BETHLEHEM, Pa. — People searching for last-minute Halloween costumes in the region are looking at Marvel comic book heroes, inquisitive cartoon characters and "Clueless" fashionistas.
The most-searched costumes in the Philadelphia region (which includes the Lehigh Valley, according to Google's Frightgeist, are: Deadpool, Wolverine, Michael Myers from "Halloween," and the movies "Maleficent" and "Clueless."
In the Scranton area, the Top 5 are: the movie "Coraline," Teddy Bear, Black Panther, a fairy and Wolverine.
While versions of these characters can be bought at big-box chain stores, you also can do it yourself.
Several local consignment and thrift shops carry the clothes you need to look — as "Clueless'" main character Cher Horowitz would say — "full on Monet" this Halloween.
Why shop second-hand?
Shopping second-hand is good for the environment, experts say. And it seems as if consumers are catching on to the trend.
A sign at The Attic, a consignment boutique at 516 Main St., Bethlehem, says the fashion industry is responsible for 10% of global greenhouse emissions.
Those statistics are from a United Nations Climate Change study.
Those numbers correspond to another study by Earth.org that states every year in the United States, 11.3 million tons of textile waste — or 85% of all textiles — are sent to landfills.
However, another study revealed that resale/vintage shopping is a consumer trend on the rise.
Nearly 1.4 billion second-hand apparel items were purchased in the United States in 2022 — up 40% from 2021, according to an August study by Capital One Shopping.
The financial company says the U.S. secondhand market has grown 87% since 2018.
That same report says that in 2023, the U.S. secondhand market generated $53 billion in revenue, and thrift store shoppers save an average of $1,760 per year by buying second-hand.
Staff at The Attic said their revenue doubles during the holiday shopping season, from Halloween to Christmas Day.
Preppy and chic, whimsical fairies
The Attic, which opened in 2008, consigns accessories, jewelry, footwear, apparel and unique Christmas gifts.
The quaint boutique also carries new items, such as Halloween-themed headbands, earrings and novelty socks.
Recently, "Clueless" inspired outfits such as plaid skirts and jackets, along with whimsical skirts and tops suitable for a fairy costume, started at less than $10.
For information, go to The Attic website.
'Wolverine' and rugged jeans
Over at Plato's Closet, 1922 Catasauqua Road
Allentown, rows of men's jeans line the racks, perfect for a Logan look from Marvel's "Wolverine."
Main character Logan's off-duty staple, after all, is brown boots (which were also spotted at the store) blue denim and a tight white T-shirt.
Also spotted at the store: blue-jumpsuits (hello, Michael Myers), shiny black boots (ideal for a "Black Panther" themed look) and a few yellow jackets (a la"Coraline").
Plato's Closet is a small chain store that buys and sells teen gently used clothes.
For information, visit its website.
'Coraline' yellow jacket, leather leggings
At the same shopping plaza are discount stores Style Encore and Once Upon a Child, the sister shops to Plato's Closet.
Style Encore, a women's shop, carries black leather designer handbags and plaid coats to complete a "Clueless" costume, along with thigh-high black boots, black velvet dress and black leggings ($13) suitable for a "Maleficent" or "Black Panther" inspired-outfit.
Inside, shoppers will find yellow jackets (one retailed at $16) and shirts for a "Coraline" costume (pair it with a blue wig and boots, the latter spotted inside the discount store).
Style Encore is at 1898 Catasauqua Road in Allentown. It also buys and sells gently used ladies clothes and accessories.
Visit its website for more information,
More places to shop
Other area places to shop for Halloween ware include:
Better Buy Thrift Shop: 21 Wyandotte St., Bethlehem, 610-867-6764, facebook.com/BetterBuyThriftShop
Cut the Scrap!, used art supplies: 735 N. 19th St., Allentown, 835-233-3684,facebook.com/groups
Friends Boutique and Wagon Wheel Antiques: 1005 Hanover Ave., Allentown, 610-434-6445,facebook.com/p/Friends-Boutique-Wagon-Wheel-Antiques
The Kids Clothesline: 302 N. 17th St., Allentown, thekidsclothesline.com
The Perfect Fit Resale Boutique of the YMCA Allentown: 26 N. 6th St., Allentown, 484-408-9607, facebook.com/YWCAPerfectFitBoutique
The 330 Thrift: 421 W Broad St., Bethlehem, 484-221-7597, facebook.com/the330thrift
Zady Closet: 509 N. 7th St., Allentown, instagram.com/zadycloset
