Sustainable Fashion for Halloween!
Hi Mommies!
I wrote this post 3 years ago, but re-post every year. Not only is it extremely relevant this year, it’s also one of my favorite blog posts. We teach our family the importance of helping to save the environment while reducing our carbon footprint. We can do this buy recycling costumes instead of going out any buying more. We also trade costumes with friends and are happy and willing to take hand-me-down costumes. Hope you enjoy this post and are able to use some of the ideas!
By now you have probably heard the term ‘sustainable fashion,’ which in simple terms is basically a means of helping the environment by buying less clothing and recycling/reusing the clothing you already own. I think that Halloween is a great place to apply this idea.
Each year you probably buy 2-3 costumes for your family. Wouldn’t it be great to not have to buy new costumes or already use costumes that have been worn only a few times? I think every little bit helps to save our environment and here are a few ideas how you can teach your children to do this too!
Hand-me downs
My favorite! My boys, and now daughter have recycled and re-worn costumes for years. I think my little guy has been Elmo twice so far. My trick is to buy a bigger size so I can use the costume a few years in a row. I also let the kids use their costumes for dress up time, so we have a great collection now and the kids love to put on ‘costume shows’ when friends come over.
Kids consignment
Look online to find the children’s consignment stores and see if they have Halloween costumes. We have a high-end children’s consignment store here in Boston called Buttons and Bows (Acton, MA) and they have fantastic, like new costumes every year! You can also consign gently worn costumes yourself and make some extra cash.
Costume swap
Go to your local moms group and organize a costume swap. The moms should bring 2-3 like new or gently worn costumes and of varying sizes and you can trade within the group depending on how many costumes you bring. Have some Halloween treats and crafts for the kids and you can have a fun event while helping the environment.
BONUS TIP (Added for 2020)
Buy cute Halloween PJs and let the kids wear them during the day for dress up time. Have the kids add to their costumes with household items and then have a costume parade. Then, use the PJs at bedtime. My daughter is wearing her PJs as her costume this year, so a money saving, sustainable win all around. After she outgrows the PJs, we’ll hand them down.
Mommies, one final note. Please be mindful of how other families are celebrating Halloween this year. Some may be full out trick-or-treating while others may do something more low key. Stay tuned for my next blog post which will give a few trick-or-treating alternatives for kids this year.
Stay safe and Happy Halloween!
xxMommieMix
Re-use costumes throughout the year. P wore this to a princess event.
E wore this costume for 2 years.
xx MommieMix