Every Halloween we want to have a costume that is recognizable and on trend, but we fail to consider how much of an impact buying a new costume has on our planet. In fact, the United states alone produces over 5.4 million kilograms of textile waste just from Halloween costumes (Waste Managed). Not to say I’m not guilty of this yearly overconsumption, but entering the college Halloween scene really made me realize how much we waste. I hear discussions between friends about how they need three different costumes for each night they go out, or how they are placed an order or Amazon or Shein without considering the ramifications their purchases can have on those making the clothing, or the environment after they dispose of the clothing.
Halloween is quite the plastic filled season with candy wrappers being thrown about, and cheap decorations that don’t last until next fall. Granted, you can’t expect to walk into a Spirit Halloween and find a costume made out of recycled materials, but there are better ways to go about your festivities. These cheap costumes aren’t made to be comfortable or last you past the 31st, so why not opt for an alternative method.
One of the options I suggest, and have implemented in my costume planning, is working with what you already have. Whether you want to center your costume around a unique piece you’ve picked up over the years, or build something out of clothing items you never would have thought to put together. This is always the most sustainable, and frankly, easiest way to put together a costume that you know looks good on you, and doesn’t cost you anything. For the year 2021 it was predicted that Americans would spend $3.32 billion on Halloween costumes alone, so why not work with something you already have (Chenevert).
Now you might be thinking, how could I make something out of what I already own, there’s nothing spooky about my wardrobe. In that case, I present another option: borrow from a friend! It is always fun to go through a friend’s closet and borrow a piece from time to time, but going “shopping” in a pal’s closet might be just what you need to spark an idea for your costume. You can even have a few friends bring some clothes over and exchange what works for each other’s costumes, so everybody wins.
I know that working with your current closet, and maybe even a friend’s, may not be ideal for your costume dreams, and in that case I urge you to shop second hand before turning to fast fashion and party stores. Thrifting can not only save you some money, but also gives you special pieces that can be just the right fit for your costume. Finding a cute top is easy when you go to H&M or Urban, but finding that one piece that makes your costume special is rare in these stores, so thrift! You’re far more likely to find a hidden treasure at a Goodwill as opposed to a store that sells the same shirt in 6 colors.
I know it’s easy to fall into these yearly trends of overconsumption, especially in college, but I urge you to try these options before turning to online shopping. Who knows, you may end up finding your best costume yet!
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