This weekend’s nightlife scene around campus illustrated a disturbing trend: a large percentage of people either had no costumes or opted for the routine pimps/prostitutes standby.

There are plenty of ways to dress up without reducing Halloween to a mere sexual escapade where students justify wearing only lingerie and calling it a “costume.” If the problem is a lack of funding rather than creativity, here are some low-budget ideas for Halloween and the upcoming weekend that can retain one’s sex appeal without sacrificing one’s integrity as an intelligent and resourceful college student.

Elderly man/woman: Transport yourself years forward in time. Go to the local resale shop for pre-owned clothing at low prices. You can find shoes, flower-print dresses, flannel shirts and even full suits, some of which possess an authentic mothball aroma. Men: don’t forget to look for an old-style hat and possibly a pipe or a cane. Women: don’t miss the jewelry section for dated flash from your grandma’s era. Top off your new old wardrobe with a careful dusting of your hair with all-purpose flour or talcum powder, found at your local grocery store.

Estimated Cost: resale clothing $3-5 each, flour $0.98 (from Wal-Mart)

Pirate: Aside from the fake beard, ye may already have the materials ye need for this costume in yer warrrrrdrobe, matey. Check your closet for a basic button-down shirt and pants, a colored scarf for a sash-style belt and boots. You could buy a bandana, but a cloth napkin or a cut-out square of an old t-shirt will do. For a fake beard, you can use washable black marker/makeup or your girlfriend’s eyeliner pencil.

Estimated Cost: bandana $0.94 (from Wal-Mart), black lipstick $1.99 (from Jewel)

Construction Worker: Take a ride to Office Depot for this one, mac, where a polyethylene safety helmet runs $7.59. The rest of the materials for this costume can be had for nothing by going to your dresser and pulling out a white t-shirt and jeans. You can accesorize by stringing tools to your belt loops. For a realistic action look, get your hands dirty and wipe them off on your shirt.

Estimated Cost: helmet $7.59 (Office Depot Web site)

Butcher: Add some gore to your Halloween experience with a butcher’s outfit. All you need is regular clothes and a white apron. Although using real blood is authentic, it may pose a health hazard and deter friends and significant others. Get some dark red paint or fake blood instead and splatter it on the apron. For a fuller effect, get a fake knife and carry it around. Make sure to give it a coat of fake blood. Just don’t try to get past airport security.

Estimated cost: Apron $15 or less (from various Yahoo! shopping vendors), fake blood $1.29 (from Jewel)

Priest: Bless the masses with this simple costume, which can be made at little or no cost. Check your closet for a black button-shirt, pants, and shoes. The only hard part is the collar, which can be made with card stock or a starched handkerchief. Or, get creative by cutting the collar off a white button-down shirt and fastening it on with safety pins. Just don’t try to bless the wine, though; most fake priest costumes have little real value to the religious world.

Cost: card stock $1.23 (from Wal-Mart)