It’s almost our favorite time of the year, and we know it’s yours too! Halloween symbolizes more than just a day for spooky fun, it is the start of everything that is cozy and autumnal, a portal to the most magical time of the year. As we do every year, we’re here to maximize the fun and minimize the waste and spending! Most store-bought costumes that everyone else is probably already wearing, typically cost around $30–$75. At Goodwill of Central Iowa, most people can put together a full thrifted look for under $20 — we’re talking head-to-toe, accessories included! Most store-bought costumes are made from synthetic materials that end up in a landfill by November 1st. When you thrift your costume from Goodwill of Central Iowa, you’re keeping clothes in circulation instead of creating new waste. Goodwill of Central Iowa helps to keep more than 18 Million pounds of goods out of landfills every year.
Thrifting your Halloween costumes and buying them secondhand is not only the more affordable option, but it also allows for more creativity, customization, less spending, and more impact! You aren’t just buying a costume; you’re creating an experience and putting your own spin on it! After Halloween, you can bring your costume back and donate it or easily incorporate pieces you have already thrifted into your everyday wardrobe! It’s that simple, impactful, and FUN! Since Making Purposeful Employment Possible for All is our mission here at Goodwill of Central Iowa, you can rest assured that your Halloween purchases will be unique, reduce waste and divert it from our local landfills, and fund countless programs that allow countless other individuals to celebrate Halloween as well!
The key to thrifting your best Halloween costume is to keep an open mind. The best costumes usually come from combining unexpected pieces, and because inventory changes every day, every visit can inspire a new idea! When thinking about your Halloween costume, you will be able to dissect it to specific pieces that can easily be found in a secondhand thrift store, more often than not!
We have put together a little costume inspiration for you, but don’t be limited by it! This shows how a mundane red T-shirt at the thrift store can go a long way! A pair of black combat boots, of which you find plenty of secondhand, are the landmark of countless characters! You can turn dresses of all colors and shapes into the most effortlessly beautiful costume, and the possibilities are truly endless when you have no set inventory or rules.
While masterfully crafting your costume this year, don’t forget to stop by our New Goods section as well as our carefully curated decor sections in each one of our Goodwill of Central Iowa locations for all your supplemental Halloween needs! Whether you’re creating a costume, decorating your home or planning a Halloween party, Goodwill offers affordable, unique and sustainable options that make it easy to celebrate creatively while supporting a mission that changes lives, so help us Make Purposeful Employment Possible for All!
