5 Places Where Frugal People Can Find Affordable Halloween Costumes

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For many people, the most wonderful time of the year has nothing to do with holly jolly anything — it starts when the first notes of Michael Jackson’s Thriller hit the air. They start counting down to their favorite holiday when the store shelves fill up with all things pumpkin, with a fine mix of decorative skulls and black cats, not to mention bags and bags of candy. 

If you’re one of these people, a regular Halloweenie, then you know that the season isn’t complete until you figure out your costume. Should you be scary or sweet? Go for a favorite character or create a look wholly your own? More importantly, how do you go about it without playing more tricks than treats on your bank account?

Whether you’re trying to win a costume contest or just looking for something you can toss on to take the kids trick or treating, you’ll want to find the most budget-conscious costumes possible. Fortunately, GOBankingRates opened the mysterious crypt of information about where you can go to find inexpensive costumes. 

Thrift Stores 

If you want to be creative and cost-effective with your costume, try your local thrift store or Goodwill. You might be more likely to find pieces like wedding dresses (perfect for a Corpse Bride look) or prom dresses (Carrie at the prom, anyone?) for far cheaper than you’d get at a department store. Hitting up a thrift store also ups your odds of finding unique pieces like costume jewelry. 

Buy Nothing Groups 

While you might think of your local Buy Nothing group as a great place to get bookshelves or board games, you can actually find clothes as well. Your odds of finding more extravagant pieces, like cocktail attire, that might run you nearly hundreds of dollars at a department store, are higher when people are clearing out their closets for the items they might love, but know they’ll never wear again. Heck, the random items you see in these groups could even inspire a cool Halloween look. You’re also more likely to find potential props for a costume this way, as well. 

EBay 

If you’re inspired to hunt around for some Halloween costumes online, you’ll find a broad range of looks, from comics (and now movie) accurate Wolverine for roughly $32.99 to more rare and eclectic options like Amelia Earheart for $49.98. 

Dollar Tree 

You might know Dollar Tree as your one-stop shop for all things Halloween decor and especially candy, but the store also sells everything from fairy wings to witch hats — perfect for creating easy and affordable costumes for you and your kiddos. Dollar Tree even has a webpage full of suggestions for combining props and other items you can find at their stores into costumes that range from chef to pirate. 

HalloweenCostumes.com 

Though prices can vary across this spooktactular wonderland of nothing but Halloween costumes, if you’re looking for a bargain, you might consider hopping on to the sales and clearance section of the website. There, you’ll find everything from kids’ costumes to plus-size adult costumes that will thrill, chill and be surely recognized. The lower end of adult costumes, like a plus size Wilma Flintsone, starts with prices generally around $34.99 to $39.99, though you can find some outfits for much cheaper — like the plus size nun for $29.99. 

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