The most eco and budget friendly tips for fantastic Halloween costumes is to make your own. Whether you’re crafty or not, you can go as elaborate or a simple as you like. Plus you will avoid hearing, “OMG, we’re wearing the same costume” at any spooky festivities!
Personally, I love to raid local thrift stores or hit up garage sales year round. I not only get great inspiration but we save a lot of moola by not buying pre-packaged costumes. I put together my costume by just recycling people’s discarded clothes and jazzing it up with wigs and accessories. If you or a friend has a sewing machine, you can alter and embellish the garments for a unique disguise.
And if you really want to play it cheap and/or clever, plays on words are great. Use a big box and decorate it to look like your favorite cereal. Cut a holes out for your head and arms, grab a plastic knife & be a cereal killer! Or cheaper yet, tease your hair & pin socks and underwear to your clothes and voila, you’re static cling!
Here are just a few costumes I’ve done for way less than what you would pay for a store bought costume:
- Zombie – Bought an old $5 bridesmaids dress at Salvation Army that I dragged on my driveway and dirtied up. Added some Halloween moss, a cheap wig from Rite Aid, some makeup & done!
- Bonnie & Clyde – Outfit from hat to shoes was pieced together at a thrift store. Toy gun & wig found at Rite Aid! (I never pay for the expensive wigs)
- Time Magazine Photo of Nurse & Sailor – Another great thrift store find! I went to a few to find all the pieces. I found the wig there as well, it was ratty so I tamed it & styled it with pin curls ; )
- Greek Goddess – An old bed sheet pinned at all the right places made for a fun Grecian gown. Grabbed some reject flowers from Michael’s as well as 2 wing appliques for the arm bands.
No matter what you want to be, there are so many ways to do it in a green, cheap and unique way! Have a crafty Halloween!!
