Why is thrifting haunting into the Halloween landscape?

Quick answer: According to the 2026 Goodwill Halloween Survey, 85% of costume shoppers plan to incorporate thrift shopping or DIY elements into their Halloween look this year. Shoppers are drawn to secondhand costumes for affordability, originality, and sustainability, with 60% primarily creating DIY costumes rather than buying them ready-made. Goodwill stores offer an affordable, ever-changing inventory of clothing, accessories, and craft supplies perfect for building a one-of-a-kind costume.

Halloween is changing, and this year’s shoppers aren’t settling for whatever’s hanging on the rack at the costume shop. They’re digging through racks of secondhand finds, pulling together pieces from different decades, and building something nobody else will be wearing on October 31st.

The 2026 Goodwill Halloween Survey, conducted online among 2,000 U.S. adults ages 18-64 who buy, make, design, or assemble Halloween costumes, confirms what thrift store regulars have known for years: creativity beats convenience, and originality beats uniformity. The results point to a holiday that’s becoming more personal, more budget-conscious, and more sustainable with each passing year.

For families watching their spending, young adults looking to stand out at the party, and anyone who just loves the thrill of a good find, this shift matters. Here’s what the survey revealed, and why Goodwill has become a go-to Halloween destination for millions of shoppers.

What percentage of Halloween shoppers are choosing thrift or DIY costumes?

The numbers tell a clear story. Eighty-five percent of surveyed costume shoppers plan to incorporate thrift shopping or DIY elements into their Halloween costume this year. That’s not a niche trend anymore — it’s close to becoming the norm.

Sixty percent of respondents said they primarily create DIY costumes instead of buying something ready-made, and 61% say their interest in DIY costumes has grown compared to just a few years ago. Halloween shopping is no longer about grabbing a costume off a shelf. It’s about building something, piece by piece, that feels genuinely your own.

This shift reflects a broader cultural mood. Shoppers want costumes that stand out and reflect their personality, not something mass-produced that five other people will be wearing at the same party. And once you’ve put in the effort to design your own werewolf mask or assemble a thrifted ’80s rock star look, it means something different than unwrapping a plastic-bagged costume from a big-box store.

Why do people want their costumes to be reusable or repurposed?

Sustainability has quietly become one of the biggest drivers behind Halloween shopping decisions. Seventy-one percent of survey respondents said they want costumes that can be reused, repurposed, or worn again, a sign that one-and-done costumes are losing their appeal.

Shopping thrift supports this goal naturally. Every piece purchased from a Goodwill store extends the life of a donated item and keeps usable goods in circulation instead of in a landfill. A blazer that becomes this year’s costume accessory might become next year’s work outfit. A set of curtains could transform into a cape one Halloween and a Renaissance fair costume the next.

Choose secondhand shopping if sustainability and versatility matter more to you than the convenience of a single-use, plastic-wrapped costume. The payoff is a wardrobe of pieces that keep earning their place in your closet long after Halloween ends.

Why are shoppers choosing thrift stores for Halloween costumes?

Three motivations stand out in the survey results, and they paint a picture of shoppers who are thinking practically and creatively at the same time:

• Saving money (53%): More than half of respondents cited cost savings as a primary reason for shopping thrift for Halloween. With costume prices at traditional retailers climbing every year, thrift stores offer an accessible alternative for families and individuals working within a budget.
• Creating DIY costumes (44%): Nearly half of shoppers head to thrift stores specifically to gather materials and pieces for homemade costumes, turning secondhand finds into something entirely new.
• Finding unique pieces (44%): An equal share of shoppers say they visit thrift stores to find costume pieces they can’t find anywhere else. A vintage jacket, an unusual hat, a piece of costume jewelry from another decade — these are the details that make a costume memorable.

Choose thrift shopping if you’re working with a limited budget, want a costume nobody else will have, or simply enjoy the process of building something from scratch. Each of these motivations reinforces the other: saving money and

finding unique pieces often go hand in hand at a thrift store, where inventory changes daily and prices stay low.

What can you find at Goodwill for Halloween?

Goodwill stores are treasure hunts by design. Because inventory changes every day, no two visits offer the same selection, which means shoppers can discover unexpected items that spark entirely new costume ideas.

Typical finds include:

• Costumes and costume pieces from past seasons and everyday wardrobes alike
• Clothing spanning decades, styles, and sizes
• Accessories like hats, jewelry, belts, and scarves that can transform a basic outfit
• Home décor that doubles as set dressing or costume props
• Craft supplies and textiles for shoppers building costumes from the ground up

This variety is exactly why thrift shopping appeals to such a wide range of Halloween celebrators. Whether you’re a parent assembling a last-minute costume for a school event or someone who’s been planning an elaborate group costume for months, Goodwill’s shelves offer raw material for nearly any idea.

Is the thrift and DIY trend limited to costumes?

Not even close. The same instincts driving costume choices are showing up in how people decorate their homes for Halloween. 72% of survey respondents said they plan to incorporate thrift or DIY elements into their Halloween decorations this year.

Goodwill stores offer inspiration well beyond the costume racks. Seasonal décor, textiles, and household items found secondhand can become part of a Halloween display, a party centerpiece, or a spooky front-porch arrangement. It’s a reminder that Halloween creativity doesn’t stop at what you wear. It extends to how you set the scene, too.

How does shopping at Goodwill for Halloween support the community?

Every purchase made at Goodwill does more than fill a shopping bag. It helps fund programs that support job training, skill-building, and employment services in local communities. When shoppers buy a costume piece, a decoration, or a craft supply at Goodwill, they’re also contributing to services that help people gain the skills and confidence they need to build stronger futures. Goodwill delivers on it’s mission by offering free training programs, career services, and employment retention support in the community.

Halloween is one of the busiest and most exciting seasons for Goodwill stores, and that seasonal energy translates directly into mission impact. Shoppers get an affordable, unique, and sustainable way to celebrate, and that same spending helps power programs that change lives well beyond October 31st.

Where can you start your Halloween thrift shopping?

If this year’s survey results are any indication, more shoppers than ever will be building their Halloween look from secondhand finds rather than store-bought kits. The best advice for getting started: shop early, visit often, and keep an open mind. Because inventory changes daily, every trip to a Goodwill store is a chance to find something new.

Visit your local Goodwill store to browse costumes, accessories, décor, and craft supplies for this year’s Halloween celebration. Whether you’re building a costume from scratch, searching for the one accessory that ties your look together, or decorating your home for the season, your local Goodwill offers an affordable, creative, and sustainable place to start — all while supporting a mission that strengthens careers and communities.

Note to local Goodwill organizations: Customize this post with your organization’s name, local spokesperson quotes, city/state references, and local website links as needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What percentage of people are planning DIY or thrifted Halloween costumes in 2026?
According to the 2026 Goodwill Halloween Survey, 85% of costume shoppers plan to incorporate thrift shopping or DIY elements into their Halloween costume this year, and 60% primarily create DIY costumes instead of buying them ready-made.

Why do people shop thrift stores for Halloween costumes?
The top reasons are saving money (53%), creating DIY costumes (44%), and finding unique pieces not available elsewhere (44%). Many shoppers cite a combination of these factors.

What kinds of items can I find at Goodwill for Halloween?
Goodwill stores carry costumes, clothing, accessories, home décor, textiles, and craft supplies. Since inventory changes daily, selection varies by visit and location.

Is thrift shopping for Halloween more sustainable?
Yes. Seventy-one percent of survey respondents said they want costumes that can be reused or repurposed, and shopping secondhand extends the life of donated goods rather than contributing to single-use costume waste.

Does shopping at Goodwill for Halloween support anything beyond the store?
Yes. Every purchase at Goodwill helps fund programs that support job training and employment services, helping people in local communities build skills and advance their careers.