7 Goodwill Shelves Across Mississippi Hide Halloween Costumes For Less Than A Store-Bought Mask
Last October, I walked into a plain thrift store in Mississippi looking for a cheap belt and walked out with a full pirate outfit instead. Store-bought costumes can cost a small fortune, and most people wear them for one night.
Goodwill racks across the state are packed with jackets, dresses, hats, and odd treasures that can turn into almost any character you can dream up. Here are seven stops where your next costume might be waiting for just a few dollars.
1. Goodwill, Jackson, MS
Right off the interstate in the capital city, this Jackson store makes a handy first stop for anyone hunting a costume on a lunch break. Pulling in from I-55 takes almost no effort, and quick visits are what the place does best.
Inside, the focus is on pre-owned clothing, housewares, and a mix of used goods sold at reasonable prices. Racks of clothing are the main draw for costume builders.
A long trench coat can become a detective, a flowy skirt can become a fairy, and a blazer with patched elbows can turn anyone into a mad professor.
Did you know Goodwill of Mississippi calls its stores a Halloween Headquarters each fall? That label fits a spot like this, where mixing and matching basic pieces is the whole game.
Jewelry stands near the front can add sparkle to a queen, a fortune teller, or a disco star.
Hours run Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 6 PM, and Sunday from noon to 6 PM. Afternoons tend to fill up most days of the week, so morning trips offer calmer aisles.
Bring a rough costume idea, then let the racks fill in the rest.
2. Goodwill of Mississippi – Hattiesburg
College towns love a good themed party, and Hattiesburg is no exception. Students and families alike have a strong reason to swing by this Goodwill on US 49 when October rolls around.
Secondhand items here tend to be in good shape and priced fairly, which matters when a costume needs to survive a parade, a dorm party, and maybe a trick-or-treat route. The apparel selection runs deep, so finding a matching set of pieces for a group costume is more realistic than you might expect.
Think a whole crew of 1980s aerobics instructors or a family of scarecrows in flannel.
Here is a smart trick for this store. Start in the clothing section with a color plan, such as all black for a cat or all green for a dinosaur, and pull every piece that fits.
Narrowing by color makes a big rack feel much easier to handle.
Housewares shelves can help too. Old picture frames, baskets, and kitchen items often become clever props that make a costume feel finished.
Hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 6 PM and Sunday from noon to 6 PM, which leaves plenty of time after classes or work.
3. Goodwill Store, Oxford, MS
Picture a pair of name brand athletic shorts marked down to just a few dollars during a sale. That kind of find is part of the fun at this Oxford Goodwill on Jackson Avenue West.
Brand-name pieces show up often, and storewide discounts can push prices even lower. For Halloween, that means a sporty costume, like a tennis champ or a retro gym coach, could cost less than a single pack of face paint.
Cute, quirky items line the racks, giving creative shoppers plenty of raw material.
Staff members keep a polite, helpful presence on the floor, which makes browsing feel relaxed. There are plenty of items to look through, so give yourself enough time to wander every aisle instead of rushing.
Oxford also keeps longer hours than many stops on this list. Doors open Monday through Saturday from 9 AM to 8 PM and Sunday from 10 AM to 6 PM.
Evening shopping is a real option here, which helps anyone juggling classes, games, or jobs during the busy fall season.
Tip for game-day fans: school colors from secondhand sweaters can double as a costume base for a mascot look.
4. Goodwill Biloxi Retail Store & Donation Center
Two hours of browsing and a giant pile of clothes for under fifty dollars sounds like a dream. At the Biloxi store on Pass Road, that kind of haul is a normal part of the experience.
Merchandise quality stands out here, and prices stay reasonable. For costume seekers, quality matters more than you might think.
A sturdy jacket holds up to safety pins, glue, and felt patches far better than a flimsy store-bought outfit.
Goodwill Industries of South Mississippi, which runs this store, also stocks new goods during the season. Children’s and pet costumes start at $3.99, while adult costumes begin at $5.99.
That pricing makes a ready-made option almost as cheap as building one from scratch.
Since this location doubles as a donation center, bringing in last year’s costume can clear closet space and help another family celebrate. Fresh items arrive often, so a second trip a week later can turn up something totally new.
Hours run Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 7 PM and Sunday from noon to 5 PM. Plan a longer visit, because these racks reward patience.
5. Goodwill Store – Orange Grove
Mondays are the secret weapon at this Gulfport stop in the Orange Grove area. Clothes with a featured tag color drop to just $1, turning a costume plan into pocket change.
Imagine building a whole superhero look, cape included, for a few dollars. The store keeps a clean, friendly feel, with a very nice selection of clothing and shoes.
Footwear is often the hardest part of a costume, so a solid shoe section is a big plus for anyone dressing as a cowboy, a ballerina, or a classic witch with pointy boots.
Household goods add another layer of options. Curtains can turn into capes, baskets can serve as candy holders, and old lamps or frames can become fun props for a haunted house display at home.
Planning helps here. Check which tag color is featured that week, then shop that color first before moving to the rest of the store.
Arriving early on a Monday gives you the widest pick.
Hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 7 PM and Sunday from noon to 5 PM. The store also buys used goods, a nice bonus for anyone clearing out closets before the holidays.
6. Goodwill Pascagoula Retail Store & Donation Center
Low prices are the headline in Pascagoula. Shoppers on Denny Avenue come for deals, and the Halloween season makes those bargains even sweeter.
Secondhand clothing fills the floor, giving plenty of options for quick, creative costumes. A plain white button-down can become a scientist, a chef, or a ghostly sea captain with the right hat.
Coastal towns also make nautical looks a natural choice, so keep an eye out for striped shirts and rain jackets.
The parking lot is on the snug side, so a little patience at the entrance pays off. Weekday mornings tend to be the easiest time to grab a spot and browse without a crowd.
The store also carries a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere that makes everyone feel at home while shopping.
As part of Goodwill Industries of South Mississippi, the store supports job training and community programs. Every dollar spent on a costume here helps neighbors build skills and find work, which adds meaning to a fun holiday purchase.
Hours run Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 7 PM and Sunday from noon to 5 PM. Donations are accepted on site too.
7. Goodwill Ocean Springs Retail Store and Career Connections
Size sets this Ocean Springs store apart. The building on Bienville Boulevard is massive, and the rows of clothing stretch far enough to keep a costume hunter busy for quite a while.
Organization is the other big strength. Racks are tidy and easy to scan, so finding a specific item, like a long black dress for a vampire or a vest for a steampunk explorer, feels less like a scavenger hunt.
The huge clothing selection makes this the stop to choose for complicated or group costumes that need many pieces.
Household items are more limited than at some other locations, so plan to grab props elsewhere if needed. Furniture appears on the floor too, which could inspire a spooky front porch setup.
One fun detail sits right in the name. Career Connections services operate here, linking people in the community with job help and training.
A costume bought at this store quietly supports someone working toward a new future.
Hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 7 PM and Sunday from noon to 5 PM. Ocean Springs is known for its artsy downtown, so a creative Halloween look fits right in with the local spirit.