Get your freak on

With Halloween only a week away and Halloweekend even closer, procrastinators may soon enter a costume shopping frenzy. Costumes need not be expensive or complicated to be effective. To make life easier, here’s a list of basic costume ideas to execute.

The scavenger
It’s Halloween already? When running to a roommate or friend’s bedroom and looking through piles of clothes and accessories, think simple. Think Tom Cruise. White button-down shirt, sunglasses, socks, some swag and the outfit is complete.

The minimalist
Buy a fake moustache kit for $8 at Urban Outfitters or a single moustache for $10 at Cactus Flower. There’s always that one person with a pair of vampire teeth, some cat ears or a mask that call themselves dressed and ready for Halloween. If one of them, might as well be prepared.

The zombie anything
Just one step ahead of the minimalist on the Halloween costume scale of laziness, this costume is easy to assemble. Head to Goodwill, select cheap clothing and purchase some fake blood from Campus Costume for 50 cents a tube.

The party animal
Grab some glasses, bling and clothes and be Ke$ha. On the literal side of things, grab a leopard costume accessory set from Charlotte Russe for $12.50.
  
The angels and demons
What better way to show off the dark side of Halloween than a pair of devil horns and a tail? Pick up a set at Vintage Warehouse for $8. On the bright side, there are angel halos for $6.

The traditionalist
It isn’t Halloween without a few classic witch and warlock costumes. For a quick and easy witch costume, go to Claire’s for a $7.50 witch hat and throw on an old black dress. Costume Delight on Walnut Street has masks that can be paired with any outfit.

The store-bought costume
There’s a banana at every respectable Halloween party. Target has a banana costume for $13.48, as well as Wal-Mart. Big chain stores tend to carry these ready-for-anything costumes. Hotdogs and pizza slices are also available.

The couples
Having a boyfriend or girlfriend can be either fun and exciting or horribly traumatic when hunting for the perfect couples costume. Jack and Rose? Romeo and Juliet? Or be clever and go as a plug and outlet. These outfits can be purchased at Target, Costume Delight, Campus Costume and other places near campus.

The history buff
Revisit childhood during the 1990s with an all-denim costume. Bonus points for a low ponytail or plaid shirt wrapped around the waist. Visit Vintage Vogue for a plaid shirt, $14.99, and a denim jacket, $17.99. ‘80s diva or ‘60s hippie are also easy looks to create.

The impressionist
Copy-catting is the method of operation for this costume. Embody a favorite film or book character, past presidents, historical figures, popular singers or your best friend. Any character or person-based costume walks a fine line between creative and unrecognizable, so this one requires a little more effort. Take the time to plan out the costume before embarking on a journey to piece it together.