How to thrift: Halloween

Oct 31, 20243 min read

The only thing scarier than ghosts and goblins? Overconsumption and clothing waste!

There’s a chill in the air. The leaves are crunchy, the days are shorter, and students are brainstorming. The holiest of college holidays is upon us: Halloween. As an avid Halloween fan, I have been writing down my costume ideas since November 1st of 2023 – call me overprepared. But for the past several years, I have had the same goal: spend and buy as little as possible.

The National Retail Federation estimates $3.8 billion will be spent on costumes alone for this years’ Halloween (NRF). College students have a unique Halloween experience, as we typically have three, four, or even five, costumes that we need for the week-long holiday.

The good news is, you have a lot more options than you might think.

Your own closet

The place we forget to check often is the place closest to us. To create the perfect costume, you do not necessarily have to buy a Party City pre-made outfit. The outfit you will feel most comfortable and confident in is the one you know looks good. And who is a better judge than yourself?!

Credit: Me, biker costume

Tip: Aim for aesthetic, not accuracy.

You are never going to have the exact piece you need, but that is what makes a costume unique. Aiming for an aesthetic of a costume rather than a replica, helps show your personality in your look.

Thrift stores

The first solution everyone thinks to thrifting a costume is, of course, actually thrifting it. Thrift stores such as Goodwill, Plato’s Closet, and Value Village are great resources for finding costumes on a budget.

In the internet age, we also have access to online thrifting. Depop, Poshmark and ThredUp are entirely online marketplaces where you can buy second-hand items from individual sellers.

Tip: Keep an open mind, inspiration can strike when you least expect it.

Around 35 million costumes are thrown away after the holiday each year, with over 80% being made of non-recyclable synthetic materials (PIRG).

Friends and family

The only person that has a better closet than you? Your friend that happens to always wear the perfect thing to go out. Don’t be afraid to ask your friends to borrow a piece that’ll complete your look.

Credit: Me, Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz costume

Borrowing a piece not only guarantees you will get to try something new, but it may even help your friend realize the potential they have in an outfit they already own.

Tip: Don’t forget the power of hair and makeup.

Although the most ambitious, making pieces of your costume by hand can take your outfit to the next level. You are guaranteed to have a costume that stands out and is special to you.

It can be as simple as cutting up an old t-shirt or as complex as crocheting your own skirt, crafting your costume yourself can be intimidating but it is equally impressive!

Credit: Me, knight costume

Tip: Build your outfit around your show-stopping piece.

Wrap it Up

A 2019 study from Duke University found that there are around 2,000 tons of plastic waste generated from discarded costumes every year (Duke Today).

Besides candy, parties, and pumpkins, Halloween gives us a day to experiment with out-of-the-box fashion that our everyday selves couldn’t imagine wearing.

Thrifting your costume allows room for personalization and helps avoid the unnecessary consumption that skyrockets around the holidays.

Budget does not have to be a barrier this year, utilize your creativity to find a truly unique and eco-friendly costume!

Thrifting resources: Repurpose Project and Repurpose Planet (local Gainesville stores), Goodwill, Depop.com, ThredUp.com, Poshmark.com