The best Halloween costumes aren’t bought in a plastic bag from a supermarket. They’re thrifted. A trip to your local charity shop can get you a cheap, one-of-a-kind Halloween costume - and the money you spend goes to a good cause.

Two friends in thrifted Halloween costumes - a witch and a ghost - in a forest

Here’s how to thrift your Halloween costume anywhere in the UK: when to shop, where to look, and how to DIY a great look for a few pounds.

Why thrift your Halloween costume?

  • It’s cheap. A full outfit from a charity shop often costs less than a single shop-bought costume.
  • It’s unique. Nobody else at the party will turn up in the same thing.
  • It’s sustainable. Many shop-bought costumes are worn once and binned. Second-hand keeps clothes in use.
  • It does some good. At a charity shop, your money goes straight to the charity’s work.

Find a ready-made costume for a fraction of the price

Every year, people donate their old Halloween costumes to charity shops. Witches, vampires, superheroes, animal onesies, kids’ costumes - they all end up back on the rails.

That means you can often pick up a complete, ready-made costume at your local charity shop for a fraction of what it would cost new. Add a wig, a mask or some face paint from the same shop and your outfit is done.

When do charity shops get their Halloween stock?

Charity shop stock is seasonal. Halloween items usually start appearing on the shop floor in late September or early October.

That’s the best time to start looking. You’ll get first pick of the costumes, wigs and accessories, and plenty of time to visit a few shops and build your look piece by piece.

Leave it until the last week of October and the best finds will be gone.

While you’re there, look out for the windows. Many charity shops go all out with their Halloween displays, and they’re a great source of costume ideas.

Don’t wait for the Halloween rails: DIY your costume

You don’t need a ready-made costume at all. Halloween is the one time of year when ripped, stained and paint-splattered is the look you’re going for.

Often all you need is:

  • a £1 T-shirt or shirt you’re happy to shred
  • some fabric paint or face paint
  • a few accessories - a hat, a belt, a scarf, some costume jewellery

Because you’re buying basics rather than costumes, you can shop for a DIY outfit any time of year.

A few easy ideas to get you started:

  • Zombie: an old shirt and trousers, torn and splattered with fake blood.
  • Skeleton: a black long-sleeved top with bones painted on in white.
  • Witch: a long black dress or skirt, a shawl, and a pointed hat.
  • Ghost bride: a cheap white dress or nightie, distressed and dusted with grey.
  • 70s disco: flares, a wide-collar shirt and as much sequin as you can find.
  • Cowboy or cowgirl: denim, a check shirt and a pair of boots.

Before you cut up your favourite jeans or a brand new white T-shirt, buy something second-hand to destroy instead.

Head to a charity superstore for the cheapest finds

If you’re DIY-ing, a charity superstore is your best friend. These larger stores have far more stock than a high street shop, and the prices are often lower - perfect for picking up items you plan to rip, cut or paint.

Many also sell furniture and homeware, so you can grab props and party decorations while you’re there.

They can be hard to find if you don’t know where to look. Ganddee maps charity shops and charity superstores across the UK, so you can find the ones near you in seconds.

Beyond charity shops: more places to thrift your costume

Independent second-hand and vintage shops

Independent second-hand and vintage shops often stock Halloween pieces too, especially anything retro. They’re the place to go for a specific era - 70s, 80s or 90s - or for statement pieces like leather jackets, cowboy boots and party dresses.

Kilo sales

At a vintage kilo sale, you pay by weight rather than by item - typically around £15 a kilo. Lightweight tops and accessories can cost very little, which makes kilo sales ideal for costume building and DIY.

Car boot sales

Car boot sales are full of cheap clothes, hats, costume jewellery, old props and odds and ends you won’t find anywhere else - often for a pound or less. Many wind down for the winter, so check one is still running near you before you go.

Thrifting a Halloween costume in London?

London has some of the best second-hand shopping in the UK. A few favourites for Halloween:

  • Beyond Retro - big vintage stores with huge rails across every decade, great for retro costumes.
  • Rokit - known for vintage denim, ideal for cowboy, Grease or 80s looks. Their dedicated accessories store on Brick Lane is great for hats, belts and statement pieces.
  • Oxfam - you never know what’s been donated, from party dresses to hidden vintage gems, and you’re supporting a great cause.
  • Thrift Factory - runs kilo sales where you can dig through tonnes of clothes at around £15 a kilo. Check their socials for dates.

And there are hundreds of charity shops across the city. Open Ganddee to find the ones closest to you.

Halloween costume thrifting FAQs

Do charity shops sell Halloween costumes?

Yes. People donate their costumes every year, so many charity shops put out ready-made Halloween costumes, wigs, masks and accessories from late September onwards, often on a dedicated rail or display. They’re usually much cheaper than buying new. Stock depends entirely on what’s been donated, so it’s worth visiting a few shops.

When should I start looking for a thrifted Halloween costume?

Start in late September or early October, when Halloween stock first hits the shop floor. If you’re planning a DIY costume, you can buy the basics at any time of year.

What’s the cheapest way to make a Halloween costume?

Buy cheap basics from a charity superstore, kilo sale or car boot sale, then customise them with paint, scissors and a few accessories. You can put together a full costume for a few pounds.

What should I do with my costume after Halloween?

Donate it to your local charity shop. It’ll be on the rails for someone else next October, and it raises a bit more money for the cause.

After Halloween: donate your costume

Once the party’s over, don’t let your costume sit in a drawer or end up in the bin. Take it to your local charity shop.

That’s how the cycle works. This year’s donations are next year’s bargains. Every costume you give back stays in circulation, saves someone else buying new, and raises money for a good cause.

Wigs, masks, props and accessories are worth donating too. And if you made a DIY costume, it might be exactly what someone else is looking for next year.

Find your Halloween costume near you

Whether you’re after a ready-made costume, a few accessories or something to destroy for a DIY look, there’s a charity shop, superstore or kilo sale near you with what you need.

Grab the free Ganddee app to find charity shops and second-hand stores wherever you are, then get thrifting. And when Halloween’s over, use it to find the nearest shop to donate your costume. Happy Halloween!

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