UW-Madison students target $100 cap on Halloween outfit costs

The nightly scramble on State Street is about to intensify.

For years, the University of Wisconsin-Madison has operated under a distinct social pressure to upgrade costumes each night of the holiday weekend. Senior Hadley Wendorff noted that the culture encourages wearing several elaborate outfits in a single span. "If your friends have a great costume you wanna have a great costume too," she said. This peer dynamic drives many students toward high-volume retailers, even as they seek to keep total costs manageable.

The financial stakes are high. The National Retail Federation projects Americans will spend $13.5 billion on Halloween items this year, averaging $115.14 per person. On campus, students often face a choice between buying a complete, expensive costume or assembling pieces from low-cost, fast-shipping retailers like Shein. To avoid these extremes, many are shifting their strategies.

The shift is visible in the specific habits of current undergrads. Junior Lily Myhra sources her outfits through the resale app Depop, estimating her total spend between $50 and $100. Junior Matteo Rovera acknowledged the trend-driven nature of the holiday. "There's fads for the year," he said. "I would probably only ever wear one Halloween costume a year, but because of what my friends are doing, I have three this year." Despite the increased volume, none of the three students interviewed intend to exceed a $100 budget for the weekend.

This self-imposed cap serves a dual purpose: it manages student budgets and mitigates the environmental impact of disposable clothing. The fashion industry accounts for 10% of global carbon emissions, and 85% of textiles end up in landfills annually. A costume bought for a single night and discarded fits this wasteful cycle perfectly.

To stay within their limits, students are adopting specific alternatives to traditional retail. They shop at local thrift stores, browse Facebook Marketplace, and swap pieces with peers. Others prioritize buying garments that can be reused for daily wear or future events. Whether dressing as a character from the show "Obsession" or Gargamel from "The Smurfs," the goal remains consistent: secure a recognizable look without breaking the bank or contributing to fast fashion waste.

With the holiday arriving this weekend, the streets of Madison will fill with costumed crowds. The students navigating this scene are doing so with a tighter grip on their wallets and a clearer eye for where their materials come from.