Halloween is right around the corner, and there's no need to break the bank for a killer costume! This year, I decided to transform into Poison Ivy, all while keeping things budget-friendly and sustainable. With just $10, thrifted items from my local Goodwill, and some simple sewing, I had everything I needed. Follow along to learn how you can DIY your own Poison Ivy Halloween look.
Gather Materials
What you'll need:
Green dress (thrifted is always an excellent choice!)
Faux leaves/plants
Sewing clips
Bandeau top
Needle and thread or safety pins
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Step 1: Thrift Your Dress & Plants
I started by heading to Goodwill and found the perfect green dress for my Poison Ivy-inspired look. When thrifting, look for a dress in a shade of green that resembles Poison Ivy's iconic leafy outfit. It doesn't have to be perfect— we're going to make some adjustments! Thrift stores will also typically have faux plants in the home decor section and I found these for just $2!
Step 2: Customize the Dress
Once I had the dress, I made a few alterations to get that signature Poison Ivy vibe:
Make it strapless: To get the right look, I removed the sleeves short sleeves and the top of the dress.
Hem the bottom: Hem the bottom to the desired length. You can either sew the hem or use fabric tape/stitch witchery if you're short on time.
Create Sleeves: Using the excess fabric from hemming, I crafted sleeves to give it a more customized, bold look. Then I clipped the pieces in place and headed to the sewing machine to sew it all together!
Step 3: Add the Greenery
No Poison Ivy look is complete without some plant-inspired accessories. I added some fake ivy leaves to the outfit for a fun, themed touch. I actually safety pinned the branches to a bandeau top underneath the actual dress, and placed a small strip of duct tape on top of the pinned spot so it wouldn't poke through. For a more permanent option, hot glue or a needle and thread would work great!
Step 4: Accessorize the DIY Halloween Costume
To finish off the costume, I paired the dress with a pair of boots that I also thrifted from Goodwill, and small ivy vines in my hair.
Sustainable, Budget-Friendly, and Unique!
This DIY Poison Ivy costume is not only a show-stopper, but it's also sustainable and budget-friendly! Thrifting from Goodwill helped me save money, reduce waste, and create a unique Halloween look. Plus, the versatility of this outfit means I can wear the green dress again – with or without the ivy! Don’t forget to check out your local Goodwill for costume essentials and see what creative ideas you can come up with. Share your DIY Halloween costumes with me in the comments!
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