With Halloween just around the corner, many people are scrolling the internet for last-minute costume ideas or making quick trips to Spirit Halloween in preparation for the spooky holiday.
For college students, Halloween has become more than a single day of celebration. The holiday is now often spread out over an entire week, which means, for some, multiple events and costumes. While it’s fun to dress up, that can take a toll on both your wallet and the environment, especially for an outfit you'll most likely only wear once.
Though websites such as Shein and Amazon, as well as stores like Spirit Halloween, offer fast and sometimes cheap options, they can be wasteful. Roughly 83% of Halloween costumes are made from non-recyclable, oil-based plastics, which contributes to 2,000 tons of plastic waste that end up in landfills.
Halloween is also an expensive holiday. Americans spend an estimated $10.6 billion a year on costumes, candy, and decorations. For many college students, that cost is out of reach, but celebrating sustainably can be both affordable and creative.
So, what makes a Halloween costume sustainable? In short, your intentions. Choosing materials, sources and items that lower waste and promote reuse can help the holiday be less environmentally damaging.
Here are some tips for making more sustainable costume choices.
Shop in your own closet
While it might not be as exciting as buying something new, your own closet often holds hidden treasures full of potential. With a bit of creativity, you can put together unique and personal costumes with items you already own. Even just a few pieces from your own wardrobe can bring down the overall cost of a costume.
Upcycle old clothing
Upcycling and thrifting are great ways to repurpose old items into something new. A thrifted white blouse can fit into a pirate costume, an old dress can be cut into the perfect fairy costume, and scraps fabric can be turned into one-of-a-kind accessories such hair bands. The possibilities are endless, and each upcycled piece helps reduce textile waste.
Thrift stores such as Goodwill and Plato’s Closet are great places to start when looking for costume basics. For more unique vintage-finds, Bloomington offers some more specific stores such as The Cat's Closet, and the Bloomington Antique Mall.
Borrow from friends
Swapping and borrowing costumes among friends is a great way to share creativity and cut down on waste. A borrowed hat, skirt or pair of shoes might be just what you need to elevate your outfit into the perfect costume, and it saves money and resources in the process.
There are plenty of costumes you can make using all the different tips listed above. Here are some examples.
1. “Challengers" (2024)
The 2024 sports romance “Challengers," explores a toxic love triangle between three tennis players. Josh O’Connor’s character Patrick Zweig wears a gray T-shirt with “I told ya” written on it and black shorts, while Mike Faist’s Art Donaldson sports a red tennis outfit. With Zendaya’s character Tashi Duncan in a white tennis dress, these looks can easily be recreated from everyday clothing.
2. Charli XCX ("Brat" era)
The Grammy-winning British singer-songwriter Charli XCX and the face of “Brat Summer,” offers an effortless iconic costume. In her “360” music video, she wears black tights, black shorts and a white tank top, simple pieces that can be borrowed, thrifted or easily found in your closet.
3. Bill from "Schoolhouse Rock!”
Going old-school with the way most of us learned how a bill becomes law, the famous song, “I’m Just a Bill,” from “Schoolhouse Rock!,” makes a great costume. This look is nostalgic, easy and affordable. All you need is a white outfit, and a simple red, white and blue button, and you too can become a bill.
4. Clark Kent ("Superman")
A timeless staple costume is newly relevant once more, with the 2025 “Superman” remake bringing back the popularity of the beloved superhero. A simple Superman t-shirt with a white button down and glasses creates an easily recognizable classic, that you can thrift ahead of time or make at the last minute.
5. Fancy Nancy
A childhood classic, “Fancy Nancy” is the perfect choice for those who prefer sparkles over spooky. Layering dresses, tutus, boas and jewelry for a maximalist, quirky look is all you need to make the costume work. Most can be found thrifted, borrowed or repurposed since there really is no specific piece you need. Not only will this costume help you connect with your inner child, but also with your inner environmentalist.
Halloween is about creativity and self-expression, and that doesn't have to come at the planet's expense. Whether you’re borrowing from your friends, thrifting, or crafting from what you already, choosing a sustainable costume may seem like minor decision, but it adds up.
