Suffolk’s Performance and Arts Council, Thrift-o-RAMa and WSFR collaborated to produce a campus costume sale in the Sawyer lobby Oct. 15 and 16. With every item $5 or less, it created the opportunity for affordable costumes and fought the greater issue of fast fashion.
“This is a way to get everybody on campus a cheap costume. [Suffolk Performing Arts] is getting rid of a ton of them, so we’re facilitating a sale for them,” said Keira Haughey, the president of PAC.
Americans spent $11.6 billion on Halloween products in 2024, making it the 9th highest-grossing holiday. The price for a single Halloween costume can get as high as $150 at Spirit Halloween.
“The costume sale was a great opportunity for students, since Halloween costumes annually break the bank,” said Liv Haydar, general manager of WSFR.
“It’s pretty cheap. I think the most expensive thing we have is the costumes, like there’s a Dorothy costume and that’s $5,” said Haughey, highlighting the sale’s awareness of student budgets.
The racks featured everything from prom-style dresses to monkey onesies. The sale was not limited to costumes. Wild Fable sweaters, simple white button-ups and everyday jackets could also be found.
The sale was also a fundraising effort for PAC because of Suffolk club’s budget cuts.
“PAC doesn’t have a budget,” said Haughey, “All the revenue we make from this sale is our budget for the year.”
To WSFR, this sale served as a promotion for their club when they DJ-ed Oct. 16.
“Not a lot of people know Suffolk has [a radio station],” said Haydar. “The collaboration brought interested students to the table, asking about DJ-ing opportunities and starting their own live show or podcast.”
WSFR is looking forward to collaborating with more clubs. Currently, they are DJ-ing PAC Open Mic Nights, which are on the first Thursday of every month. Clubs interested in working with WSFR are encouraged to reach out through Instagram or email.
To those who missed the sale, students still have another week to find costumes before Halloween. During that time, Thrift-o-RAMa will be open in the Sawyer lobby on weekdays until 5 p.m. As Suffolk’s own thrift store, it is part of an ongoing effort to battle fast fashion with sustainability and affordability.
It is estimated that 11.6 million pounds of textile waste are produced every Halloween in the United States. Only 35% of consumers DIY their own costumes — the remaining majority use store-bought costumes. In a time where overconsumption is a prominent concern about the future of our planet, Halloween is an easy starting place for everyday people to make a difference.
“Instead of landfills and getting rid of a bunch of clothes, this is a way to be more sustainable,” said Haughey.
By utilizing the campus costume sale, students took steps to lower Halloween costs, improve the holiday’s environmental impact and support Suffolk’s clubs.
This was only one of many Halloween events hosted by Suffolk and its clubs. The Asian American Association is sharing spooky stories at their UrbAAAn Legends event Oct. 21, Circle K International is hosting a pumpkin painting night Oct. 22 and Move it or Lose It is doing PUMPkin Painting Oct. 28. This spooky season is an excellent time for Suffolk students to get involved on campus.
