Now that it’s October, everyone is on the hunt for thrift store Halloween costume ideas. And it makes sense—the thrift store is the best place to find your spooky celebration outfit. Why buy something brand new when you could buy it secondhand? Most costumes bought at big retail stores like Spirit Halloween and Party City are worn once before being donated or more likely, thrown into a landfill. But when you DIY your costume at the thrift store, you’re not only giving new life to used items but also making a purchase you’re more likely to use again and again.
Now, while DIYing your costume sounds great in theory, a lot of people struggle to pull something cohesive together while shopping. That’s why we’ve put together this list of 5 fail-proof Halloween costume ideas you’re sure to find at the thrift store.
The Decade Icon
Skip those bagged Halloween costumes with descriptions like “Groovy Hippy” or “90s Grunge Rocker” and opt for a more authentic decade representation. Every decade from the 1950s to the early 2000s has a distinct aesthetic. And the thrift store is the best place to find clothing from every era. Plus, if you pick a decade of fashion that you’re unfamiliar with, you might find you like it. It’s a great way to add new and unique pieces to your wardrobe.
Barbie & Ken
Come on Barbie, let’s go thrifting. If you’re looking for a fun and easy costume you can build using your own style, look no further than Barbie and Ken. While Barbie is known for bright pink fashion, the style icon is also known for self-expression and creativity. That means trying those crazy patterns you might not have considered before or picking the all-over sparkly dress and pairing it all with a cowboy hat. Barbie and Ken are whoever you want them to be. You can model your Halloween costume after one of the doll’s classic outfits, or you can just choose items that make you feel like Barbie or Ken.
Punny Halloween Costumes
A trip to the thrift store is all about seeing what’s there and working with what they have. And that’s what pun costumes are all about. Think of a word pun. Any word pun. Maybe deviled eggs, and ask yourself how you could bring that to life in the thrift store. It would probably involve elements of a white shirt with a DIY egg yolk on the front and devil horns for your head. But the puns don’t stop there. You could be a formal apology. Dress up in a suit and write the word “SORRY” on a tie. Another idea, tie a bunch of stuffed animals to an umbrella and be “It’s Raining Cats And Dogs” With so many sayings and puns, your costume possibilities are endless.
Any Halloween Costume With A Flannel
From an ax-swinging lumberjack with a full beard and beanie hat to Rosie The Riveter with a red bandana and bright red lipstick, flannels are one of the most versatile DIY costume accessories. Both men and women can find something unique and easy to throw together with the right flannel. Cowboy, hipster, scarecrow, or anything else your imagination can dream up. Plus, flannels are a great staple to keep in your closet long after Halloween ends.
The Bride
You’d be surprised how many wedding dresses you can find at the thrift store. And if you don’t want something that formal, the secondhand stores are never short on white dresses of all styles. But this DIY costume idea isn’t simply throwing on a white dress and calling yourself a bride. No, this idea is all about spiffing up the dress with other accessories to create a unique costume no one else will have. For example, pair the wedding dress with running shoes and a marathon bib and you’re a “Runaway Bride.” Do your hair with a long white stripe and draw cracks on your skin with costume makeup and suddenly you’re the “Bride of Frankenstein.”
