"Instead of spending $50 or up on something that you can only wear once, that's not really made that well, not really great quality, you can spend $20 at a thrift store and have a totally unique outfit that you won't see anyone else in the whole Halloween weekend," says Melanie Frazza of the Wardrobe Boutique in Spring Garden.
At the Wardrobe Boutique, we found a couple of Snooki-worthy mini-dresses for under $10... And check out these shoes that were just $10 as well.
As for Lady Gaga, Frazza found a vintage suit jacket with a wild gold ruffle that she suggest pairing with gold hot pants, boots and a wild makeup.
As you peruse thrift shop shelves, other costumes ideas quickly come to mind. A puffy shirt's a great start to a pirate costume. Vintage dresses can work for anything from Molly Ringwald in 16 Candles to a '60s flower child. And since many thrift stores have lots sizes, even men who want to dress up as women can find clothes that will fit.
And thanks to a Costume Swap Saturday, October 9, 2010, from noon until 2:00 p.m. at the Wardrobe Boutique, kids' costumes don't have to cost you any money at all.
"Parents and children can bring in their gently used costumes and just swap them with each other," Frazza explains. "We're going to have refreshments, treats, have a good Halloween atmosphere going on."
After the Swap, leftover costumes will be for sale at the Wardrobe Boutique, with proceeds benefiting The Career Wardrobe.
The Wardrobe Boutique is located at 19th and Spring Garden streets.