Thrift Your Halloween Costume in Pomona: A Shopper's Game Plan for ACTS
A Halloween costume from a party store costs real money and lasts one night. A thrifted one costs a few dollars, you can try it on first, and you can wear half of it again in November. That's the case for shopping a thrift store for Halloween costumes in Pomona, at ACTS Thrift Store on Foothill Blvd. What you'll find is a floor full of jackets, dresses, hats and odd pieces that turn into something good with a little imagination. Here's how to shop it.
Quick answers
Thrifted costumes are built from pieces: jackets, dresses, hats and accessories off the regular racks. Shop early in the week or early in the day, since new items hit the floor daily. Check the weekly color-tag markdowns before you pay. All sales are generally final, so try things on. Every purchase funds local partners serving families, kids, and people experiencing homelessness.
Can you find a Halloween costume at a thrift store?
You can, as long as you shop for pieces instead of a finished outfit.
Nobody walks into a thrift store and finds "Pirate, Adult Medium" on a hanger. You find a billowy white shirt in menswear, a long vest in outerwear, and a belt with a big buckle in accessories. Put them together and you've got a pirate who looks a lot better than the one in the plastic bag.
That's the mindset. Pick a character, break it into four or five parts, then go hunting.
What costumes are easiest to build from thrift finds?
The ones that come from real clothes. A few that work almost every year:
Any decade. The '70s need a wide-collar shirt or a long flowy dress. The '80s need a blazer with shoulders and something loud. The '90s are a flannel tied at the waist and a denim jacket. Velour tracksuit spotted? Congratulations, you're the early 2000s.
The farmhand or scarecrow. Flannel, overalls or old jeans, a straw hat. Stuff some raffia in the cuffs if you've got it at home.
The retired grandpa. Cardigan, slacks, button-up, reading glasses. Comfortable enough to wear all night, which counts for a lot at a house party.
The detective. A trench coat does ninety percent of the work.
The bride or groom of something spooky. An old formal dress or suit, plus whatever makeup you can manage. This one is great for couples.
We can't promise what's on the rack on a given day (inventory turns over every day), so keep two or three ideas in your back pocket and let the store decide.
When is the best time to shop ACTS for costume pieces?
Early. New items arrive daily, so the best shot at a full selection is early in the week or early in the morning.
And don't wait until October 30. The racks don't restock with Halloween in mind. If everyone in town had the same idea about the trench coat, it's gone. Starting this week gives you a couple of trips to fill in missing pieces.
The Pomona store is open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 9 to 6, and Sunday 10 to 5.
How do the color tag sales work?
Every item carries a colored tag, and each week certain colors get marked down. The current week's deals are posted on the Sales page at actsthrift.org, and members of our free Giving & Helping Club get extra member-only promotions.
Here's the move: pick out your pieces, then check the tags against this week's colors before you head to the register. A costume that was already cheap can get cheaper.
We take cash and major credit and debit cards.
What should I check before I buy?
Fit first. All sales are generally final (see our FAQ), so try it on in the store rather than hoping it works at home.
Then check the zippers, the seams and the armpits. A small tear is fine for a zombie (it helps). It's less fine for a blazer you plan to keep. Give everything a quick sniff, too. Most cotton and denim wash fine at home, but if the label says dry clean only, count that into the price.
Last tip: think about what you'll wear again. That cardigan from the grandpa costume might end up in your regular rotation. Plenty of ours have.
Where does my costume money go?
This is the part a party store can't match.
ACTS is a nonprofit, and 100% of our net proceeds go back to the community. That money supports local partners like Door of Hope, Hoving Home, Inland Valley Hope Partners and Pacific Lifeline, who work with families, children, and people experiencing homelessness in our area.
So the five dollars you spent on a trench coat doesn't disappear into a corporate earnings report. It stays local and helps someone here.
And when Halloween is over? Wash the pieces you won't wear again and bring them back as a donation. Someone else gets to be the detective next year. That's the whole loop: donate, shop, give back.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I return a costume piece after Halloween?
All sales at ACTS are generally final, so try everything on in the store before you buy.
When does ACTS restock?
New items arrive daily. For the best selection, shop early in the week or early in the day.
What payment does ACTS Thrift accept?
Cash and major credit and debit cards.
Does ACTS sell online?
No. Sales are in-store only, at the Pomona, Pasadena and Duarte locations.
Can I donate my costume back after Halloween?
Yes. Wash it and drop it off at any ACTS location during business hours, and you'll get a donation receipt.
Come build your costume this week
Make a list of two or three costume ideas, grab a friend, and head to ACTS Thrift at 232 E. Foothill Blvd in Pomona. Check the Sales page for this week's color tags before you go, and join our free Giving & Helping Club if you haven't. Quality finds, affordable prices, and a costume nobody else at the party will have.
