How to make this spooky season more sustainable
As Halloween quickly approaches, with it comes the excitement of planning a costume. Costumes are more than just a staple of Halloween culture, they are a fun way to express yourself and creatively collaborate with friends. Planning a costume for the special night, or more likely for a Halloweekend, is a strategic effort—no one wants to break the bank on costumes that are generally intended for a one-time wear. Herein lies the dangerous connection between Halloween and fast fashion.
Fast fashion, clothing that imitates luxury trends at a lower price, is characterized by rapid production and poor quality. The speed at which fast fashion garments are produced and replaced contributes to throwaway culture, the practice of throwing away clothes as soon as the latest trends are released. This disposal prioritizes aesthetics over sustainability and is especially apparent during Halloween.
Costumes are as much a Halloween tradition as they are tethered to fast fashion consumption. Clothing companies such as Cider, Shein, and Nasty Gal cater to seasonal trends, but their low prices are indicative of poor manufacturing conditions and unsustainable consumption. Therefore, when planning a Halloween costume, it is important to recognize that fast fashion is not the only approach. In fact, it can be completely avoided.
Instead of shopping for fast fashion garments, try thrifting! Thrifting is an easy, accessible, and cost-effective alternative that promotes sustainable shopping. Stopping by a local thrift store or scrolling through apps such as Depop or Poshmark can introduce shoppers to the perfect pieces for their costume. As thrifted garments are generally higher quality than fast fashion ones, a thrifted piece will last beyond Halloween and can be reworn for another costume, or for an everyday outfit.
Halloween should not just be about putting together the perfect costume but doing so mindfully. When planning your costume, thrifting is the perfect way to practice sustainability during the spooky season.