Every year around 7 million Halloween costumes are thrown away in the UK each year. 83% of the materials are synthetic, such as polyester and elastane. This corresponds to about 2000 ton plastic waste. And that’s only in one country.
So how can you help reduce waste when you love to dress up?
Luckily, you can get far with what you already have in your closet. Both everyday clothes and party clothes can be great costumes, straight from the hanger. No sewing skills required.
It may seem a little overwhelming standing in front of the closet, because where should you begin? The Internet is always a good place to start. One may associate one or two outfits with a character in a movie, most often the lead, but there is much more to choose from. Often based on basics most people already own. Google your favourite movie and go through photos you find, or watch it again.
TV shows always have plenty to offer, many have seasons with over 20 episodes. The characters have their own style, often one or two pieces that are “them”, like always wearing jeans and blazers or always wearing patterns.
Here are some costumes from my closet:
A classic is Morticia Addams. She’s timeless and elegant. All it takes is a long black dress. A wilted red rose gives the outfit a strong Addams Family feel.
If you only have a shorter black dress, you can add a white collar and be Wednesday Addams.
Marilyn Monroe is a popular costume choice, either the famous white dress, or the pink silk dress she wears while singing, “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend”. But one of her outfits in the 1960 film, “Let’s Make Love”, is something as simple as a purple wool jumper and black tights. A costume that is both glamorous and comfortable? Yes, please!
I’ve always loved Carrie Bradshaw’s style, and she’s my biggest style icon, but even she can get it wrong. HBO has shared several photos from the production of “And just like that… “ the new season of “Sex and the City”. One outfit stood out from Carrie’s otherwise confident style. Put in context, it probably makes sense, but on its own is, to put it mildly, a strange choice.
For this costume you will need two silk scarves, a pair of sunglasses, a dark cardigan, dress (either in a gingham pattern or pink) and washing up gloves.
I’m not going to a Halloween party this year, but if I were, this would be my costume.
