Halloween doesn’t have to be expensive! With a little creativity, you can create fantastic costumes with items from Goodwill. We’ve compiled a list of our favorites…
Mary Poppins:
Find a white button-up shirt, black skirt, black hat, boots, and tights. Then grab that black umbrella that you keep around for a rainy day. Add a touch of red lipstick, a red ribbon for the bow tie, and a spoonful of sugar. Now you are supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!
Crazy Cat Lady:
Go to Goodwill and find the frumpiest floral-print frock you can find, and while you’re there find five or six stuffed cats. Safety pin the cats to the dress. Add a crazy wig and some glasses. You are now the “crazy cat lady” that all the children in the neighborhood are frightened of!
Bill Cosby:
All you need is a funky 80’s sweater and some khaki pants. To complete the look add a box of Jell-O and now you have transformed into the one and only Bill Cosby.
Where’s Waldo:
For this look you need a red beanie, a red and white striped shirt, a pair of glasses or sunglasses with the lenses removed, and blue jeans. Voila! You have found Waldo!
Bob Ross:
This simple costume is easily created with a giant 70’s afro, a white button-up shirt, dark pants, a paint brush, and a painters palette. Before you know it, you’ll be painting “happy trees”!
Audrey Hepburn:
Find a long black dress at Goodwill, and partner it with a costume tiara, oversized sunglasses, and long black gloves. You will be fabulously divine, darling!
Will work for Candy:
This is a great costume for the kids! All you need is a plaid button-up shirt, some ragged jean, and a beanie. Paint on a beard and make a sign saying “Will work for candy” on a piece of cardboard.
Michael Jackson:
The King of Pop has a couple different looks depending on which decade you are going for. The old Michael requires pajama pants, a robe, t-shirt, house shoes, and a black umbrella. Don’t forget the white face paint and a black wig. The younger Michael just to find some flashy clothes and an afro to complete the look.
Dirty Laundry:
Go to Goodwill and buy the most mismatched, outdated and colorful clothing items you can find. The crazier the clothing, the funnier this costume will be! Raid your sock drawer and tape or glue socks all over the clothing. Cut the bottom from a cheap laundry basket and wear it around your waist, holding it in place with suspenders. You are now a pile of dirty laundry!
Richard Simmons:
Find a solid-colored tank top and decorate it with rhinestones. Pair it with silky short-shorts and flesh-colored pantyhose with tennis shoes. A curly wig completes the costume. Run around like a maniac making everyone exercise. This costume is a lot of fun (and takes a lot of energy!) For groups, others can dress like 80’s workout ladies.
Bride and Bridesmaids:
Goodwill always has old wedding dresses for sale. Find the perfect one (the uglier the better!) and get your friends to go as the bridesmaids (also found at Goodwill, also better if ugly!)
80’s Hair Band Rock Star:
Take a pair of scissors to shirts, jeans, etc. Slash them up good. Wear lots of jewelry, pieces of fabric tied around your arms and legs, and a BIG wig. Several belts around your waist and feathers would complete this look! Rock on!
Construction Worker:
A white T-shirt paired with Wrangler jeans and work boots. Wear a tool belt full of tools. A hard-hat would complete this look.
Tourist:
Shop Goodwill for a Hawaiian shirt, a pair of mis-matched shorts and a large straw hat. Wear long socks pulled up all the way with tennis shoes. Don't forget to have several cameras around your neck, maps in your pockets, and even a pair of binoculars!
Miss America:
Use an old bridesmaid or prom dress or find one at Goodwill. Add a pair of gloves, a tiara, some oversized jewelry, and heals. For the banner, get a piece of wide ribbon and write "Miss America" in glitter.
Babe Magnet:
Here’s a great one for all you guys…Go to Goodwill and buy a black T-shirt or sweatshirt and a bunch of Barbies. Attach the dolls to the shirt with string or tape. You are now a babe magnet!
Nerd:
Wear a pair of pants that are a couple of inches too short (high-waders), a buttoned down shirt with one side tucked in and the other hanging out. A bowtie or clip-on tie (ugly), white socks, black shoes and thick dark-frame glasses (with tape around the nose piece) will complete this look. Props could include a stack of textbooks, a pocket protector full of pens and pencils, and a calculator.
Gypsy:
Be a free spirit this Halloween! Suit up in a long flowing skirt in a floral pattern and a puffy blouse. Accessorize with heavy gold costume jewelry, a noisy belt and a shawl.
Hippie:
Think Woodstock! On the bottom, wear bell bottom jeans, long jeans with rips or a peasant skirt with leather sandals (i.e. Birkenstocks) On the top, choose a tie-dye shirt or a Woodstock or Grateful Dead T-shirt. Accessorize with love beads, peace buttons and funky sunglasses. A long wig and headband, along with flowers in your hair will take this costume over the top!
50s Look:
Head back to the oldies! Wear a pair of jeans rolled up to the mid-calf and an un-tucked, white, buttoned down shirt with socks and tennis shoes. Complete the look with a scarf (female) or by slicking your hair back for a greaser look (male).
Cowboy or Cowgirl:
Think denim! Don a pair of blue jeans, a western-looking denim shirt, boots, a neckerchief and bandanna. And walla... you're in the wild, wild west!
Scarecrow:
Find a pair of loose fitting blue jeans and make cutouts in the knees. Sew patches on these cut outs. Then suit up in a long flannel shirt and begin affixing straw to cuffs of pants and shirt with duct tape.
Rapper:
Wear a pair of jeans several sizes too big with a black tee shirt. Accessorize with gold chains, a boom box blaring rap music and a baseball hat worn backwards.
Old Man/Woman:
Dress in something old looking. Stuff some pillows or newspaper to create a large behind that sitcks out. Get some gray hairspray, and carry a bulky black purse and a cane. Complete the look with wire framed glasses.
Mummy:
This one is super easy! Simply purchase white sheets and tear them into long strips. Get a friend to help you wrap them around your body. Practice body movements of a stiff mummy!
Judge Judy:
Take control of the party this Halloween. Wear a white blouse underneath a black graduation robe. Top it off with a curly wig and gravel.
Betty Boop
You'll be singing, Boop-Boop-a-Doo in this timeless costume. Grab a red dress and a pair of white thigh high stockings with a white garter. This costume is complete with a pair of red high heels and a black bob wig. Accessorize with gold earrings and bracelets. Apply bright-red lipstick to just the center of your lips to represent a constant “pucker”.