Upcycling Halloween Costumes: Celebrating on a budget
Hey! I'm Meg Ann Lee and Halloween is one of my favorite holidays but it's supposed to be fun - not always expensive. Every year, millions of costumes are made from fast fashion fabrics and plastic accessories that end up in the trash after just one night. But here's the thing - You probably already own half of a great costume right in your closet.
We are sticking to a theme lately on the blog if you haven't noticed! This year, I'm challenging myself to upcycle and reuse when I can. It's not about doing Halloween "perfectly," it's about getting creative and reducing waste.
Tips to Keep Halloween Sustainable
Borrow before you buy - ask friends or family for costume pieces they aren't using.
Thrift your base layers - most costumes can be built around basic pieces like denim, a specific colored shirt or dresses.
Reuse or donate after the holiday - give your costume a second life instead of storing it for years. What a great way to support local businesses...there is a handful in EC alone
- Easy DIY + Thrifted Costume Ideas
Funny Solo Costumes:
- Cereal Killer: tape empty mini cereal boxes to a shirt and add fake blood or a toy knife.
- Social Butterfly: wear a cute outfit and add paper printouts of social media icons with butterfly wings.
- When Life Gives You Lemons - wear yellow and carry a basket of lemons or lemon stickers.
- Zombie: Literally can be anything with blood and zombie makeup.
Girly or Trendy Costumes:
- Barbie, But Make It You: any pink outfit works - style it your way and add oversized sunglasses or heels you already have.
- 80s Workout Queen: thrift a colorful windbreaker, add leggings, scrunch socks, and a ponytail.
- Cowgirl Chic: denim, boots, a hat, and lipstick - simple and iconic.
- Elle Woods - pink everything, heels, and a notebook.
Couple or BFF Costumes:
- Bob Ross & Happy Little Tree: one person in jeans with a curly wig and paint palette, the other in green or brown with leaf accessories.
- Danny & Sandy from Grease - leather jacket and black pants, easy to thrift.
- Conrad and Jeramiah: Board shorts and beach towels!
- Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce: use any red outfit or anything with glitter, and a Chiefs jersey.
- Netflix & Chill: one in red (Netflix logo or sweatshirt), one in blue with snowflakes. Easy and funny.
It's easy to get caught up in Halloween trends, but remember - the most creative costumes can also come from what you already own. Celebrating sustainably doesn't mean less fun. It just means celebrating smarter.
Let's make 2025 the year of creative, affordable, and eco-friendly Halloween - because spooky season doesn't have to mean breaking your budget.<3