10 Halloween Costumes Ideas from the Thrift Store

Halloween Costumes: Make Use of Your Local Thrift Store

With Halloween and Halloween Parties just around the corner, you'll need an original costume, and what better place to get one than at the Thrift Store? Talk about recycling and buying local... This can be a cheap and easy way to get creative, have a little fun and not spend a fortune.

Along with ten suggestions, I've included tips to finish off your look. Remember... it's the embellishments that will pull off your disguise. Make your costume great with props and makeup to enhance your look and totally put you in character!

Ten Halloween Costumes Ideas from the Thrift Store

My first suggestion is ... be a Princess. A lot of thrift stores have formal dresses that bridesmaids or junior bridesmaids only wore once in a wedding. (For smaller girls, hem the dress and gather it in the back) You might even get lucky and find a tiara. Silver eyeshadow and shimmering highlighter all over your face will make you look magical! An updo might help, too.

My second suggestion is a hobo. Thrift stores are filled with old jeans you can cut holes in and shirts you can rip up. You might get lucky and find a jug that looks like it could have moonshine in it. Top this look off wear beat up shoes. Better yet, wear shoes that don't match. Leaving your shirt half tucked in and half out helps the look.

Third... be from the seventies. Luckily, thrift stores often have dated clothes. Choose looks from the seventies like bell bottoms, polyester suits and platform shoes. Luckily, some of these things are back in style, so they may be easy to find. Exaggerate the look of these things to differentiate from today's styles. A psychedelic dress with a two inch wide head band is perfect for a female. Add go-go boots, dark eye liner and pale pink lipstick... and you're in style.

Fourth on the list... be a nurse or a doctor. Thrift stores often have scrubs which can be your entire outfit. To top this look off, wear clogs and a paper face mask you can buy at home improvement stores. If you have access to a stethoscope, that's even better. If not, take a clipboard to look like a patien't chart.

Fifth, be a bride. Sometimes you can even find wedding gowns at the thrift store! Top this look off with a hairdo that's piled on top of your head and pearl earrings. Make your own bridal bouquet with silk or fresh flowers.

Six, be Groucho Marx. Purchase an old mens suit and tie, along with an old hat. With black eyeliner, pencil in a thick, black mustache and heavy eyebrows. A cigar and wire rimmed glasses will complete the look.

The seventh costume from your local thrift store: coveralls that will disguise you as a plumber or a mechanic. Carry a wrench with you to complete the look. If you choose to be a mechanic, smear mascara on your face to look like grease and have a dirty rag hanging form your back pocket. If you're a plumber, carry a toolbox.

Eighth, be a scarecrow. If you're lucky you might find overalls at the thrift store. Doesn't matter if they fit or not. After you put them on, stuff extra clothes in them and make it look like it's stuffed with straw by placing a few pieces hanging out of your clothes. If you can't find overalls, get a flannel shirt and jeans.

Ninth on the list is... a tennis player from the seventies. Those short shorts so popular in the seventies litter the thrift stores, right along with too-small t-shirts. Wear a headband, wristbands and carry a wooden tennis racquet or a tennis bag to complete the look.

Tenth is a rock star... With a black t-shirt, black jeans and sunglasses you'll have the look down. The thrift store might even have an electric guitar or drumsticks you can purchase to add to the look. A little bling and some fake tattoos will go along way. Two of your friends can dress up as your body guards in black suits and sunglasses.

With a little imagination, a little money can go a long way. Have fun and be safe!