Halloween costumes are wreaking havoc on the environment, and here’s how.
- 83% of Halloween costumes end up in landfills each year. That’s right—those sparkly witches and superhero suits don’t magically disappear after October 31st. They stick around… for a long time.
- Costumes generate 12 million pounds of textile waste in the U.S. annually. Think about it: all those costumes, capes, and wigs pile up in landfills, breaking down (or not) for years to come.
- 83% of pre-packaged costumes are made of oil-based plastic materials, meaning they’re designed for single use and destined for a landfill near you. That vampire cape might as well come with a “not-so-eco-friendly” label.
The Eco-Nightmare: Why Halloween Costumes Are a Real Monster
Halloween costumes are fun, but they’re essentially made from plastic. And we all know plastic doesn’t just vanish after we toss it. These costumes are often made of synthetic materials like polyester and nylon—both of which are derived from oil. This means that after your costume party is over, those materials take hundreds of years to decompose, all while releasing harmful microplastics into the environment.
Then there’s the sheer volume of it all. $4.1 billion was spent on costumes in 2023. This year, Americans are expected to spend $108 per person on Halloween costumes—$1.4 billion on kids’ costumes, $2 billion on adult costumes, and $700 million on pets! It’s clear we’ve turned Halloween into a fashion frenzy. And unfortunately, most of these costumes are worn once, then forgotten—or worse, thrown away.
Don’t Be Spooked—There Are Solutions!
Now, before you panic and swear off Halloween altogether, there’s good news: You don’t have to give up on costumes to save the planet. There are plenty of fun, creative ways to dress up without contributing to the mountain of waste that Halloween leaves behind. Ready to get stylishly spooky and sustainably on point this Halloween? Let’s dive into some easy (and stylish) DIY costume ideas made from items you probably already have at home—or can find at your local thrift store.
1. Lumberjack
- What you need: Flannel shirt, jeans or overalls, boots, and a beanie or hat.
- Thrift shop finds: Flannel shirts and boots are thrift store staples.
- Bonus points: Carry an (optional) foam axe to complete the look.
2. Clark Kent (Superman)
- What you need: Button-up shirt, a tie, black-rimmed glasses, and a Superman T-shirt underneath.
- Thrift shop finds: A cheap button-up shirt and glasses can easily be found at a secondhand store.
- Bonus points: Unbutton your shirt halfway to reveal the Superman logo underneath.
3. 80s Workout Instructor
- What you need: Colorful gym shorts, a tank top or T-shirt, sweatbands, and sneakers.
- Thrift shop finds: Retro workout clothes are often found in thrift stores, especially gym shorts and sweatbands.
- Bonus points: Add a headband and carry a jump rope for extra flair.
4. Tom Cruise from Risky Business
- What you need: A large white button-up shirt, white socks, and sunglasses.
- From your closet: You probably already own these items!
- Bonus points: Slide across the floor just like in the movie.
5. The Dude from The Big Lebowski
- What you need: A bathrobe, pajama pants or loose shorts, a T-shirt, and flip-flops.
- Thrift shop finds: Find an oversized robe and some comfy pants.
- Bonus points: Carry a cup as your “White Russian.”
6. Men in Black Agent (or Woman)
- What you need: Black suit, white shirt, black tie, and sunglasses. Or you can see I just dressed all in black with cool glasses. If I added cat ears, I could also be Cat Woman with this fit.
- Thrift shop finds: A black suit and sunglasses are usually easy to find at thrift stores.
- Bonus points: Carry a “neuralyzer” (any small silver gadget will do!).
7. Marty McFly from Back to the Future
- What you need: A denim jacket, red puffer vest, plaid shirt, jeans, and sneakers.
- Thrift shop finds: Denim jackets and plaid shirts are easy thrift store pickups.
- Bonus points: Find an old-school digital watch or skateboard for added nostalgia.
8. Classic Detective
- What you need: Trench coat, button-up shirt, and a fedora or detective hat.
- Thrift shop finds: Look for a trench coat and classic hat.
- Bonus points: Carry a magnifying glass or a notepad for detective-style props.
9. James Dean
- What you need: A white T-shirt, leather jacket, jeans, and boots.
- Thrift shop finds: Leather jackets and classic jeans can often be found in thrift stores.
- Bonus points: Style your hair with some pomade for that vintage look.
10. Steve Jobs
- What you need: Black turtleneck, jeans, and sneakers.
- From your closet: You likely already have a pair of jeans and sneakers.
- Bonus points: Carry an old iPhone or iPad as a prop.
11. Think Pink: Elle Woods from Legally Blonde
- What you need: Pink dresses, accessories, and all things fabulous.
- Thrift shop finds: Look for anything pink—dresses, blazers, and shoes—thrift stores are filled with great options.
- Bonus points: Okay, you can’t have my dog Scarlett, she would suffer from separation anxiety but you could add a tiny stuffed dog to complete the Elle Woods look!
12. Embrace the Barbie Craze
- What you need: Pink clothes, oversized sunglasses, bows, and glamorous accessories.
- Thrift shop finds: Pink clothes and accessories are easy thrift store finds. You can go all-out or mix and match pieces you already own.
- Bonus points: Add a bit of sparkle or a classic Barbie hairstyle for extra flair.
13. The Timeless Witch or Ghost
- What you need: For a witch—an all-black outfit, a DIY hat, and some dark lipstick. For a ghost—all you need is a white sheet. Maybe some sunglasses to make you extra cool. Just be careful because your vision may be inhibited a bit.
- Thrift shop finds: Black clothes or an old sheet are easily found at thrift shops.
- Bonus points: A DIY witch hat or spooky face paint will take these simple costumes to the next level.
14. Vampire
- What you need: A black dress or outfit, dramatic makeup, and red lipstick for a “bloody” effect.
- Thrift shop finds: Black clothes are easy to find in thrift stores, especially a slinky black dress.
- Bonus points: Style with pin-straight hair, black/blood red nails, boots, black eyeshadow, and a red lip for that vampy look.
15. Alien
- What you need: Anything shiny or metallic, sequins, or glitter for an abstract and futuristic look. DIY a headpiece with foil or a thrifted helmet.
- Thrift shop finds: Look for clothes with sequins, metallic materials, or anything that looks out-of-this-world!
- Bonus points: Add space buns, pigtails, or a high ponytail with shimmery makeup to complete the look.
16. Werewolf
- What you need: Ripped jeans, an old ratty shirt, and wild, big hair.
- Thrift shop finds: Jeans with rips and old shirts are easy to thrift, or you can tear up a shirt you already have.
- Bonus points: Add big bushy eyebrows, long nails, and dirty boots to complete the transformation.
17. 1970s Flower Child
- What you need: Flowy bell-bottom pants or a long skirt, a loose-fitting blouse, and lots of boho accessories. Fringe, Fringe, Fringe!
- Thrift shop finds: Look for vintage floral prints, earthy tones, fringe jackets, and anything crochet. Bell-bottoms and peasant tops are often easy to find at thrift stores.
18. School Girl
- What you need: A plaid skirt, white button-up shirt, tie, and knee-high socks for a classic schoolgirl look.
- Thrift shop finds: Plaid skirt and a button-up shirt are thrift store staples. You can easily find a tie, maybe knee socks and/or leg warmers.
19. 1920s Icon
- What you need: A fringe or sparkly dress, a long string of pearls, and a headband to capture that classic 1920s style.
- Thrift shop finds: Search for a dress with sequins, fringe, or beads—anything that feels glamorous and vintage. Add some long gloves if you find them!
- Bonus points: DIY your own headpiece by attaching feathers or pearls to a headband or ribbon, and finish the look with a bold red lip and smoky eye makeup for that roaring twenties vibe!
20. Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz
- What you need: A blue and white gingham dress, bobby socks, and a pair of red shoes (any shade of red will do for that magical touch). As you can see I only had red boots. It still works.
- Thrift shop finds: Look for a vintage or thrifted gingham dress, or you can even pair a white blouse with a blue skirt to recreate the look. Red shoes are easy to find, and you can add a bit of sparkle if you’re feeling crafty!
- Bonus points: Carry a stuffed dog in a picnic basket to stand in for Toto (since my dog Scarlett prefers to stay at home with me). Complete the look with braided pigtails and you’ll be ready to follow the yellow brick road!
DOG COSTUME IDEAS:
- Cowboy Dog
- Upcycled material: A thrifted or old bandana and a small toy cowboy hat (easily found in thrift stores or from old costume accessories).
- How to make it: Simply tie the bandana around your dog’s neck and place the hat on their head (make sure it’s secure but comfortable).
- Bonus points: If you have leftover fabric, you can make a little lasso to carry around as part of the costume.
- Rockstar Dog
- Upcycled material: An old band T-shirt (that you or a friend doesn’t wear anymore), and any accessories like old sunglasses or costume jewelry from thrift stores.
- How to make it: Put the T-shirt on your dog, tie a knot at the back to make it fit, and accessorize with sunglasses and necklaces.
- Bonus points: Tease your dog’s fur a little to give them that classic rockstar vibe!
- Flower Power Pup
- Upcycled material: Silk flowers from an old bouquet, wreath, or thrifted floral decorations.
- How to make it: Attach the flowers to a headband or string (upcycle a broken headband or use string from an old hoodie). Place the floral crown gently on your dog’s head.
- Bonus points: Use an old scarf as a matching bandana to complete the flower-child vibe.
Thrift Stores: Your Sustainable Costume Goldmine
If you do need to shop, consider hitting up your local thrift store. Nearly 53% of DIY costume creators shop at second hand stores like Goodwill, which not only saves you money but also helps reduce waste. Thrift stores are packed with hidden gems that can be turned into one-of-a-kind costumes—plus, it’s way more fun than buying something off the rack!
Repair, Don’t Replace
Got an old costume gathering dust in your closet? Bring it back to life with a few easy fixes. Sew on a missing button, patch up a tear, or add new accessories to give it a fresh spin. You don’t need to buy a new costume every year—sometimes, all it takes is a little creativity to make an old costume feel brand new.
So, How Do We Make Halloween Fun and Sustainable?
The key is to get creative and think outside the (plastic) box. Halloween is supposed to be fun, but that doesn’t mean it has to come at the expense of the planet or put a huge dent in your budget. By repurposing old clothes, shopping second hand, and skipping the single-use costumes, you can have a killer outfit and keep the environment in mind.
This Halloween, let’s ditch the fast-fashion costumes and go for something that’s both stylish and sustainable. After all, the real scare isn’t the ghosts and goblins—it’s the environmental impact we leave behind.
If you have any questions, please contact me at LexySilverstein@lexysilverstein.
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