With the rise of social media, it’s undoubtedly harder to stand out nowadays when dressing up for Halloween. There are just too many ideas out there, too many people trying to do the same thing, too much to buy. You can’t be too niche because no one will get who you are, but you also can’t be too recognizable because that’s basic.
The worst part is the pressure of consistency: constantly coming up with something new each year. As a result, that usually comes with an overwhelming amount of money and time to spend on an outfit you’re most likely never going to wear again.
Considering the hectic costume planning that many of us are doing, I’ve narrowed it down to the places that are always there if you need to grab something last-minute and online options that are as easy as a tap from your phone.
With Party City’s bankruptcy and shutdown earlier this year, it’s understandably stressful to find in-person stores for last-minute costumes. For our convenience, Spirit Halloween opened a store in Columbia this year just in time for the Halloween season. Being a seasonal store, it is only open from late August or early September (depending on the location) through a few days after Halloween.
For last-minute planners like me, it’s never too late to stop by the local Spirit Halloween. They offer various costume options, including traditional ones like ghosts and skeletons, as well as more niche character costumes that come in sets, with each piece provided. Aside from sets, they sell separate pieces, including headpieces, masks, special makeup, wings, corsets, and props perfect for DIY costumes. In addition to costume accessories, they also sell home decor accessories.
If Spirit Halloween doesn’t offer your desired costume, the options at the thrift store are endless. With Goodwill just around the corner, the Second Avenue Thrift Superstore in Columbia, and the Baltimore Flea markets every weekend, thrifting is easily accessible to us. At second-hand retailers, you can find a large variety of used clothing, with a significant portion being Halloween costumes, since many people wear them only once. Rather than buying specific Halloween costume sets for a particular character, thrifting lets you craft one of your own. With the cluttered variety that comes with thrifting, you can select each element of your costume.
Photo from: @bmoreflea on Instagram
The wide array of clothing makes it time-consuming, however, and it can be difficult to scan the store for specific items. Online second-hand retailers are also always an option. My favorite apps include Depop, Poshmark, Grailed, TheRealReal, Vinted, Bins, and Facebook Marketplace, which make second-hand shopping easy through the screen. With these apps, you can search and filter the items you’re looking for, saving you the ride and the hours of scurrying through every rack. A downside to second-hand online sellers, however, is that shipping dates aren’t as reliable since you aren’t purchasing from a label. Sellers on Poshmark, for example, don’t include the estimated delivery date on the product, which can be inconvenient if you’re in a time crunch.
The benefit of thrifting is that most of the clothes are older and can be repurposed for period-inspired costumes. The dated clothing also carries a timeless aspect. Buying timeless Halloween staples can be a helpful addition to your collection, as they are easily reworn.
The best online option has to be Amazon, with its fast shipping and wide selection of costumes at affordable prices. Whenever I need something, I can trust that Amazon will have it in stock. Spirit Halloween is also a convenient online option, with costumes available exclusively online. While comparing similar costume items, however, I found that Amazon tended to carry the cheaper item.
If you’re still stressing about what to dress up as, look online at Spirit Halloween or Amazon for costume references. Think of your favorite TV show or movie character, your favorite meme reference, favorite musician, favorite food, or anything else. Anything can be a costume!
If you’re stressed about where to get your costume, go on Amazon ASAP, or run to Spirit Halloween or Goodwill (pro tip: go to a Goodwill outlet or superstore when the bins are in session so you can grab everything that first comes into donations at a cheap price). Happy shopping!
