So it’s the day before that Halloween party you were invited to and you still don’t have a costume. Are you going to be one of those boring schmucks who spends a ridiculous amount of money on a crappy Walmart costume? Of course not. Running to the Halloween store is out of the question, since your parents haven’t replenished your bank account yet. This is your year to be creative, original and, dare we say, thrifty. Lucky for you, Binghamton is chock full of thrift stores with a wide variety of fun, inexpensive clothing and accessories that you can turn into an awesomely unique (and sinfully cheap) costume. And if you don’t have time to get to a thrift store, get creative and maybe even a little crafty. Here are a few ideas for some last-minute costumes.

Adam and Eve

Grab a friend or significant other and try this costume out. Adam and Eve were naked, right? Right. Try to wear as little as possible without being completely indecent. If you’re confident, just cover up anything with clothes, or leaves, that may get you arrested. Grab an apple from the dining hall and something snake-shaped from your room. Try a rolled up towel or t-shirt if you’re lacking snake-shaped objects. On your way to the party, pick up a few extra flowers and sprinkle them in your hair. It’s easy, authentic and a little educational.

Christmas Tree

Hanging Christmas lights in dorm rooms appears to be the hot new trend, so why not give those lights another life and wear them as a costume? Wear something green or use some green body paint if it feels right, and have a friend hold the lights while you spin around. Or maybe they should spin around you? Whatever. Tape or pin a paper star, or tree topper of your choosing, on your head, and you’re ready to start the holiday season early. You probably won’t be able to actually sparkle while walking Downtown, but hey, if you see an outlet, plug yourself in and impress everyone.

Homeless Hipster

Let’s be honest, all those hipsters are going to be homeless soon enough if they keep spending all of their money on organic cotton scarves. Stay ahead of the curve and try this costume out. Find the biggest pair of glasses you can, some nice oxfords and some oversized sweater that even your grandpa wouldn’t have bought. Make a sign that says something like “Will Work for Free Trade Coffee” and you’re good to go. If you’re a guy and have a beard, this costume will work even better. Is the beard a statement on homelessness or are you just going for the lumberjack-hipster hybrid? Who knows? Definitely not you.

-Shafsky

If you’re not looking to make your own costume but instead want to pick up a few things, the Salvation Army and Rescue Mission Thrifty Shopper will do the trick.

The Salvation Army Store on 3-5 Griswold St. in Binghamton offers a veritable smorgasbord of second-hand items, such as moderately worn clothing, electronics, books, toys and furniture, among other things. Keep in mind the motto “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure” and, most importantly, get creative. Thrift stores have all sorts of weird items that can be incorporated into costumes. Find a bizarre faux-leather jacket with spikes on the shoulders? Pair it with a bandanna and turn yourself into a burly biker. How about an old tutu? You are now the Black Swan. Browse the accessories section for retro jewelry and pins to complement your costume.

The Salvation Army’s clothing section carries a ton of past-era garments for the perfect throwback costume. Dig out a pair of acid-washed jeans, a flowery top, a retro belt and a funky headscarf for the authentic hippie look. The ’70s isn’t your preferred era? Pick out a cutesy vintage dress or a suave dress shirt with suspenders and a fancy fedora to channel your inner ’50s persona. Hats are always a super fun element to play around with in thrift stores.

“Look at me! I’m Abraham Lincoln, or maybe just a gentleman. Someone get me a mustache,” said Katie Shafsky, an undeclared freshman who donned a top hat during a recent thrift store visit.

Pick out a funky cap to complete your look and you’re set to go.

The Rescue Mission Thrifty Shopper on 1139 Upper Front St. is another great Binghamton-area thrift store that’s worth browsing. Proceeds from its sales go toward local homeless shelters and recovery programs, so in addition to saving money, you’re also helping out the community. Thrifty Shopper has a lot of eclectic clothing that’s perfect for oddball costumes. Combine a hideous sweater, thick-framed glasses, Crocs and a pile of kitty stuffed animals to become the perfect cat lady. Another great thing about thrift store clothes is that they’re so cheap you don’t feel bad about ruining them for a costume. Buy a complete outfit and go nuts with fake blood and scissors to make a convincing zombie. Or maybe even take it a step further and make yourself a zombie cat lady. The budget leaves tons of room for creativity.

Thrift stores make for fun, cheap shopping, especially in groups. Get your buddies together to search for creative and inexpensive group costumes. There are a wide variety of themes to choose from. How about Scooby-Doo and the gang? You can find everything from Fred’s ascot to Velma’s sweater in a thrift store. For all you “Doctor Who” fans, there are plenty of David Tennant-esque trench coats and Amy Pond overalls in stock.

Halloween is a fun time of year, and you don’t have to spend insane amounts of money to enjoy it. Thrift stores are your chance to get crafty, get excited and get creative with costumes this Halloween, all without draining your bank account.