Wearing a Halloween costume is a tradition cherished by many. When you put on your disguise, you become someone other than yourself. However, this magic ends when the night is over. After Halloween, all you are left with is a few candy wrappers, and the mass-produced scraps of your former fun.
Beyond the excitement, there are serious environmental issues to consider. Halloween costumes are often cheaply made, shipped long distances, and discarded after just one use. The result is a massive waste of costumes contributing to the carbon footprint of fast fashion. With large online retailers like Amazon, shipping alone continues to increase emissions and add to global warming.
Lucky thrifting offers a smart and sustainable solution. By shopping second-hand, you not only save money but also reduce the demand for mass-produced costumes that dominate the holiday and landfills.
Thrifting your Halloween costume is a fun and eco-friendly way to save money while creating a unique look, and it’s easier than most would think.
A good place to start is by deciding what your costume is going to be.
Figuring out what kind of costume you want is a helpful first step, as it will guide the rest of your process. Do you want to be Cinderella, or a more generic princess? If it’s the latter, what time period or style are you imagining? These are the kinds of details to consider as you plan your look.
Once you have an idea, it’s helpful to do some research. Look at how others have interpreted similar costumes, and consider the main goal of your concept. Even if your idea seems straightforward, think about how you might adapt it to fit your personal style. Using a search engine like Google or browsing platforms like Pinterest can bring inspiration for your look.
The next step is to break your costume down into individual pieces. For example, if you’re planning a princess costume, you’ll need a frilly dress of some kind, plus: gloves, a crown, and nice shoes. Making a mental or written note of the items you need ahead of time will help you stay focused while shopping.
While having a list is important, it’s equally crucial to remain flexible. Thrift stores often don’t have exactly what you imagine, so be prepared to adapt your list and consider alternative options that could work just as well.
Before heading out to shop, check your own closet. You might already have clothes or accessories that will work, saving both time and money.
When it’s time to hunt for your costume, keep a few tips in mind. First, thoroughly search through everything. Skimming the racks may cause you to miss hidden gems, and while it can be tedious, the payoff is worth it.
Timing is also key, start your search in mid-September to early October so you have multiple opportunities to visit thrift stores before your costume is needed. Since thrift stock is unpredictable, finding the perfect item in a single visit can be difficult, so it is best to start frequenting stores until you find what you need.
Many shops put out Halloween racks filled with donated costumes and clothing around this time, and going early can give you the best selection.
Next, creativity is essential. Thrift stores rarely provide a perfectly curated costume, so while looking, try to imagine how a piece could be altered or combined with other items to create your ideal look. Consider how simple craft additions like paint, ribbons, lace, beads or sparkles can transform a basic item, allowing you to customize it fully and reducing the stress of finding the “perfect” piece.
It’s also useful to know the types of thrift stores available. General thrift stores feature donated clothes at a lower price and are great for basic items. Boutique style thrift stores tend to be more curated, with unique and specific pieces, including larger costume sections. Prices may be slightly higher, but the selection is often worth it.
In the Truckee Tahoe Region, there are many options, here are a few to get started at:
General thrift stores in Truckee:
- Thrifty Tails Boutique – supports the Truckee Humane Society
- Tahoe Forest Hospice Gift & Thrift – benefits Tahoe Forest Hospital
General thrift stores in Reno:
- Goodwill – provides community support in job training and education
- Savers – for profit organization
- Salvation Army – charity shop that runs various programs for the homeless, people impacted by natural disasters, and providing humanitarian aid.
- SPCA Thrift Store – provides funding for Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Boutique and specialty Stores in Truckee:
- Unique Boutique-Viviane’s Vintage & Vogue – offers eclectic costumes and one-of-a-kind cloths
- Adele’s Attic – vintage clothing focus
Boutique and specialty Stores in Reno:
- Junkies – diverse selection, large stock of costumes
Boutique and specialty Stores in Nevada City:
- Solstice – thrift and second hand costume store
