Three Nights, Three Costumes?
By Isabelle Loginovs | October 19, 2026
For some UAlbany students, the perfect Halloween costume takes months to plan. For others, it takes a headband, construction paper and a little imagination.
Halloweekend gives students the chance to transform their favorite characters, movies, and childhood memories into costumes of their own. Whether they spend months tracking down specific pieces or repurpose clothes already hanging in their closets, students find different ways to bring their ideas to life.
Brielle Burns, a junior theater major, takes inspiration from her favorite shows, movies and characters when planning costumes. Rather than buying a new outfit every year, Burns looks for ways to recreate a character using items she already owns.
Burns starts planning costumes well in advance, sometimes thinking of ideas a full year before Halloween.
“I started planning my costumes for this year the day after Halloween last year,” Burns said.
This year, Burns plans to wear a Freddy Fazbear costume inspired by the Five Nights at Freddy’s video game franchise. For the costume, Burns used a headband and construction paper to create the character’s ears and hat.
The costume also holds personal meaning. Burns said the character connects to a longtime friendship with a best friend she has known since they were both three years old. Their shared interests in video games and other childhood favorites helped inspire the costume.
For Burns, Halloween is an opportunity to revisit those interests while creating something personal. Instead of spending money on an entirely new outfit, Burns finds ways to work with what is already available.
“College students have to get creative,” Burns said.
While Burns plans costumes far in advance, Lilly Santora, a junior psychology major, takes a different approach. Rather than planning months ahead, Santora puts her costumes together at the last minute.
“I usually stress out about what I am going to be,” Santora said. “Then at the last minute, I pick something and stick with it.”
This year, Santora plans to wear three costumes, including two group costumes and one solo look. For Santora, having multiple costumes is part of the Halloweekend experience, especially with the pressure to share each look on social media.
Beyond choosing different looks, Santora also uses her own skills to customize her costumes. After buying a sewing machine earlier this year, she has been able to alter her clothes and make them work for different costume ideas.
“I bought a sewing machine this year so I could alter my clothes,” Santora said. “It came in handy this Halloween.”
Santora plans to dress as Raven from Teen Titans. After purchasing a costume that was too large, she used her sewing machine to adjust the fit rather than buying another outfit. The alterations allowed her to personalize the costume while making use of what she already had.
For students like Burns and Santora, the creative process can be just as important as the finished costume. Whether they are making accessories, sewing clothing, or searching for specific pieces, each approach allows them to put their own spin on Halloween.
Halloweekend offers students multiple opportunities to dress up, but the pressure to create a different look every night can sometimes overshadow the fun.
Santora said social media can make students feel the need to have a new costume for every event.
“You want to have multiple costumes,” Santora said. “Especially if you post on Instagram, because if you don't, did you even go?”
Burns believes students can become too concerned about having several different looks. She thinks Halloween should be fun and that students do not necessarily need a new costume every night.
“You could wear the same costume for all three nights and nobody’s going to know except for you,” Burns said. “And maybe your friends.”
Whether they plan months ahead or put together a costume at the last minute, Burns and Santora show that Halloweekend is about more than buying a new outfit for every event. From handmade accessories to clothing alterations, UAlbany students are finding their own ways to express themselves without letting expectations overshadow the fun.
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