Costume Shops

Why Visit Costume Shops?

Even the most well-stocked retail store doesn't come close to the selection of a dedicated shop. These stores offer full costumes, allowing you to become anything from Superman to Tinkerbell. They also offer make-up, wigs, hats, masks, and a multitude of accessories to add the perfect finishing touch to any costume.

Costume stores are available year-round. When you need a poodle skirt for a 50s-themed dance in February or a tiara for a costume party in July, you won't have to lament the lack of Halloween costumes.

While costume shops may carry some discount products, you're more likely to find theatrical-quality make-up and durable costumes and accessories. If your ten-year-old is dressing up as Dracula for Halloween, then the $4.99 black plastic cape at K-Mart will work just fine, but if you're going to spend the summer performing at a Renaissance Faire, you'll definitely benefit from the better construction and richer fabrics of the costume shop.

Some costume stores also offer costume rentals, which is especially helpful for more involved, high-quality costumes which would be too expensive for the casual wearer to purchase. Full-body gorilla suits, and authentic period dresses, complete with hoop skirts and bustles, are just two of the possibilities.

Specialty shops can offer you personalized attention and expert advice you won't find at a discount retailer. The shop owner and even the workers are likely passionate about costuming and have years of experience in the field. When you're walking through the aisles of a local discount retailer, the teenaged stock clerk probably isn't going to be able to suggest make-up tips or help you evaluate the quality of a costume's construction.

Finding a Shop

Check your local phone book or search online to find nearby costume retailers. The larger the city, the better your chances of finding one.

In the world of theater, a costume shop is a particular group's stock of costumes. If you have a theater or a college theater department in your area, call and ask about the availability of costumes. They may in fact open their doors to the public, either through rentals at Halloween time or during special sales of costume stock they no longer need.

As Halloween approaches, some specialty Halloween stores spring up in vacant buildings in strip malls and shopping centers. They may set up in shop in August or September, but they're gone on November 1. These stores, like HalloweenUSA, offer an extensive selection of costumes and accessories. These stores strike the perfect balance between discount retailer and dedicated costume shop. You'll find the wide selection you want while also enjoying the lower prices a national store can provide. The seasonal employees aren't necessarily passionate about their product or able to offer helpful costuming advice, though.