Concoct a haunting Halloween costume

Campus is currently abuzz with the one annual question: “What should I be for Halloween?” Creating the perfect Halloween costume, it turns out, is sometimes a scary feat.

The costume brew is perfected with the right balance of classy versus trashy, clever versus ambiguous and trendy versus creative. Here are four costume starters for this Halloween that will make you stand out from the sea of black cats.

1. Dress as your favorite movie, book or TV character.

If you’re looking for a costume that is stylish and sexy, you’ll have almost unlimited options in this category.

Buy a fake bow and arrows, braid your hair and grab a jacket and some lace-up boots to imitate Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games.

If you’re looking for something a little edgier, try Alex DeLarge, the main character from A Clockwork Orange. You’ll need an all-white outfit, fake eyelashes and some suspenders.

2. Dress as something spooky.

While a classic, creepy costume might seem dull, adding a unique twist will keep things interesting.

Try making a witch costume edgier with stylish boots, a short skirt, black tights and some green eye-shadow.

For the opposite effect, make a scary costume cute. Dressing as a pumpkin or a ghost will give a charming vibe.

3. Dress up with friends.

Matching your friends is a fun, memorable way to bond and stand out.

If your Halloween group is a handful of girls, dress as the U.S. women’s gymnastics team. Everyone will just have to coordinate leotards and tights. Add some gold medals to complete your winning ensembles.

If you’re part of a larger group, assemble as a box of crayons, a gaggle of Care Bears or Angry Birds.

4. Make people laugh!

Try something unexpected. Hilarious costumes tend to be the most memorable.

If you get tired of seeing the typical black cat costumes on campus, poke fun at them! Bring your favorite stuffed animal and dress as a crazy cat lady. While it might not be the sexiest costume, it will certainly make your night a fun one.

Bring on the puns: Dressing as a deviled egg, mixed greens or Facebook might take a bit of explaining, but it won’t disappoint.