From Where We Are

Students cut Halloween costs with wear-and-return costume trend

Photo of three people wearing Halloween costumes.
(Left to right) Chelle Canles, Dani and Kai Knight are three USC students who chose to wear a Halloween costume to campus. (Photo by Tracy Mejia, 2023)

With Halloween spending projected to hit $3.8 billion, USC students are getting creative to save money—buying costumes, wearing them once, and returning them after the weekend. While some rely on Amazon’s lenient policies, others turn to thrifting for a cheaper and more sustainable way to celebrate.