Bringing costumes back from the dead: A secondhand guide to Halloween

As Halloween nears, so does the hassle of finding a costume. 

Halloween is a thrilling season from start to finish, with eerie decorations, free candy and a night of pretend. What’s not to love? Well, maybe the prep. Finding a costume you love that is affordable and comfortable can feel like its own horror movie. 

With the rise of fast fashion and the speed of style trends cycling in and out, costumes have gotten pricier while coming up with unique ideas has become harder. Having the same Halloween costume is a fear, but spending a fortune on something you’ll wear once is the true nightmare. Instead, using what you already own or buying secondhand can save you from matching with someone else.

There’s nothing more satisfying than putting together a successful secondhand costume, and it is much easier than you think. Wondering where to start? Look to your local thrift store. 

If you pay a visit to the nearest Goodwill, Salvation Army or any local thrift store around Halloween, you’ll probably be greeted by a rack of costumes. That’s a good place to start looking, but it’s not always where you’ll find the most avant-garde pieces. Instead, look for sequins, dark going-out tops and dresses. One piece could spark a costume idea or may be the missing item in your next look. 

Finding one accessory or article of clothing and creating a costume out of it has become part of my costume-building technique. This process works for almost any costume you’d like to create. A haunted bride? Find a white dress and a piece of lace from a shirt or skirt to cut into a veil. Cowgirl or cowboy? Pair your favorite jeans with a flannel, fringed shirt, bandana or boots. A mime? Striped long-sleeve shirts are at every thrift store.  

These are just a few ideas, but you could take almost any costume and find pieces at the thrift store or online. I’ve had even more luck with online platforms like Depop or Poshmark. 

I purchased my favorite sailor costume from Poshmark for $25. For being manufactured in the early 2000s, it was in great condition and is now discontinued. After wearing it for two Halloweens, I decided to list it on Depop so someone else could wear and enjoy it. 

As someone who frequents online marketplace sites each year, I suggest looking up keywords like Y2K, LegAvenue, sequins, rhinestone, velour, embellished, 2000s and vintage costume when starting your costume search.

You might even score a popular and typically overpriced costume, secondhand on Depop. I’ve come across dozens of costumes that originally sold for more than $100. After one wear, sellers can list them for a fraction of the price. What makes the app even more thrilling is the opportunity buyers have to bargain with sellers.

Jane Leo, a second-year at Syracuse University, has had a positive experience negotiating with sellers on online platforms. 

“On both platforms [Depop and Poshmark], I have been able to negotiate the price of items to meet my budget as well,” Leo said. “Purchasing items for Halloween costumes off of secondhand websites gives me unique items that others may not have, offering a more personalized, distinctive outfit.” 

There are also options for you to resell after Halloween is over. SU student Kylie Centin enjoys selling on Depop because of how easy the process is. 

“Depop also makes selling a really easy process because once someone buys one of my items, I just need to print the label the site makes for me and stick it to the package,” Centin said. “I choose to sell because usually the clothing I buy for my Halloween costumes I’m never going to wear again. So reselling is an easy way to make back some of the money I spent while helping out other people.”

This Halloween, don’t go for the overpriced costume; bring your creativity back from the dead and challenge yourself. With some imagination, you can turn any secondhand find into a great costume.