Goodwill Industries has always been the “go-to” place for creative and thrifty costumers, especially during Halloween. It seems natural then for them to hold a national poll to identify the trends that are popular this Halloween. Six different Goodwills, with the help of a PR firm and Goodwill Industries International, polled thousands of Americans by phone and in person to find out what’s hot and what’s not. The results were interesting:
Funny costumes were deemed the most popular type of costume this year, edging out iconic/classic and minimalist costumes. Survey respondents preferred do-it-yourself costumes (51 percent) over packaged costumes (27 percent). The trend shows people are more interested in creating original looks or being creative and unique by blending accessories.
There’s a surge in popularity for group, family and couples costumes as well this year, especially among millennials. Of those planning to wear costumes, 19 percent will look for group, couple or family costumes and 31 percent plan to participate in those costumes this year.
Goodwill customers like the idea of merging two or more traditional costumes to create unique looks. For example, a zombie-princess, pirate-cat or another merged creation. This reflects the trend toward do-it-yourself, creative and original costume designs.
For the second year in a row, zombie, pirate and vampire costumes were found to be the most popular choices.
“Goodwill has everything you need to create a unique costume on a budget,” said Evette Rios, lifestyle expert, television host and Goodwill spokesperson. “Find pieces at Goodwill to wear again, and then look for the right accessories to put together a unique Halloween look. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, come back, because Goodwill stores get new items each day.”
And as far as what NOT to wear? The survey revealed risqué/overly sexy costumes (60 percent) and political costumes (35 percent) would be avoided.