Costume Continuum

Jessica Daly and Rachel Wilkerson

As broke college students, it’s hard to splurge on a great Halloween costume with the knowledge you’ll only wear it one time. No one wants to pay top dollar for a flame retardant slutty Snow White costume or shell out her hard-earned cash for go-go boots to complete her look. But some fashion items transcend the holiday. Incorporate these items and come November, your style and your bank account will still be doing well.

Aviator Shades

Wear them on Halloween: Guys or girls can go dressed as members of law enforcement. Aviators are the perfect accessory whether you’re a sexy cop or Lieutenant Dangle from Reno 911!

Wear them later: These shades are classics—when won’t you wear them again? 

Bonus: Hang on to that billy club and handcuffs!

Flat Boots

Wear them on Halloween: Channel Captain Jack Sparrow and wear them in black with your pirate outfit or go buckskin wild and wear tan ones as Pocahontas.

Wear them later: These boots are great for wearing every day with dresses, or shorts if you’re feeling bold.

Bonus: It’s easy to party-hop in these comfy kicks, and the extra leg covering will keep you warm.

Fedora

Wear it on Halloween: Guys or girls can incorporate this chapeau into a mobster costume.

Wear it later: Take inspiration from starlets like Ashlee, Nicole and Fergie and pair it with jeans and a rocker tee.

Lace-up Oxfords

Wear them on Halloween: As a “Gossip Girl” cast member or your traditional schoolgirl, you can up the sex appeal with these naughty-but-nice shoes.

Wear them later: They were all over the runways and celebs are snapping them up for red-carpet events, but us normal people can wear them as a stylish alternative to pumps with wide-leg trousers and sweater dresses.

LBD (Little Black Dress)

Wear it on Halloween: Go-lightly this year in a “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” inspired costume.

Wear it later (um, forever): This will be the most versatile item in your closet—wear it to cocktail parties and holiday fetes.

Bonus: Pairing the LBD with pearls and a tiara like Audrey will restore some class to Halloween, and a long-stemmed cigarette holder is tres chic.

Bomber Jacket

Wear it on Halloween:  If it’s a black jacket, boys can fit right into the cast of Grease with a little extra hair gel and some tight pants!  If you’re a lady with the brown variety, why not be a little more cerebral and emulate Amelia Earhart, the first female aviator?  It fits perfectly with the above-mentioned sunglasses and one of those cute pashminas we’re all sporting these days!

Wear it later:  A great favorite fall accessory—throw it on instead of a North Face and your chic factor immediately goes up. Also it adds to your badass image and intimidation levels if you’re into that. We certainly are.

Moon Boots

Wear them on Halloween:  Want to look like a space alien, astronaut or even a snow bunny?  Moon boots are perfect footwear for any of these costumes.

Wear them later:  If you dare to experience a bit of ridicule, these are very fun to wear around all winter.  Some people may think they make you look fashion inept, but they’re fun to run around in and they make your legs look super skinny.

Bonus:  Wearing these will help you grow a thicker skin after all the bashing you will invariably receive, especially when onlookers have been drinking.  This will help you in the future when you wish to take further fashion risks.

Halloween Items Not to be Worn After the 31st

• Angel wings
• Capes
• Trucker hats, wifebeaters or any other part of a white trash/Kid Rock/Britney costume
• Feather boas
• Overalls
• Tightie-whities