Here’s our yearly list of places to buy or rent costumes for most any occasion. We find the costume season gears up at Halloween and continues for New Years, Saint Patrick's Day and Mardi Gras.
This is an outdated Post view our new resource page for costumes at this link.
Whether you only think of altering your appearance on Halloween or also like to dress up for holidays, special events, parties, or other reasons …
Check out these Costume Haunts:
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 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 of 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 the 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 were lined up, like this, 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.
Army Barracks
Across the street from Dorothy's is the Army Barracks store. With a little imagination, you can use their surplus gear to create a costume for that upcoming party.
iParty. This regional chain has stores around the area. Here's their store locator.
And, remember to visit the Halloween Shop at 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 not only has the main store, in Coolidge Corner, with lots of holiday party goods but for Halloween they have opened a satelite store in Washington Square. Hours for the rest of October 2012 are at that link.
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.
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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: © 2011 Ed & Penny Cherubino plus a screenshot from The Garment District
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