Don’t panic: Emergency last minute Halloween costumes to wear in Sheffield

The basics really are the best

1 month ago | UPDATED 3 weeks ago

Halloween is looming just around the corner, and as the days get closer to the 31st you’re probably leaving your outfit right up until the last minute, just like the rest of us. Each year the daunting fear of clashing outfits with somebody else in Tiger Works toilets stays in the back of your thoughts, haunting you throughout October.

But sometimes going basic is just the best. They’re popular for a reason, they work year after year for a reason, and people always go for them – and they never miss. Why? Because they always look so good.

So if you’ve spent this semester focusing on being an academic weapon: Here’s a guide to emergency costumes, to sort you out for Halloween 2024.

Let your hair colour be your costume

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If you haven’t got time, or money, to spend on special effects makeup, a wig, or a shop-bought costume, then don’t fret – just let your hair be your costume. When you think about it, so many costumes are strongly recognized by hair colour, in fact, some of the most classic Halloween costumes rely entirely on hair colour to make the look.

So to the blonde girlies of Sheffield, I cannot wait to see all the Barbies strutting up and down West Street this October. Pull out the pink leathers, the baby doll heels, and the infamous quotes, and completely absorb this glamorous character.

My lovely redheads, my gingers, I see you. And you are not short of hot costumes to go with your fiery hair. Ginger Spice and the Union Jack dress, Princess Fiona, Daphne, Jessica Rabbit – pop culture is a never-ending parade of iconic gingers.

Brunettes, pop your brown hair into a big 70s bouffant and slip into a mini skirt and knee high boots. Just like that, you go from a second year geography student struggling to get a 2:1 to Priscilla Presley.

If your hair is black, you have plenty of options too. With pigtails, you’ll transform into Wednesday Addams. All it takes is a couple of hair bobbles and a few minutes of spare time.

Celebs

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Celebrities, being real life people, don’t always need a special or particularly complicated costume. Marilyn Monroe is always in fashion – all you need is a white and a headband. Christina Aguilera dressed in her racey, leathers are always a good idea – and the only effort you’ll have to go to is digging a bikini top and a pair of leather trousers out of the bottom of your wardrobe. If you’ve got a green bikini top, and jean shorts – you can be Britney. Extra points if you bring a snake – though you might have to leave it in the cloakroom at the club.

Disney

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Who doesn’t love dressing up like a princess? I’ll go in order of my favourite: Rapunzel – anything purple, hair draping down your shoulders, and accessorised with a frying pan- yes, yes, yes.

Cinderella, a blue corset, paired with a blonde bun, is always a good pair.

Tinkerbell, another bun moment paired with green instead, again always a good pair.

If you want to be Snow White, means just carry around an apple as a snack for the night – it’s also a good snack, rather than going to Aslam’s for a kebab.

Another option is Tinkerbell’s best friend, Peter Pan, you can become him by just wearing tights and any green shirt. The ability to fly is not included.

Movies

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The Princess Diaries is ingrained in most of our brains – a true 21st century classic. Who doesn’t want to be the Princess of Genovia, even if it’s just for one night? Take headphones, and a Bardot dress and give you… a princess! (Real fans know).

One which isn’t as basic as the rest, however still pulls it out of the bag each time is this. Three words: Breakfast at Tiffany’s’. If you need another hint here are two more: Audrey Hepburn. The most classy and sleek look of all time. Which is very easily modernized as well. Just a sleek bun, black dress, accessorise, and the gloves for effect. Perfection.

If you’re feeling especially lazy, and own a tuxedo, throw it on. And just like that, you’re James Bond.

Couples costumes

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Dressing up can be fun, but dressing up with someone else is double the fun. And Halloween is the perfect time of the year to coordinate with your bestie (platonic or romantic). There are so many easy ideas to choose from: Angel and devil (just wear white and red), Ant and Dec (just wear suits), or prisoner and officer, although prisoner is, of course, the most basic of all male Halloween costumes.