Store-Bought Halloween Costumes Are So Last Season
Because Who Wants to Look Like Everyone Else?
Every year, as Halloween rolls around, we all know what’s coming—an endless sea of Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders, Barbies, and way too many cats. Sure, they look great, but where’s the thrill in showing up to the party dressed like three other people? It’s like the Halloween version of a high school uniform—no individuality, no spice. You can practically feel the creativity evaporating the moment you step into a costume store, surrounded by the same tired ensembles you’ve seen a thousand times before. Frankly, I’m over it. Sorry, Spirit Halloween.
Halloween isn’t just about grabbing the nearest plastic-wrapped outfit and calling it a day. It's about letting your imagination take the wheel and driving headfirst into a world of fun, absurdity, and unpredictability. It’s the one time of year when the more outrageous, outlandish, and out-there your costume is, the better. Yet somehow, year after year, people continue to play it safe by opting for cookie-cutter, store-bought costumes that scream, “I didn’t have time to think about this.” Please, be more original.
If you’re like me and are ready to break free from this Halloween costume monotony, let me introduce you to your new best friend: thrifting. Yep, I’m talking about skipping the costume aisle altogether and hitting up your local thrift stores. Not only does thrifting save you from dropping a small fortune on something you’ll only wear once, but it also ensures that your costume is 100% original.
Sure, the thought of thrifting a Halloween costume might seem a little daunting. After all, when you're used to having the entire costume handed to you in a neat package, it can feel like stepping into uncharted territory. But don’t worry—what you’re trading in is convenience, and what you’re gaining is endless creative potential. And let’s be real: Halloween is meant to be creative. It’s a holiday that thrives on unexpected and totally out-of-left-field ideas that leave people asking, “How did you come up with that?”
The good news? You don’t have to be a costume designer or DIY expert to pull off a killer thrifted look. With a little bit of inspiration, some open-mindedness, and these tips I’ve lined up for you, thrifting your costume is going to be a whole lot easier (and more fun) than you think. So, let’s ditch the tired, store-bought costumes and dive into the world of thrifted treasures. Who knows—you might just come up with the most memorable costume of the year. Here’s how to thrift your way to a fabulous Halloween costume.
Have an Open Mind
The magic of thrifting lies in its unpredictability—you never know what you’re going to find, and that’s what makes it so exciting! But that also means you need to go in with a flexible mindset. If you walk into a thrift store with a hyper-specific costume idea and expect to find the exact pieces you’ve envisioned, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment. Instead, approach the process with a general concept. Maybe you want to channel a retro '80s star, but you’re open to whether it’s David Bowie or Madonna. Or perhaps you’re dreaming up a modern twist on a classic cartoon character. When you keep your idea loose, you’re more likely to stumble upon unexpected treasures that will spark new creative directions for your costume. The thrill of thrifting comes from letting your imagination shape the pieces you find, not the other way around.
Embrace the Treasure Hunt
One of the golden rules of thrifting is to never limit yourself to the most obvious sections. Sure, the women’s or men’s clothing racks might be your go-to, but Halloween is all about thinking outside the box. That means you should explore every corner of the thrift store. Wander over to the children’s section—you’d be amazed at how some small items, like belts or hats, can serve as quirky accessories. Take a stroll through the home goods aisles too! That embroidered tablecloth could be the cape you never knew you needed, or those curtains might become an elaborate ball gown with a few snips and stitches. Even the fabric section can hold hidden gems—who says a vintage scarf can’t become an avant-garde headpiece? By broadening your search, you open up a world of possibilities that could take your costume to the next level.
Go Big or Go Home
If there’s one thing that separates a standout DIY costume from a run-of-the-mill store-bought one, it’s the attention to detail. Thrifting gives you access to an eclectic range of textures, patterns, and fabrics that you wouldn’t typically find in a pre-packaged costume. Don’t be afraid to layer different materials together for a more dynamic look. Try pairing lace with leather, velvet with sequins, or throw a faux fur vest over a shimmering dress. The combination of unexpected fabrics and bold textures creates depth in your costume and gives it that custom, high-fashion feel. Halloween is the perfect opportunity to go big and make a statement—whether that’s by adding feathers to a witch hat, sewing patches onto a jacket for a punk-rock vibe, or mixing neon colors with metallics for a futuristic edge. Thrift stores are treasure troves for these kinds of unique materials, so don’t hesitate to be daring with your combinations.
Get Crafty
Sometimes the perfect costume piece won’t look perfect right off the rack, and that’s where your DIY skills come into play. Part of the fun of thrifting for Halloween is transforming ordinary items into extraordinary pieces. See a plain jacket? Distress it with sandpaper for an edgy, post-apocalyptic look. Found a dress that’s almost right but missing that wow factor? Add sequins, feathers, or fringe for a costume-worthy upgrade. Even basic items like oversized t-shirts or plain skirts can be reimagined with some scissors, fabric glue, or a little bit of sewing. Don’t be afraid to experiment with modifications—turn a regular shirt into a dramatic crop top or rework a pair of old pants into shorts with fringe or beads. Halloween is the perfect time to get creative and make a costume that’s totally your own, so lean into the process of altering and crafting the pieces you find.
Think Beyond Halloween
One of the best perks of thrifting your costume is that you’re investing in pieces that could become wardrobe staples beyond the spooky season. Instead of throwing away a flimsy, cheaply made store-bought costume on November 1st, you’re left with real clothing items that can be worn again in different contexts. Maybe that oversized blazer you wore for your '80s power suit costume will become your new go-to for work meetings. Thrifting helps you avoid fast fashion waste by offering high-quality, one-of-a-kind pieces that can evolve with your style over time. So as you thrift, think about how your costume elements could live on in your wardrobe or future Halloween looks. Building a costume from thrifted items isn’t just a fun creative challenge—it’s also a sustainable, budget-friendly approach that can keep paying off well after Halloween is over.
For fashion lovers, Halloween is the Super Bowl ;)—a chance to showcase your creativity, style, and personality on the biggest stage of the year. It’s not just about dressing up; it’s about making a statement. That’s why it’s the perfect time to ditch the mass-produced costumes and embrace thrifted, one-of-a-kind pieces that let you express your unique flair. Fashion is all about standing out and making an impression, and Halloween gives you the ultimate opportunity to do just that. So, be bold, be different, and most importantly, be you. Your costume should reflect your individuality, and there’s no better way to do that than by creating something no one else will be wearing.
I won’t lie—not all of my Halloween costumes in the past have been completely thrifted. I’ve definitely fallen victim to the convenience of grabbing something straight off the shelf at a Halloween store. We’ve all been there. But this year is different. This year, I’m fully committed to thrifting as much of my Halloween costume as possible. I can’t spill too many details just yet because I want it to be a surprise, but just know—I’m right in this thrifting challenge with you all. We’re in this together! We got this. <3
XO,
𝒇𝒂𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒇𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒆