The ecofab Guide to Halloween Costumes
Date: October 12, 2009 | Category: Clothing, Guides, Holiday & Gift

It’s that time of year - ghosts, goblins, pumpkin carving… and chilling statistics about the money spent on one-time use, disposable Halloween paraphernalia: Americans spend over $5 billion annually on Halloween decorations and costumes! This year, make the holiday a green one, rather than a code orange for the environment. Check out our top picks for eco-friendly costumes below, and stay tuned for a list of decorations and candy (as well as non-edible treat options!) in the next few days. Here’s to creating an ecofabulous All Hallow’s Eve!
DIY or Buy Used:
Always start with what you’ve got at home - you’d be surprised what a little creativity, extra sheets, and old clothes can produce! Click here for great ideas, and set aside an evening to get crafty (these ideas work for kids & adults alike). The next best option is to buy used. It comes as no surprise that halloween costumes are often worn only once - no one wants to be caught with the same Harry Potter outfit as last year! Organize a costume swap at your school or in your neighborhood, rummage through nearby thrift shops, or check out eBay online for a vast array of full costume sets (make sure to check the “used” box when searching!). |
|
100% Alpaca Mask & Tail Sets:
These adorable little sets work for all ages (they even make a great costume for the office - easily removable for meetings). Alpaca fiber, like wool, requires no pesticides to produce and is easily renewable since the animals can be shorn (no harm to the animal) seasonally. We also love this dragon animal hat & booties set for the little ones, and this angel sweater and booties for the crawlers (sizing up to 24 months). This bat boy or bat girl hat for the older kids (sizing up to 8 years) keeps cold ears covered all through the winter! |
|
Sarah’s Silks for Dragons, Mermaids & More:
Sarah’s Silks was started by two parents that wanted to offer their own child a beautiful and healthy option for playing dress-up. Choose from dragons, knights, unicorns, mermaids and more - all are made of silk (a natural fiber and renewable resource) with non-toxic dyes. The costumes are truly beautiful, and will provide for imaginative fun long past October 31st. |
|
Young Royalty:
Choose from either a King or Queen’s crown made of felt - they’re also great for birthday parties! |
For the Tiniest of Trick-or-Treaters:
While some babies won’t tolerate a costume, they don’t have to miss out on the festivities. Check out these sweet jackets from Speesees, available in a bear or lamb version. Add this organic cotton onesie combined with this cute little pumkin hat to keep even a fussy baby up to snuff at a spooky gathering. |
|
Not-So-Creepy Crawlers:
These adorable animal-print tights are made from ultra-soft organic cotton and come with a matching long sleeve tee - great for dressing them as the little animals that they are! |
|
Recyclers Do it Twice!:
Made of 100% organic cotton, this dress gives a new meaning to the phrase “Mother Earth” - it comes complete with a world bag and a removable pin that reads, “recyclers do it twice!” |
|
The Costume Tee:
For kids or adults whose Halloween spirit doesn’t include playing dress-up, check out the organic cotton tees from Cafe Press that provide all the seasonal cheer needed. |
|
For Sweet-Toothed Dreams:
After all the candy has been consumed, it’s time to brush those teeth and hop into bed! End the holiday night with one more themed surprise - Halloween long johns to warm up cold trick-or-treaters. |
Comments
Adam Bulmer
Date: October 12th, 2009 at 2:46 pm
Fascinating article, great idea. Very impressive stuff.
Halloween Costumes
Date: February 11th, 2010 at 7:29 am
For the children, remember that Halloween Costumes are often worn year-round - sometimes as jammiez, sometimes as outfits to wear to pre-school, so when selecting for the young ones, keep quality in mind as they will go a long way!
Comment on this story
Comments are moderated, and will not appear on this weblog until approved.