6 Sustainable Halloween Costumes: Ideas to Inspire You
Halloween is the perfect time to get creative, and with sustainability in mind, you can craft an amazing costume without buying anything new. Here are six classic costume ideas—The Skeleton, The Devil, The Doll, The Witch, The Goddess, and The Scary Child—along with tips on how to make them as eco-friendly as possible by repurposing items you already have.
1. The Skeleton
A timeless Halloween favorite, the skeleton costume is simple yet spooky. Use an old black outfit as your base—leggings and a turtleneck work perfectly—and paint or sew white bones on the fabric. If you have face paint, create a skeletal face, or make a mask from recycled cardboard.
Sustainable Tip: Repurpose an old black T-shirt or any black clothing and use white fabric scraps or chalk to create the bones.
2. The Devil
For a devilish look, pull out anything red from your wardrobe—dresses, pants, or tops—and pair them with some DIY horns. You can easily make horns using cardboard and cover them in red fabric or paper. Complete the look with dark lipstick and eyeliner for a sinister vibe.
Sustainable Tip: Make a tail by stuffing old socks or fabric scraps and attaching them to a belt or safety pin on your costume.
3. The Doll
The creepy doll costume is easy to create with an old dress or outfit that you no longer wear. To enhance the eerie effect, exaggerate your makeup—draw large eyes and add fake cracks on your face using black eyeliner. Braids or pigtails complete the doll-like appearance.
Sustainable Tip: Check your wardrobe for old, frilly clothing or upcycle a child’s dress for the costume.
4. The Witch
A classic witch costume is simple to put together. Start with black clothing and add a DIY witch hat made from cardboard or fabric. For accessories, gather twigs to create a broomstick, and don’t forget to add dark makeup and messy hair for a mystical look.
Sustainable Tip: Instead of buying a new broomstick or accessories, gather materials from nature like branches, or repurpose a regular hat by adding DIY embellishments.
5. The Goddess
Channel a timeless, ethereal goddess by repurposing a flowing white or pastel dress. Add a homemade crown from leaves, flowers, or gold-painted cardboard, and accessorize with jewelry you already own. You can also drape a scarf or sheet over your shoulders for an added dramatic effect.
Sustainable Tip: Use fabric scraps or an old sheet to create a draped, Grecian-style look without purchasing anything new.
6. The Scary Child
An eerie, unsettling costume idea, the scary child can be pulled together with oversized children’s clothes or pajamas. Mess up your hair, smear on some makeup to create a pale, haunted look, and carry a worn-out toy for added effect.
Sustainable Tip: Borrow or repurpose old children’s clothes, or even upcycle your own oversized T-shirts for this unsettling look.
By using items you already have at home, you can craft a creative and spooky costume while keeping Halloween sustainable. Instead of buying new items, focus on repurposing clothing, DIY accessories, and even nature’s materials. Your sustainable costume will not only look fantastic but will also help reduce waste during the Halloween season!