How to make a DIY costume that won't spook the planet

How to make a DIY costume that won't spook the planet

With 4 in 10 Halloween costumes only being worn once before they’re thrown away, and a lot of them being made from plastic, the cost of looking spooky is scarily on the rise! We got creative with some easy DIY halloween costume ideas that will save you money, time, and help the planet. Check them out!

These tips are part of something bigger. At Hubbub, we want to see a world where everyone makes choices that are good for the environment. Check out what we do and how your actions add up.

1) Iconic costumes from everyday clothes

Maybe you get a growing sense of dread as Halloween approaches, and not from horror films. Choosing an outfit is hard, and buying one that fits can make it even more difficult. So why not revamp your everyday clothes into an iconic costume? Real life figures like the Spice Girls, David Attenborough, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, or fictional ones like Rosie the Riveter or Paddington Bear have looks that are instantly recognisable but can also be assembled from what’s already in your wardrobe.

2) Bring your outfit back from the dead

Are there any old outfits haunting the back of your cupboards from many moons ago? If single-use clothing and its associated packaging gives you the shivers, find an old costume and bring back the ghost of Halloween past. Those skeletons in the back of your wardrobe will thank you, and so will your wallet and the planet! If you've dug up a costume that isn’t quite up to scratch, read on for more on props and make-up...

3) Have some skele-fun by upcycling a costume

Get old school spooky and patch your costume together from things you already have in the house. This is a faboolous alternative to buying a Halloween costume in store. These step by step guides from Mum In The Madhouse cover easy ways to make bat, skeleton, cat, ghost and wizard costumes.

4) Top of the props

Halloween outfit missing that finishing touch? Have a go at fashioning freaky accessories from leftover cardboard or paper already at home, and skip the shop and plastic wrapping completely. Swords, ears, hats, and wings can all be cut from cardboard and painted or covered with fabric, with lots of tutorials online. If you’ve got it, haunt it.

5) Paint yourself scary

You can pick up non-toxic, cruelty free face paint super cheap from most fancy-dress shops and create amazing looks for almost any outfit you can imagine. YouTube has some great tutorials and when you wash the paint off you’ll be waste-free!