Thrift or Treat: A Sustainable Spin on Iconic Halloween Looks

Halloween may be the one night a year when everyone becomes someone else, but this time, I wanted to do it without the plastic packaging or overnight shipping label. In a world of last-minute Amazon costumes and Shein hauls, there’s something refreshingly chic about creating a look that feels personal—and actually sustainable.

This year, I turned to Depop’s new Create Your Own Outfit feature, a tool that lets you build head-to-toe looks using secondhand pieces from real people’s closets. Think of it as digital thrifting with the polish of a stylist’s mood board—allowing you to mix vintage, thrifted, and preloved finds into something entirely your own.

I used it to recreate four cult-favorite looks from pop culture, each pulled together entirely from thrifted listings.

First up: Carrie Bradshaw, the patron saint of New York romance and chaos. A silky white cami meets a blush satin maxi skirt, the ensemble anchored by her signature Carrie necklace and finished with a pair of vintage Manolo Blahniks—listed for just $35. The outfit channels the unforgettable scene when she’s calling Big (who’s probably moving to Paris).

Then there’s Tyler Durden, the chaotic anti-hero from Fight Club—a walking embodiment of rebellion wrapped in red leather and cigarette smoke. His style is pure anarchy: vintage graphic tees, bold patterned shirts, tinted sunglasses, and that infamous scarlet jacket that radiates unapologetic cool. Every piece feels scavenged, lived-in, and entirely intentional in its imperfection. For my reimagined version, I pulled together listings that capture his thrift-store-meets-underground aesthetic—think a beat-up faux leather jacket, retro shades, and a perfectly worn graphic tee that looks like it’s survived a few bar fights. 

Mia Wallace, from the iconic film Pulp Fiction, trades her sleek film noir flats for chunky Doc Marten platform oxfords, paired with a crisp white button-down and black mini skirt. The look channels her effortless cool and sharp wit—the same mysterious confidence that made her a pop culture icon—giving a subtle nod to her unforgettable twist dance scene, where her style and attitude moved perfectly in sync.

And of course, Freddie Mercury—the master of understated showmanship and one of rock’s most magnetic frontmen. As the legendary voice of Queen, Freddie turned every stage into a spectacle, blending theatrical flair with raw, commanding presence. His Live Aid look remains one of fashion’s most unforgettable moments: light-wash denim, a fitted white tank, and that bold, gleaming belt buckle. It was simple, yet somehow louder than any sequin jumpsuit. 

Each outfit carries a story: a dress worn to someone else’s first date, boots that walked another city’s streets, a jacket once loved and now ready for its next chapter. Piecing them together turned costume-making into something almost intimate—part styling

exercise, part storytelling.

Depop’s new feature makes sustainability feel less like a trend and more like an art form. You’re not just buying clothes; you’re curating moments, remixing nostalgia, and creating something that feels genuinely yours.

Sure, fast fashion can deliver a costume in 24 hours. But the thrill of building one yourself—piece by piece—is far more satisfying. And when November arrives, you’ll still want to wear what you found, not hide it in a closet until next year.

This Halloween, skip the panic haul. Open Depop, start styling, and build a costume that feels as conscious as it is iconic.

Written by: Lara Hagans

Edited by: Savannah Wagner