As schedules become more hectic with the speeding year, it’s easy to forget about one of the best celebrations of the year, that is Halloween. As a firm believer in the make-your-own-costume Halloween ethic, and given the current economic crisis, I hope many New Yorkers steer clear of overpriced costume stores or websites.

Common Store Bought Costume Examples. And yes, everyone can tell you bought it online:

1. Slutty Devil/Angel/Vampire/Werewolf/Meercat/Whatever

2. Slutty Tinkerbell

3. Slutty Hermione Granger

Now, it may just be me, but the standard let’s pick a universal theme and sluttify it doesn’t strike me as that hard to come up with. But bridging into childhood fairytales seems a little off-kilter. Slutty Hermione Granger? Who came up with that? Why don’t they just say outright: Warning – this is a 13 year old favorite literary character aimed at pre-adolescent teens. Just saying it’s a little weird. What about that actress who plays Hermione Granger? On October 31 there’s going to be 20-somethings all over the world dressed like her, but looking like a prostitute. Just a little irresponsible.

To fight the masses here are some AWESOME do-it-yourself-literary costume ideas:

1. James Joyce: don some spectacles, a mustache and a constant supply of Guinness.

2. (for couples) Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes: Red lipstick, 50s garb, and a convincing look of manic depression in your eye.

3. Hunter S. Thompson: this one particularly helps if you look like Johnny Depp, but unbuttoned Hawaiian shirt, short shorts, glasses, cigarette and cigarette holder, medicinal marijuana if you have a prescription.

4. David Foster Wallace. Um, too soon? Ok too soon.

And you get the idea: they’re fun, convincing, and you don’t have to worry about pedophilia or going to your cute friend’s Halloween party dressed as a hot dog. Or just the mustard.

-Nikki-Lee