Spook-tainable Halloween Costumes

Halloween’s right around the corner, and while store-bought costumes can be fun, they’re expensive, and only worn only once. This year, we encourage you to skip out on fast fashion and build your costume sustainably. Thrifting, using random pieces from your closet, or shopping secondhand, are budget and eco-friendly ways to create something unique. Whether you’re going for cute or scary vibes thrifting lets you get creative without harming the planet or your wallet. 

The first step to a sustainable Halloween costume is evaluating your own closet. Of course we all want a new, unique costume worthy of an Instagram post, but you don’t need to shop fast fashion to get that, you just need to think outside the box! For starters, do you have any old dresses? These can easily be styled as Disney princesses; all you need after that is a crown. If it’s a red dress, you could be Betty Boop or Minnie Mouse, and with some jewelry or a headband, you’re all set. Another chic costume, perfect for anyone who lives in Miami is a mermaid. Take your favorite bikini, sandals, and a cover-up; add some glitter, gems, and a seashell necklace if you have one, and you’re the perfect mermaid!

A trend we’ve seen all over Pinterest is women using suit ties in everyday outfits as belts or scarves. What if you incorporated this into a funny, more masculine fit? Think Magic Mike with a thrifted tie, baseball cap, and a white tank. Other costume ideas that incorporated thrifted ties and professional wear like blazers you might already have in your closet, include Men in Black, American Psycho, or the Joker. With just the right  makeup and accessories these costumes could really come to life. With just some creativity, your closet, and the thrift store, you could make a flirty, frightful, eco-conscious costume!

So this Halloween, skip the plastic packaging and overpriced costumes. Instead, dig through your closet, hit up your local thrift store, and let your creativity run wild! Not only will you end up with a one-of-a-kind costume, but you’ll also be doing the planet and your bank account a huge favor. Whether you go spooky, sparkly, or straight-up silly, a sustainable costume proves that style doesn’t have to come at a cost to the environment. After all, the best outfits are the ones that tell a story and what better story than one you stitched together yourself? Happy haunting and happy thrifting!