How to Thrift Saved by the Bell Costume DIY Ideas

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4:30 AM

How to Thrift Saved by the Bell Costume DIY Ideas

Step back into the halls of Bayside High this spooky season with the perfect Saved by the Bell costume!

Whether you’re channeling Zack Morris with his classic cool, embracing your inner Kelly Kapowski with cute outfits and big hair, or teaming up as A.C. Slater and friends, this theme makes for fantastic group or couple DIY costumes.

A true Bell fan knows there are plenty of different options—from the Miss Bliss days to everyone’s favorite times at Bayside—that make for great Halloween costume ideas.

So if you’re heading to a Halloween party, a bell costume is a nostalgic way to say “good morning” to one of TV’s most iconic shows!

(This pic of me is very 80's and not quite Saved by the Bell, but it's close and you could make something like this work)

Alright, so Saved by the Bell was heading out of the late 1980's and into the 1990's, so the style is still 80's inspired but moving into bolder colors, color blocking and some different looks.

It's fine to blur those lines because even growing up watching the original Saved by the Bell, they looked so 80's to us!

For a high school Halloween dance one year, we got a big group together and dressed up like Saved by the Bell.

Here we are in all our Bayside High glory! Hilarious, right!?

Alright, so Saved by the Bell was heading out of the late 1980's and into the 1990's, so the style is still 80's inspired but moving into bolder colors, color blocking and some different looks. It's fine to blur those lines because even growing up watching the original Saved by the Bell, they looked so 80's to us! For a high school Halloween dance one year, we got a big group together and dressed up like Saved by the Bell. Here we are in all our Bayside High glory! Hilarious, right!?

Here's me, with my date, Dave...rocking the big hair, hoop earrings and lots of patterned denim--and I absolutely hated this picture when I got it back.

My date was inspired by a.c. slater and did the sleeveless tee and letterman style jacket.

There's lots of fun and simple thrifting options when looking for Saved by the Bell costume DIY inspiration!

Here's me, with my date, Dave...rocking the big hair, hoop earrings and lots of patterned denim. My date was inspired by a.c. slater and did the sleeveless tee and letterman style jacket. There's lots of fun and simple thrifting options when looking for Saved by the Bell costume DIY inspiration!

WHAT IS SAVED BY THE BELL?

Saved by the Bell is a classic American teen sitcom that originally aired from 1989 to 1993, set in the fictional Bayside High School in California.

The show follows a group of friends—Zack Morris, Kelly Kapowski, A.C. Slater, Jessie Spano, Lisa Turtle, and their nerdy sidekick Screech—as they navigate the ups and downs of high school life.

With Principal Belding keeping a watchful (and often comedic) eye, the group tackles everything from friendship, dating, and homework to the bigger challenges of growing up.

Known for its colorful 90s style, "time-outs", lighthearted humor, and memorable characters, Saved by the Bell became a pop-culture staple that still inspires nostalgia today.

WHAT IS SAVED BY THE BELL? Saved by the Bell is a classic American teen sitcom that originally aired from 1989 to 1993, set in the fictional Bayside High School in California. The show follows a group of friends—Zack Morris, Kelly Kapowski, A.C. Slater, Jessie Spano, Lisa Turtle, and their nerdy sidekick Screech—as they navigate the ups and downs of high school life. With Principal Belding keeping a watchful (and often comedic) eye, the group tackles everything from friendship, dating, and homework to the bigger challenges of growing up. Known for its colorful 90s style, "time-outs", lighthearted humor, and memorable characters, Saved by the Bell became a pop-culture staple that still inspires nostalgia today.

Key Points for Thrifting a Saved by the Bell Costume

Go Big on Bright Colors & Patterns

Look for bold neon, geometric prints, color-blocking, and oversized patterns. Think loud shirts, zigzags, checkerboards, and acid-wash denim.

Oversized Silhouettes

The early 90s style was all about baggy fits: oversized blazers, slouchy sweaters, high-waisted “mom jeans,” and tucked-in tops with chunky belts.

Iconic Character Touches

Zack Morris → loud patterned button-up, stonewashed jeans, chunky sneakers, maybe a giant cell phone prop.

Kelly Kapowski → crop tops, high-waisted shorts/jeans, GUESS jeans, scrunchies, floral prints.

Lisa Turtle → bright fashion-forward skirts/jackets, bold accessories, bangles, lots of color.

Jessie Spano → big floral patterns, vests, mom jeans, headbands, big curly hair, notebook in hand.

AC Slater → muscle tank, acid-wash jeans, or athletic/jock style.

Screech → quirky patterned shirts, suspenders, nerdy accessories.

Key Points for Thrifting a Saved by the Bell Costume Go Big on Bright Colors & Patterns Look for bold neon, geometric prints, color-blocking, and oversized patterns. Think loud shirts, zigzags, checkerboards, and acid-wash denim. Oversized Silhouettes The early 90s style was all about baggy fits: oversized blazers, slouchy sweaters, high-waisted “mom jeans,” and tucked-in tops with chunky belts. Iconic Character Touches Zack Morris → loud patterned button-up, stonewashed jeans, chunky sneakers, maybe a giant cell phone prop. Kelly Kapowski → crop tops, high-waisted shorts/jeans, GUESS jeans, scrunchies, floral prints. Lisa Turtle → bright fashion-forward skirts/jackets, bold accessories, bangles, lots of color. Jessie Spano → big floral patterns, vests, mom jeans, headbands, big curly hair, notebook in hand. AC Slater → muscle tank, acid-wash jeans, or athletic/jock style. Screech → quirky patterned shirts, suspenders, nerdy accessories.

Accessories Make It Authentic

Hunt for chunky scrunchies, oversized earrings, slap bracelets, big belts, and neon sneakers. Props like retro phones or binders give it that Bayside High vibe.

Layer & Mix Textures

Layer denim with graphic tees, throw on a patterned blazer over a t-shirt, or pair leggings with oversized tops. Mixing textures (denim + polyester + cotton) sells the 90s look.

(Again, this picture is us dressed up 80's, so not quite Saved by the Bell, but some elements still work)

Accessories Make It Authentic Hunt for chunky scrunchies, oversized earrings, slap bracelets, big belts, and neon sneakers. Props like retro phones or binders give it that Bayside High vibe. Layer & Mix Textures Layer denim with graphic tees, throw on a patterned blazer over a t-shirt, or pair leggings with oversized tops. Mixing textures (denim + polyester + cotton) sells the 90s look.

That's it!

Thrifting and DIY’ing your own Saved by the Bell costume is not only budget-friendly but also one of the most fun ways to bring back the nostalgia of the early ’90s.

The characters from Bayside High had such distinctive styles, which means you can easily thrift pieces that echo their iconic looks.

Think of it as a treasure hunt—digging through racks at your favorite thrift shop or vintage store for acid-wash jeans, oversized blazers, colorful scrunchies, or a bold patterned shirt that screams Zack Morris.

Add in some chunky sneakers or high-top shoes, tease your hair for that big-volume effect, and suddenly, you’ve stepped right into the halls of Bayside.

The beauty of a DIY costume is that you can be as creative as you want.

Maybe you’ll mix elements of multiple characters for a fun twist, or maybe you’ll go all-in and perfectly recreate your favorite persona—whether that’s rocking Jessie Spano’s confident vibe, channeling Lisa Turtle’s fashion-forward outfits, or stepping into A.C. Slater’s wrestling gear.

The key is to focus on vibrant colors, exaggerated silhouettes, and playful accessories, all of which capture the carefree energy of the show.

Best of all, these costumes are perfect for groups or couples, since each friend can embody a different Bayside character and together you’ll make an unforgettable entrance at any Halloween party.

With a little creativity, some thrifting, and maybe a few DIY touches like iron-on patches or altered hems, you’ll create a costume that not only pays homage to one of the most beloved shows of its time but also turns you into the ultimate Saved by the Bell fan for the night.

So grab your friends, get ready to channel that Saturday morning energy, and relive one of your favorite times with a costume that’s both stylish and full of personality.