Whether you only think of altering your appearance on Halloween or also like to dress up for holidays, special events, parties, or other reasons, this post is for you. We've even included a couple of places that carry party goods and elegant seasonal home decor.
This post was updated for Halloween 2017.
Just before Halloween and the traditional holiday seasons seems like the best time for us to make a list and check it twice to help you locate places to buy or rent costumes for most any occasion. Costume season gears up at Halloween and continues for Santa time, New Years, Saint Patrick's Day, Mardi Gras, and beyond!
Please let us know if we've missed one of your favorite sources of costumes and accessories. And tell us about your all-time favorite Halloween Costume in the comments below.
The Garment District in Cambridge has a floor devoted to Boston Costume. This is probably the best-known spot to outfit yourself for any costume party.
It's open seven days a week. And "Open 'til Midnight ALL October!"
They sell and rent costumes and have lots of vintage & secondhand clothing, if you want to create your own.
They also sell items to finish the look, like:
- washout hair color in tones of atomic turquoise and cotton candy pink
- prosthetics like scars, bullet holes, horns, pointed ear tips, and witch noses with the materials to attach them
- masks from simple gold or black eye masks, to elaborate Venetian designs or feathery carnival styles
- heads to transform you into a bear, lion, or gorilla
- an endless selection of wigs includes: mullets, afros, clown colors, pigtails, geishas, ragdolls, cornrows, dreadlocks, flappers, and glam styles
- accessories include: hats, boas, go-go boots, and wings
Their "Boston Costume" division rents full rigs for the likes of Batman, Green Hornet, and Marie Antoinette. Or you can be a minute man, cowgirl, knight, or belly dancer.
Soon you'll find people lined up (above) waiting to enter Dorothy's Boutique on Mass Ave. near Symphony Hall. They call themselves "Boston's Halloween Headquarters" and display masks, scary arm stumps, strange shoes, and accessories in the window. The website makes it clear that these are costumes for adults. Risque is their specialty.
If you want a quick look before you get in line, you can click over to the Google view of the store's fully stocked interior.
For luxe Halloween decor and fun accessories, visit Blackstone's of Beacon Hill. They have a fabulous selection of fun and tasteful decorations, masks, and accessories for the holiday.
Party Favors in Brookline in Coolidge Corner has lots of holiday party goodies!
New additions to our list.
Here are a couple of places recommended by our social media friends and readers. We have not checked these out personally but confirmed they are open this year.
Oona's in Harvard Square has this photo featured on their site. Vintage costumes can be fun.
Great Eastern Trading Co. in Central Square Cambridge sell vintage if that is the direction you would like to take with your costume.
The Costume Company in Belmont.
Note: These Are Closed
In case you have visited New Millennium Costumes on Tremont Street in the past, they have closed.
Reflections on Newbury Street had some great holiday items in past years but is now closed. The good news is that if you loved their style, you can get similar items at Blackstone's of Beacon Hill.
If you're more of an Internet shopper, you can find costumes for the entire family from this one page: Visit the Costume Store At Amazon.
Details:
Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: © 2011-2014 Ed & Penny Cherubino plus a screenshot from The Garment District and top photo from iStockphoto.com
