DIY Halloween Costume Inspiration for Your Four-Legged Friends

By Felicia Czochanski

It’s never too early to start thinking about what you might dress up as for Halloween, especially if your goal is to thrift and DIY costumes for you and your furry friends. There are so many options to show off your costume look – while on a walk around town trick-or-treating with little kids, giving out candy at your own home, or at a neighborhood pet parade.

Halloween is the opportunity to showcase your alternate personas, and those of your pets. Do you have a pup that’s super smart? Perhaps they’d be a great fit for a Gryffindor-themed look. Have a fluffy friend that gets up to no good when you’re not looking? Maybe Maleficent is feels right for them.

           

Photo: @itspongo_                            Photo: @animedrs

When it comes to Halloween costumes, it’s important to have fun and not be stressed about cost or perfection. The average American will wear a costume just once, either sending it to the landfill after or donating it to second-hand stores like Goodwill® to be enjoyed by others the upcoming year. This is why shopping at Goodwill at the start of a season can end up being a treasure trove of statement pieces and items that could easily be resized and upcycled into a costume. Goodwill continues to be an environmental pioneer in reduce, reuse, and repurpose and helps communities extend the life of usable items and divert them from landfills. Not to mention shopping second-hand is substantially more affordable than purchasing at retail price for any item.

If you’re looking for inspiration on what to create for your favorite furry friend this Halloween, we’ve got you covered. These pet parents pulled together their best creative looks and awesome thrifted finds. All you need is a vision, a pair of scissors and a sewing kit to get the job done!

Photo: @the_daxie_trouble

  1. The Gang’s All Here

We can’t resist a gaggle of dachshunds – especially when they’re all dressed up and ready to go! I can’t even pick a favorite from the picture above. At first, I was drawn to the newsboy cap, but then I think the little pumpkin on the left is making me smile the most. Especially with smaller dogs, you don’t need much material to craft their costumes and accessories. Try to remember this as you go through the racks at Goodwill and think about how you might be able to upcycle what you find into an outfit for your pup!

           

Photo: @kyle.tarbill                                                Photo: @cocoscanines

  1. Double Trouble

Everyone always says how humans always look like their dogs… and in this case it’s true! Play up that stereotype by dressing like your dog this Halloween. It’ll be a win-win because you can then bring your pup trick-or-treating or to a Halloween party as your “plus-one.” Not to mention the fact you’ll likely get extra treats because of your sweet four-legged friend!

Know what your pet is dressing up as this Halloween? Tag @goodwillintl in your thrifted, upcycled costume looks for a chance to be featured in a future blog post!

Head over to Goodwill Halloween for more DIY inspiration and ideas.