Halloween Shopping at Goodwill

This month's blog post features tips and trends from @what.riva.wore, one of Goodwill's 2025 influencer partners. Riva is a Milwaukee-based fashion and lifestyle blogger who loves to second-hand shop and thinks you can never have too many vintage brooches! (We agree.) 

Find Creative Costumes and Spooky Home Decor

It’s officially spooky season! Halloween is the perfect time to show your creativity and have a little fun by shopping for creative costumes and spooky home décor. Whether you’re planning an amazing costume for the entire family, or just looking for a unique outfit for yourself, Goodwill is your one-stop shop for all things Halloween. From costumes and accessories to festive décor, you’ll find everything you need to bring your spooky vision to life, without breaking the bank and staying sustainable!

Shop the Halloween Section

Each Goodwill of Greater Milwaukee & Chicago store hand-curates a Halloween section filled with preselected costumes, décor, and themed items. Whether you have a costume in mind or need a little inspiration, this area is a goldmine and will definitely drum up your creative side. You’ll find both prepackaged costumes and individual pieces to mix and match, allowing you to create something truly your own. The best part? Many items are brand new or gently used, making it easy to piece together a standout look without spending a fortune.

Think of this section as your Halloween headquarters. Aside from grabbing a costume, you can grab accessories like wigs, hats, and masks to complete your outfit, or start with a costume base and build from there. This is a great way to have a stress-free visit, even if you are shopping last-minute. 

Visit the Other Sections

Once you’ve explored the Halloween area, take a walk through the rest of the store, you never know what you’ll find! The clothing racks are full of possibilities for creating or enhancing your costume. You might find the perfect vintage dress for an era-themed costume, or even a coat that can enhance your look. Bonus if you can find a piece that you’ll wear after Halloween.

Accessories, shoes, and even home décor sections can also surprise you with hidden gems. From funky scarves to items you can repurpose or DIY, Goodwill is full of inspiration and items to make dressing up the Halloween stress free.

Bonus: Try visiting more than one location to see the variety of selections available. Each store has its own mix of inventory and stocks thousands of items daily, so you’ll have even more options to explore as you perfect your costume.

Think Beyond Costumes


Goodwill is also a great place to stock up on Halloween décor. You can find everything from spooky candle holders and glassware to pieces you can easily upcycle into festive decorations. It’s an easy way to decorate your home sustainably while keeping things affordable.

Support a Greater Mission

When you shop at Goodwill, you’re doing more than finding a costume, you’re supporting job training and employment programs that help people in your community. Shopping secondhand keeps items out of landfills and supports a mission that makes a local impact.

So this Halloween, shop smart, shop sustainably, and show off your creativity with a costume that’s uniquely you. Stop by your local Goodwill to find your next spooky look, stock up on decorations, and make this Halloween the best one yet.