Do Halloween the Slow Fashion Way
We’re campaigning for a zero-waste Halloween. We’ve linked rental options, vegan face paint and items that fit nicely into your capsule wardrobe.
Sustainable Halloween Outfits: Spooky, Stylish & Zero-Waste
Halloween is right around the corner, and it’s one of the most exciting times to get creative with your wardrobe. But while it’s tempting to buy new costumes every year, one-time-use costumes often contribute to waste, circular they are not. The good news? You don’t need to spend money or add to landfill to look incredible this Halloween. Everything you need to create iconic, spooky looks may already be in your closet. By reimagining what you already own, shopping second-hand pieces, or borrowing from friends or family, you can celebrate in style without compromising on sustainability.
Halloween Shouldn’t Be Wasteful—Reuse, Reimagine, Repurpose
There are some scary statistics about our love for one-time-use Halloween outfits. Around 69% of outfits are made of polyester (plastic), and 90% of families buy new costumes yearly. That’s £510million spent on costumes that never get used again.
Instead of buying new, embrace your ability to put together great fits or get crafty. This is the perfect opportunity to experiment with your wardrobe. You can create a unique, memorable look by assembling items you already own, topped up with preloved or bits you’ve borrowed from your friends, family or neighbours. If it’s kids’ items, you’re after, why not speak to your parent friends at pick up and do a swap? It’s budget and eco-friendly.
Sustainability doesn’t mean sacrificing creativity or fun. It means thinking outside the box and using your wardrobe in new ways, avoiding the fast fashion trap of single-use costumes.
ICONIC HALLOWEEN LOOKS
There’s no need to panic if you’re low on ideas. We’ve curated classic Halloween looks that can be pulled together from everyday items or second-hand treasures. Here are a few foolproof ideas to get you started (see our Pinterest board for inspiration).
MORTICIA ADDAMS
A long black dress, tights, and heels and voila – the perfect Morticia Addams you will be. If you don’t have a floor-length black gown, a fitted black maxi skirt and a black top will work wonders. Slick your hair down and see our Morticia make-up tips, and you’ve got a timeless and chic Halloween outfit without a single new purchase.
Alternatively, rent this BEC & BRIDGE gown from Hurr.
WEDNESDAY ADDAMS
The Addams girls just keep giving. Spray your hair black, pop it in plaits, and don a white shirt, black jumper and black A-line mini. Black tights, white socks or black knee-high socks finish the look. And the best bit? Every single item is a capsule wardrobe classic.
Or rent this killer Wednesday-esque WOLD & BADGER dress from Hurr.
A GHOST!
(does anyone else always hear this in Joey Tribiani’s voice?)
Sometimes, simplicity is key. A white sheet with cut-out eye holes is nostalgic and retro, meaning you can put something cute on underneath for when you’re over it. For a more modern twist, pair a long white dress or layers of white clothing with some dramatic, dark makeup to create a spooky but (obviously) still stylish ghost. Got a veil lying around? You’re corpse bride now. You probably already have these basics tucked away in your wardrobe.
A WITCH
A witch gives you plenty of options without buying anything. A black dress, cape, or trousers and a blouse can give you the base you need; finish with some homemade spiders, cobwebs, and a wand. Add a wide-brimmed black hat (the charity shops are full of them) borrowed from a friend, or get colourful with some green wash-out hair dye.
DEAD CELEBS
Channelling a famous person from the past can be one of the most straightforward costume ideas.
Think Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s—a little black dress, pearls, sunglasses and an updo will do the trick. Or consider icons like Elvis, James Dean, or Marilyn Monroe- items like a white halter dress, leather jacket, jeans and a white T-shirt (sleeves rolled up) create the base, and the rest is all in the makeup.
ELEVATE YOUR LOOK:
MAKE-UP & FACE PAINT
A standout Halloween look is all about makeup; it is your secret weapon for elevating a basic fit. You don’t need a head-to-toe costume when your face can do all the talking.
Whether you’re going for glamorous, gory, or ghostly, using makeup you already have at home can take your outfit to the next level. Alternatively, you can shop for vegan, cruelty-free face paints.
HOW TO
For Morticia Addams, dramatic makeup is key. A pale foundation, dark eyeliner, and red lipstick can instantly transform you into the matriarch of the Addams family. Don’t worry if you don’t have specific costume makeup—your everyday eyeliner, mascara, and lipstick will work wonders here.
To enhance a witch costume, smoky eyes and a dark lip colour bring a mysterious, magical edge to your look. Try contouring with shades of green or purple for a fantasy feel, or keep it classic with black liner and a dark red or purple lip. For added charm, you can even draw on intricate details like spider webs and crescent moons in biodegradable glitter.
For a ghostly effect, you need a pale base, smudged eyeliner, and grey or black eyeshadow to hollow out your eyes and cheeks. You can use white face paint or powder to enhance your spectral look if you want to go further.
If you’re channelling a famous dead celebrity, some strategic makeup can complete the transformation. Audrey Hepburn’s iconic cat-eye, Marilyn Monroe’s red lips, James Dean’s cheekbones, or Elvis Presley’s perfectly groomed brows can be achieved with makeup staples you already own. Apply a paler base if you’re going for the dead celebrity look.
LATEST NEWS
