Create a Unique Costume at Goodwill This Halloween!
Looking for a unique, affordable Halloween costume? Visit Goodwill of the Finger Lakes! You’ll find everything you need to create the one-of-a-kind look that you desire.
By purchasing gently used items, you’ll save on your Halloween costumes and decorations, and no one will know that you didn’t buy new! Not only will you save big, but also your purchase will help provide services to people who are blind or visually impaired or have other barriers to independence here in our community.
What follows are some easy costume ideas you can implement using items from Goodwill. Find the store nearest you by clicking on this link.
Disco king/queen – Channel the disco era by finding gently used 70's tops, bell bottom pants and platform shoes
Flower power hippie – Find 70's hippie floral shirts and skirts
Witch – Find black pants, shirt or dress. You may even find a witch's hat that someone donated or a broom at the store.
Elvis – Find a red button down shirt and a pair of black or white bell bottom pants. You can even go to a craft store and buy jewels to glue onto the pants.
Greek god or goddess – pick up a white sheet to wear, some artificial leaves to put on your head and a pair of flip-flops. You can spray paint the flip flops gold for some added punch.
Princess – Find a full skirt or ball gown to wear with a tiara.
Beauty queen – Use an old bridesmaid dress or evening gown, wear a tiara and make a sash out of ribbon.
School nerd – Find a pair of tight jeans and roll up the pant legs. Pair it with a white shirt, pocket protector and heavy-rimmed glasses.
60s mod hipster – Wear a bright geometric prints dress/outfit and go-go boots.
Grapevine – Start with a bright body suit and leotard. Then blow up purple balloons and attach them to yourself with double sided tape. For added security use garbage bag ties to affix balloons to tape.
A bag of jelly beans – Start with a clear plastic bag. Step into the bag and make holes for your legs and arms. Fill the bag with different color balloons and use a flashy scarf to tie around the top of the bag. You may want to place a sign that says "Jelly Beans 5¢ " in front of the bag.
Crayon – Find a solid color sweat suit. Paint or use a magic marker to print the word, "crayon" in large black letters down the length of your body. Going with the same color scheme, create a pointed hat in the same color. You can even paint your face your crayon color.
Betty Rubble – Take a blue fitted sundress and cut the hem so it looks jagged. Wear a black wig done "Betty Style" with a bow or bone at top. Glue a small rock or bone to the top of the halter dress.
Bam-Bam – Find leopard skin fabric and cut out a diaper size piece big enough to fit around your waist securely. Cut a ragged edge at the bottom of this material. Use the rest of the material to make a leopard sash to drape across chest. Attach the two pieces with a plastic dog bone, using glue. Complete the outfit by carrying around a wooden bat.
Rosie the Riveter – Wear a blue button down shirt or denim shirt with a red scarf in your hair and pose for photos flexing an arm muscle.
Vampire – Wear black pants, a white button down shirt and a cape. Find white and red makeup to put on your face.
Holiday gift – Put holes into a box for your arms. Wrap the box in holiday wrapping paper and a big bow.
Farmer – Find overalls, a plaid shirt and a wide brim hat. Carry a garden tool like a plastic rake or shovel.
Bob the Builder – Wear denim overalls and a plaid shirt. Find a toolbelt and yellow hard hat to complete the look.
Scarecrow – Wear denim overalls and a plaid shirt. Accessorize with a wide brim hat and pieces of straw or straw ribbon.
Skunk – Wear black sweats and glue or sew a white strip of fabric or fake fur to your back.
Harry Potter – Find a simple black robe and wizard hat. Accessorize with round glasses and wooden wand. Remember to draw Harry’s mark on your forehead.
Charlie Brown – Wear a yellow t-shirt and draw or sew the zig zag print; wear it with black shorts and brown shoes.
Traffic light – Start with a black sweatsuit. Cut three circles of red, yellow and green fabric or felt. Glue onto your outfit.
Cowboy/Cowgirl – Wear jeans, plaid shirt, vest, boots, bandana and hat
Rock star – Wear a hip jacket (such as leader or fake snakeskin) with boots and accessorize with a guitar.
Funky bride – Find a vintage wedding dress and accessorize with a feather boa and hip accessories
Slasher bride – Wear vintage wedding dress and splatter red paint to simulate blood.