magic with friends, Uptown Cheapskate Logan has everything you need to build your own Halloween look for less.

This year’s lineup of DIY costume inspo proves that the best looks don’t come from box store plastic bags, they come from your brilliant thrifty brain (and a little thrift hunting magic).

Red Devil

Turn up the heat in a sleek red dress and heels from Uptown. Add your own devil horns, tail, and pitchfork or DIY them with felt, headbands, and cardboard for a bold, confident look that’s easy to pull together.

💡 Thrift Tip: Choose a satin or fitted dress for an elevated twist on the classic devil vibe.

Golden Goddess

Start with a gold sequin or metallic dress and matching heels from Uptown. Top it off with a sun crown and gold jewelry. You might find some of the perfect pieces in Uptown’s accessories section, or make your own crown with wire and metallic paint.

💡 Styling Tip: Add a gold shimmer highlight or sunburst eyeshadow for a radiant finish.

Fairy Vibes

Find a sparkly bright or pastel green dress and heels at Uptown, then add your own wings and a wand for the full fairy moment. Wings are easy to make from hangers, pantyhose, and glitter spray or repurpose ones you already have from a past costume.

💡 Style Idea: Add glitter makeup or floral hair clips for that magical finishing touch. Put your hair in a high bun with lots of volume for that signature fairy look.

Sea Sorceress

Start with a deep purple or blue shimmery dress and gold heels from Uptown. Add sea-inspired details like a gold shell necklace, white short wig, and a gold trident. Don't have a shell necklace or trident? DIY with gold paint, gold necklace chain, seashell and cardboard.

💡 Thrift Tip: Layer chunky gold jewelry or add metallic blue eye makeup to give it a villainous and oceanic feel.

Storybook Classic

Grab a blue gingham or plaid dress, white button up, and red heels from Uptown. Complete the look with ruffle socks, light blue bows, a small basket and stuffed dog. You can easily DIY or reuse these from home.

💡 Style Idea: Add braided pigtails and a blue ribbon for that timeless storybook vibe.

Ice Queen

Shop for a white or silver shimmery dress and heels at Uptown. Add a faux fur stole, icicle crown, icicle staff, and frosty makeup. The crown and staff are easy to DIY with glitter, cardboard, clear plastic, hot glue, or rhinestones.

💡 Style Idea: Use silvery-white eyeshadow on top of your mascara and white shimmery highlight on your skin to give your look an extra winter glow.

Popstar Energy

Find a short satin or sparkly mini dress and matching platform heels or boots at Uptown. Add gold hoops, a matching hair bow, and a red lipstick look you already own. A small handbag completes the outfit.

💡 Styling Tip: Style your hair with volume or waves for that effortless stage-ready vibe or go all in with a blonde wig with curtain bangs and voluminous bouncy curls.

Vintage Glam

Start with a rhinestone or beaded dress and matching heels from Uptown. Layer on pearl necklaces and drop earrings. You may even find these in Uptown’s accessory section! DIY or source a feather headpiece to tie it all together.

💡 Style Idea: A bold red lip, bob wig with short straight bangs, and a vintage clutch elevate this look instantly.

Pirate Life

Find a lace or red-toned dress, corset, and knee-high boots at Uptown. Add a pirate hat, eyepatch, and gold necklaces. These items can be thrifted, borrowed, or DIY'd with cardboard and black paint.

💡 Styling Tip: Messy waves, gold hoops, and a smoky eye make this costume feel high-end, not hokey.

Why Go DIY?

Every costume at Uptown Logan is unique! Meaning when you create your costume at Uptown you are getting a costume that can't be duplicated, no plastic packaging, and no breaking the bank. Most base pieces can be found right in-store, while accessories or finishing touches can be borrowed, crafted, or repurposed from what you already own.

With new arrivals daily, you never know what treasure you’ll find. Come in early, shop often, and let your imagination do the styling.

📍 Uptown Cheapskate Logan
70 E 400 N #130 — across from In-N-Out