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Halloween costume ideas: Time to start brainstorming
Halloween is in three weeks, and the only thing scarier than ghosts and goblins is the thought of entering a costume shop without a game plan. On second thought, make that the second-scariest thing...
Store-bought costumes can be expensive -- not to mention humiliating, as the stars of the Today show remind us every year. Plus, they're contrived. There's a certain satisfaction that comes from putting together a clever, inexpensive disguise.
In third grade, I stuffed a clear garbage bag with balloons to become a human gumball machine. A few years later, I took a sewing class taught by my friend's mom. She helped me make a dress inspired by the American Girl Dolls.
And last year, I made this vending machine costume for under $20. And check out Deal Diva Stephanie's Weekend at Bernie's costume from last year, made with loving care by hand and trips to TJ Maxx.
This year, I'm attending a Halloween party with my husband. We're thinking of doing some cheesy his-and-hers ensembles.
Divas, what's your best idea for a frugal Halloween costume?
Deal Diva Dalia
(Top photo by Getty Images: Today show co-hosts Meredith Vieira, Matt Lauer, Anne Curry and Al Roker had a fairy-tale Halloween last year. Bottom photo by Cherie Diez of the St. Petersburg Times: The best part about my costume was eating the candy.)
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THE AUTHORS
Stephanie Hayes came out of the womb wearing high heels. While other kids were reciting multiplication tables, she was learning to calculate an extra third off the half-price discount during buy-one-get-one week. She loves animal prints, black mascara and anything that sparkles. She objects to visible panty lines, Crocs and anything that costs more than a car payment. And she doesn't drive a nice car. She can be reached at (727) 893-8857 or shayes@tampabay.com.
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Kameel Stanley has never encountered a thrift store she didn’t like. Her
mother taught her that the true value of clothes isn’t how much they cost,
but how many outfits one can create from them. Having grown up in Michigan,
she was delighted to learn upon moving to Florida that she almost never
needed to wear socks or boots again. There’s a lot of turnover in her
closet, and she’s obsessed with dresses, necklaces and wedge heels. She can
be reached at (727) 893-8643 or kstanley@tampabay.com.
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A disciple of the little black dress classics school, Letitia Stein stretches her budget by looking for styles with staying power. She lives for 80 percent off shoes at DSW, floral sundresses and bohemian chic tops. She confesses to being a bit of a snob when it comes to handbags and jewelry. She can be reached at (813) 226-3400 or lstein@tampabay.com.
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Coming from a long line of fashionable women, Kim Wilmath considers herself lucky to fit into their hand-me-downs. Her wardrobe staples include her grandma's vintage blouses and her mom's funky jewelry. When she's in the market for "new" items, Kim hits her favorite thrift stores -- a habit she also picked up from mom. But when circumstances require a visit to the shiny stores in the mall, you'll find Kim at the sale rack like a good little diva. She can be reached at (813) 661-2442 or kwilmath@tampabay.com.
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