Thrifting for Halloween and Other Costumes
“But it’s September! Shouldn’t you post this in October?”
No, and I’ll tell you why.
The last time you walked into one of those pop-up Halloween superstores, how many costumes did you even see that come in an XL size? Even if you do find something that fits, those cheap fabrics don’t look good on anyone, but they look especially awful on anyone above a small.
Since this started as a Thrifting While Fat column, I bet you can guess what solution I’m going to recommend. Thrifting for costume pieces, or any specific piece of clothing, can definitely take a while. When it comes to Halloween, you probably want to start now if you haven’t already.
The first thing to think about when you’re getting ready for Halloween is what kind of costume you want. Where are you going to wear it? Do you want something that you can wear in the office on Halloween, something for the wild Halloween parties your friends throw, or something you can wear trick-or-treating with the kids? What’s the weather likely to be on Halloween? (As a kid I once carefully chose a belly dancer costume, only to have to switch to a country singer at the last minute because it was snowing and a flannel shirt and jeans was more practical.)
Now that you have a vague idea of what you need (pants? sleeves? office-appropriate?), head out to your very favorite thrift store, the one that has the best selection of things you like and can wear. Go by yourself or with a friend, whichever you prefer, but make sure you have a lot of time, because you’re gonna browse your heart out.
You’re looking at everything. Men’s and women’s, robes, coats, fancy dresses, anything that will fit you. What you’re looking for is that moment of inspiration — that spark that says “oh hey that looks like something a Disney princess would wear at college” or “what a gorgeous ren faire look that would make” or “man what a great steampunk vest” or “that dress is so old Hollywood.”
If you have a concept you’re stuck on, try to think of ways to interpret it via everyday clothes. For ideas, Liz’s Anatomy of Adaptation is a great place to start. For example, my spouse and I are dressing the baby as the Hulk this year (a costume that started because we found a tiny pair of purple shorts) and we’re planning to keep our costumes extremely casual — a Captain America t-shirt for me and an arc reactor under a classic metal band shirt for them. Easy to source, comfortable for running after the baby, and easy to adapt to the weather by layering.
Of course, simple costumes are not for everyone. If you want something more obvious a costume, you’ll probably find your inspiration in either the uniform section or formalwear. Formal dresses and suits can be accessorized from your friendly neighborhood pop-up Halloween store or at the thrift, with makeup and jewelry turning the same costume into a Victorian vampire, a fashionable movie star, or a steampunk adventurer. Accessories are your friend. Many thrift stores actually stock costume accessories at this time of year, so you can compare accessories and clothing pieces at the same store.
The holy grail is, of course, to learn to sew or make friends with someone who does. Even if you’re not making costumes from scratch, if you can modify a neckline or tailor something to fit you, your options open up immensely. No matter what, though, the goal remains the same: find a costume you’re comfortable in, that looks good and feels good without spending a fortune.
Originally published at www.dressingthespectrum.com on September 15, 2015.
