The Art of the Halloween Look with Evan Hirsch
For Evan Hirsch, Halloween has always been about more than dressing up.
From childhood costumes like Batman, SpongeBob and the Tin Man to the elaborate editorial looks he creates today, Halloween has always been an opportunity to transform.
Today, Evan approaches Halloween like a fashion designer. His costumes have included a reptile creature, a couture killer clown, and a medieval dragon and skeleton prince.
“I think what I love about Halloween is what I love most about fashion,” Evan says.
“The art of transforming oneself, dressing in a heightened way, and becoming a new aesthetic through clothing.”
His inspiration comes from runway fashion, theatrical costume design and pop culture—and when it comes to creating these looks, he doesn't necessarily start by searching for a costume.
He starts with the pieces.
Start With the Vision, Then Work Backward
Instead of searching for a costume that already looks like what you have in mind, think about how you can break that look down into individual pieces.
Could a Marie Antoinette-inspired ball gown start with a prom dress and a crinoline? Could a wizard’s cloak begin with a velvet bathrobe? Could a mummy costume be created by distressing an elegant nightgown?
“There are limitless ways to end up with the perfect result!” Evan says.
That mindset opens up an entirely different way to shop for Halloween. Suddenly, a simple dress, robe or vintage accessory isn't just what it appears to be—it can become the foundation for something completely new.
What to Search for on ShopGoodwill.com
When Evan is thrifting for Halloween, he looks for pieces that immediately communicate a certain theme or feeling.
For character-inspired costumes, he might search for fabrics like spandex or lycra. For period-inspired looks, he looks for frills, lace, ruffles and distinctive embroidery that can be repurposed.
And sometimes, the best Halloween accessories aren't technically costume pieces at all.
Try searches like:
“Vintage” or “antique” for period-inspired looks
“Animal print” or “faux fur” for creature costumes
“Reptile scale pattern” for an unexpected fantasy look
Corsets as a structured costume base
Sheath dresses as a foundation for a transformation
Suits for character-inspired or theatrical looks
Lanterns, broomsticks and wands for authentic accessories
Evan also loves finding high-fashion pieces that can elevate a costume and make it feel more like an editorial look.
Build Your Look From the Base Up
Evan often begins with a simple dress or robe—especially a floor-length piece that gives him plenty of material to work with. From there, he might customize the length, alter the neckline or layer on additional details like corsets, beads and gems.
“I love to start with the base being a plain dress or robe and build my look on top of it,” he says.
Evan's personal design aesthetic often includes flowing chiffon and elegant silhouettes. Halloween gives him the chance to take those elements and make them more unexpected—less polished, more edgy and much less serious.
After all, there are no real rules when it comes to Halloween.
Evan’s Halloween Mood Board
Looking for a little inspiration? Here are some of Evan’s favorite aesthetics—and the secondhand pieces he'd search for to create them.
Gothic
Think Victorian collars, long-sleeve lace dresses and black netted headpieces.
Vintage Hollywood
Go for sequins, feather boas and plenty of pearl jewelry.
Victorian
Look for vintage cameo brooches, crinoline skirts and brocade boleros to add old-world detail.
Witchy
Start with a black dress, then layer on purple lace or a shawl. A wide-brimmed hat can become the perfect finishing piece.
Whimsical Creatures
Evan loves playing with animal prints and faux fur to bring his own fantastical creatures to life.
Evan’s Halloween Finds on ShopGoodwill.com
Sometimes, inspiration starts with a single great find. Evan selected a few ShopGoodwill.com pieces that he thinks have serious Halloween potential.
Black Lace Sheath Dress
A classic black lace dress can instantly become the foundation for a witch-inspired look.
Faux Fur Textile
Don't overlook unexpected textiles. A faux fur piece can become an accessory or detail for an animal-inspired costume.
Reptile Print Shirt
A reptile print is an easy starting point for creating a creature-inspired character.
Vintage Embroidered Robe
A robe can be much more than loungewear. Evan sees pieces like this as versatile costume bases that can be transformed into something theatrical.
Vintage Cameo Brooch
A cameo is a small detail that can completely change the feeling of a look, making it a natural fit for a Victorian-inspired costume.
Why Secondhand Is Perfect for Halloween
For Evan, the creativity that comes from thrifting for Halloween is unmatched.
“The sky is truly the limit when you can transform a piece and make it your own for a costume,” he says.
Secondhand shopping also brings an element of problem-solving to the creative process. Rather than starting with an exact finished product, you're working with what already exists and figuring out how it can become part of your vision.
That means adapting your original idea, finding new uses for materials and thinking creatively about what a piece could become.
For Evan, that process also connects back to sustainability. Turning pre-loved garments into something new gives existing pieces another life—and makes the process of creating a Halloween look feel even more meaningful.
Make It Your Own
The best Halloween looks don't always come from finding the perfect costume. Sometimes, they start with a dress you weren't expecting, a vintage brooch, an old robe or a piece of faux fur—and a little imagination.
So this Halloween, try approaching ShopGoodwill.com a little differently. Instead of searching for one complete costume, search for the individual pieces that could help you create one.
Start with your vision. Work backward. Experiment, layer and transform.
And most importantly, make it your own.