Do Costumes Better!
As Halloween is quickly approaching and you’re pondering last-minute costume ideas- the BORED team is here to help. Whether you’re worried about staying warm or contemplating your budget we’ve got some tips!
Keep it sustainable:
Halloween tends to have quite the reputation of waste- but it doesn’t have to! It’s typically best to stay away from one-time-wear pieces in general, but this can admittedly get a little tricky when you’re not dressing as yourself. The best thing you can do to avoid this pitfall of the holiday is to seek out individual pieces rather than a complete costume.
Search through your closet (and your friend’s closets!) for pieces, take a trip to the thrift store (we’ll explore this option more later in the blog!), and get crafty. I can assure you that most accessories you need for your costumes can be created with some scrap fabric, pipe cleaners, and a little magic. However you piece together your vision, I encourage you to make it personal, custom, and something you can deconstruct and wear again!
Keep it warm:
As a survivor of multiple long and treacherous walks back to campus on chilly Halloween nights, I know a thing or two about keeping it toasty without sacrificing a good outfit. Personally, the last thing I want to do is walk 20 minutes uphill with numb fingers and toes. While your response to this may be, “I’ll get and Uber!”, we both know that night-of you might just feel brave enough to take a trek in the cold.
If you plan on donning a miniskirt for your costume as many of us do, I highly recommend investing in a pair of fleece-lined tights if you still have time. If you’re concerned about the look of tights clashing with your outfit (i get it) don’t fear! There are many faux-sheer fleece lined tights on the market. When it comes to layers in general, whether it be fleece tights, gloves, hats, or thermals, the ultimate stash away solution is to incorporate a bag or pockets into your costume. I know a party may not be the best place to leave loose items but even a small purse can fit your layers if you’re smart about it! (Pro-tip: host festivities at your place and stay nice and toasty)
Keep it affordable:
Halloween does not have to (and probably should not) break the bank, especially for us college students. Purchasing a premade (and possibly cheaply made) 50-60$ costume is not only unsustainable for the planet, but also for our wallets. If you’re anything like me, you need a different costume for every night. Those numbers can really start to rack up if you don’t get creative. A cute dress or funky vest you have in the back of your closet can truly be the base of 50 different costumes!
Can’t find a thing? Thrift stores are always my solution if it’s something I can’t create. While a spectacular piece could be found for your outfit anywhere, if you’re looking for more costumey pieces I have some destination recommendations! Battery Street Jeans is stocked with secondhand full costumes, funky pieces, wigs, accessories and more right at the front of their store. Down on Church Street, Hunny Mustard boasts a spectacular Halloween-inspired vintage collection by their doorway. Finally, The SandBox is running a free costume swap from October 23 through November 6 to reduce waste that Halloween creates in our landfills. While there are certainly many other affordable costume destinations around the area, these are some of my favorites!
Keep it respectful:
When considering costumes for this season, please remember that what you wear can have an impact. Another individual’s identity, disability, or culture is not your costume. There are so many fabulous potential costumes out there for you to explore, that harm should be easily avoidable. Hold yourself and your friends accountable for potentially offensive costume choices! Not sure if your costume will have a harmful impact? The infographic above by UVM’s Center for Health and Wellbeing is a great place to start.
