Every spooky season, over 85% of Halloween costumes end up in landfills, according to a Hubbub survey conducted in 2019. But what’s even more horrifying is that the cheap polyester used in these costumes can take over 150 years to decompose.
Instead of wasting money on overpriced, single-use costumes, try stopping by your local thrift store to unleash the creative side of your mind. You’ll not only save money but also help the planet.
This October, I visited the Wilkes-Barre Salvation Army, only 10 minutes from campus, with the goal of spending just $10 on a Halloween costume.
My first creation was a ladybug costume. I started in the shorts and skirts section and found a plain black skirt for $2.99. I continued toward the back of the store, where I found a red blouse with polka dots for $3.99.
After purchasing both, I went home and began to cut and adjust pieces to make my ladybug come to life. I
paired the black skirt with a simple tank top I already owned and used shoes from my closet; no need to buy new ones. I turned the blouse backwards, cut down the middle and sides, and tied it in the back for a fun DIY fit. Luckily, I had some black ribbon at home to add a cute finishing touch.
To top it off, I made my antennae using a headband and pipe cleaners. If you don’t have those items at home, you can easily grab them at a local Dollar General with the remaining three dollars of your $10 budget.
My second $10 thrift store costume was a pirate. For this one, I found a white shirt for $1.99, another black skirt for $2.99, and a red blouse for $2.99.
I cut the blouse down the middle to create that classic pirate look. Then, I used a pair of boots I already owned to pair everything together.
To accessorize, I added some gold jewelry and a black belt from home and made an eye patch using paper and ribbon. If you want to take it up a notch, you can always find a toy sword or hat at a dollar store, too.
These two costumes show just how easy and fun it is to reuse and recycle clothing to make creative Halloween looks. Thrifting not only saves you money but also helps reduce waste and pollution.
After Halloween, you can donate any uncut clothes, or just keep them to
wear yourself. Every little choice like this makes a difference.
This haunting season, challenge yourself to think sustainably and show off your creativity instead of contributing to the ever-growing waste problem in the U.S. After all, the scariest thing about Halloween shouldn’t be the harm done to the planet.
