by Elle Kim

Created on: December 15, 2009

Costumes are switched out all the time for people: a Barbie princess one year, a Disney princess the next year, a Goth princess the year after, then the punk rocker princess next, etc. So why am I on the buy side of the debate topic?

Well, it's pretty simple. First off, how many people have re-worn a costume at least once, even if it was changed up? For most of us, it's occurred at least one time. And if you didn't, I'm pretty sure you regret not having had one of the many costumes you wore to wear again, or to give to somebody that would fit it perfect, etc. But even then, you might say that to buy a costume every year wouldn't be cost efficient, and it would be a waste of money overall. However, most costumes can do used again in so many ways, especially if you put the costume together rather than having rented a whole set. Of course, renting a gorgeous costume once in a while would be fun, especially if it's very expensive, but this article isn't titled "What would be more fun to do once in a while?"

One year (and this was recent), I had a friend who created her own pirate wench costume, and she purchased some not-so-expensive black boots because they were on sale and she figured that she would never wear them again. It's true that she never wore the actual costume again, but she learned to love the boots and still wears them sometimes.

I have another friend that purchased an actual costume. More specifically, it was an adult bee costume that was cute and fit her well, and was also on sale. Like my other friend, she never wore it again, but she did transform the minidress into a tank top, after she removed the black frills underneath. There on afterwards, she always turned some piece of her costume into something she could wear on a regular basis.

But the only point of this article isn't the reusability/cost-efficiency. It's also the sentimental value that it could bring. How wonderful it would be to have a costume with so many memories hung up in your room that you could one day wear again or give to someone else that deserves it and would look good in it. And if that doesn't work for you, donating costumes to people that don't have anything for Halloween is always another option, rather than just building on the money Halloween costume rental shops earn annually from people that rent costumes every year. To those people, regardless of their socio-economic status, holiday memories represent much less regarding costumes, although it does not necessarily have to do with anything else. However, people that truly enjoy the holiday know that the costume and dressing up is a huge part of the fun and enjoyment.

Costumes shouldn't be regarded as merely costumes- they truly are a representation of who you are and reveals so much about you. Why even spend so much time on something that will be rented for a week or so?

Take the smarter route and buy your costumes. It will not only be helpful to you in the future, but will prove to add that much more to your holiday memories and sentiments.

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