Maggie LaBranch: What to Wear?

Guest Post by Maggie LaBranch Maggie LaBranch is our twenty-something expert and a great friend of Tonic. She is a recent MBA graduate of Golden Gate University and attended the University of California in Santa Barbara.

Halloween is one of my favorite times of the year. Like most Americans, dressing up in costumes remains one of my favorite holiday traditions. I have to admit that when it comes to my costume, I’ve lost my touch — I’ve worn the same costume three years in a row now. (A Black Cat, in case you’re wondering.)

Halloween has become one of the biggest commercial holidays of the year. According to the National Retailer Federation, Americans will spend an estimated $5.77 billion (yes, billion) on Halloween this year — that’s up from last year, believe it or not.

Unfortunately, many store-bought costumes are made with eco-unfriendly materials that will spend eternity in the landfill since the norm is to wear the costume once and be done with it forever. No matter where you are in life, there are many alternatives to creating a great costume that save the environment and you score a few extra pennies for your piggy bank in the process, too!

Search your Closet, Garage, etc. Your house is a goldmine of Halloween costumes if you just take some time to be creative. You know that school girl outfit you bought when Britney’s “Hit Me Baby One More Time” swept the nation? Think of recycling it for a Hogwart's uniform. How about your numerous 10K run commemorative shirts? Get yourself a sweatband and shorts and you’re an instant runner. Received a shirt for donating blood lately? Be a blood donor. Not scary enough? Tear up some of your not so favorite clothes and become a zombie.

Ask friends and Family. There's nothing like a good hand-me down to resurrect memories from childhood and to a new family tradition of recycling old Halloween costumes.

Rent at a costume shop. Attending a high-end party? Determined to win the costume contest? Consider renting your duds from a costume shop. Some theater companies also rent out their costumes. Generally, a costlier alternative but one that guarantees a great look and style.

Visit Goodwill, Salvation Army, or other second-hand stores. All my favorite Halloween costumes came from a second-hand store near my home. I sported the psycho-doctor look complete with scrubs when I was in 6th grade — all I added was a little fake blood. Then, I wore the old lady mu-mu stuffed with couch pillows when I was a senior in high school — complete with a borrowed cane, glasses and curlers. Not to mention these stores already have a large number of recycled costumes but at a reduced price.

Surf Craigslist or Zwaggle.com. Try trading your costumes or swapping for a different size if you or your kids have outgrown or tired of them. These popular sites are full of people looking and giving away!

If all else fails, resort to cardboard boxes. There's nothing a little paint, tape and imagination can’t do to create something ingenious out of the simple cardboard box!

I can’t decide what to be this year — which means my cat costume is looking pretty good right about now. But why not? By re-wearing my costume, I’m saving money and reducing my impact on the environment. So, I figure, why mess with a good thing? Meow...!