If you are trying to come up with costume ideas, then believe it or not, your own ideas will be your greatest input. Unless you like parting with your cash, there is no need for you to buy or rent a costume. By using your imagination, maybe some lateral thinking, you can come up with a unique costume idea. Firstly, you will need to know the theme of the party. A jazzy, glitzy costume won't suit a formal dinner. Likewise, turning up to a hip-hop party, attired in a stiff-collared formal dress will be inappropriate.

If you are going to a custom party or ball you can let your imagination run wild and have fun with your costume idea. You can go as Pinocchio and have a cardboard pencil nose tied with a skin or white coloured elastic band. If you are a heavier built person you can pain yourself blue and go as Genie from Aladdin. However, if you are going to a ball that needs periodic style costumes you can choose your favourite person in history and dress as them.

Be imaginative, innovative, and creative with your fancy dress costume. You can even go rummaging through your closet and find the perfect combination of your clothing to have a great costume. You can post a really funny message on an ordinary T-shirt for events like baseball games. You can also portray a klutzy look by wearing clothes that do not match or two different coloured socks.

Ever had a bit of fun with your children's watercolour tubes? Dress them up in an ordinary shirt and jeans. Then draw a moustache and give them a hat and holster. Then just sit back and watch them enjoying playing cowboys. Costumes can be a powerful visual aid to raise awareness on certain issues.

Let's say you are trying to address the issue of eating genetically modified fruits and vegetables. You can dress in a tomato or carrot costume, this will help the viewers get more interested when you are talking about the pros and cons of genetically modified fruits and vegetables. This is a good way to make your message stick out in the minds of the viewers and less boring than reading it from somewhere.

Costume ideas can be a true representation of you and your personality. If you are a huge fan of the 1970s then make up a costume that will reflect that era of Glam Rock and Disco. If you have a wild and wacky personality then choose something that will reflect that. You can plan costumes for virtually any occasion. Make an impression and design your own unique costume rather than resorting to expensive ready made ones.