Halloween is coming up next Friday, and chances are, you don’t have your costume yet. And while the spookiest holiday of the year is right around the corner, you still have plenty of time to plan a creative costume and avoid pulling out your crinkled pirate getup again. (And if you’re over 30, you have some additional rules to live by.)
But, if you’re adverse to those corny packaged costumes that skimp on the material but jack up the price, things get a little trickier when it comes to getting your outfit together. To help you avoid getting ripped off by the Spirit Halloween stores, we’ve rounded up the best thrift and costume stores to search this week and next for the perfect quirky pieces. Whether it’s a tutu for your zombie ballerina costume, a fur vest to complete a woodland creature look, or a chunky sweater for your Twin Peaks character, chances are, you can find it at one of these spots. All you have to do is look for it, of course.
And don’t worry – this way, your costume won’t be a “sexy” anything.
Thrift Stores
Rock City Resale – 379 Cambridge Street, Allston – Rock City Resale has tons of consignment items that could come in handy for a creative costume. Browse the costume jewelry, the gently used clothing racks and pre-loved shoes for a one-of-a-kind outfit.
Oona’s Experienced Clothing – 1210 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square – Looking for a vintage item that you can reuse after Halloween’s over? Try Oona’s in Harvard Square, which sells used clothing from only trustworthy brands.
Vivant Vintage – 318 Lincoln Street, Allston – The recently opened Vivant Vintage is another place to scour for pieces that you can wear on Halloween and beyond. Look for jewelry, accessories and more in store, and if you find something you like, partake in Vivant’s Halloween costume contest on October 29 from 2 to 8 p.m. for a chance to win store credit.
Raspberry Beret – 1704 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge – For retro finds for a modest cost, try Raspberry Beret in Cambridge, where you can stock up on vintage goodies and craft a throwback costume. Other locations can be found in Reading and Wakefield.
Savers – 1230 Veterans of Foreign War Parkway, West Roxbury – If you’re looking for fake blood, makeup, accessories, or pre-made costumes on the cheap, skip the Halloween store and head to Savers. The thrift store gathers all things spooky for the Halloween season, but without the $70 price tag. There’s also a huge selection of used clothing items for the more creative shoppers. Other locations can be found in Norwood, Saugus and Natick.
Buffalo Exchange – 180 Harvard Street, Allston; 238 Elm Street, Somerville – Buffalo Exchange is a great place to shop no matter the time of year, but during the Halloween season, the quirky items you usually just gawk it are given a whole new meaning. Plus, they usually have a stash of Halloween-specific gear like wigs, tutus and more in October.
Boomerangs – Locations in West Roxbury, Central Square, Jamaica Plain and South End – Boomerangs is a goldmine of vintage items, from handbags, to jewelry, to coats and clothing. Looking for something a little more refined? Visit Boomerangs’ newest location in the South End, which is a special edition boutique version of the store. All purchases from Boomerangs benefit the AIDS Action Committee.
Costume Stores
The Garment District/Boston Costume – 200 Broadway, Kendall Square – The Garment District has damn near everything and anything you could be looking for this Halloween, you just have to brace yourself before entering: it won’t be a quick in-and-out stop. Whether you’re searching through their consignment racks, trying on packaged costumes, or hunting out the dollar-a-pound clothing, there’s plenty to be found at Garment District, and plenty of time to do so – it’s open till midnight in October.
Great Eastern Trading Company – 49 River Street, Central Square – At Great Eastern, you’ll find wigs, secondhand items, costume jewelry, accessories and more, to help you put together whatever it is you’re looking to be.
The Costume Company – 489 Massachusetts Ave., Arlington – If you take Halloween seriously, or are just feeling the pressure this year thanks to big holiday plans, hit up The Costume Company in Arlington. They have masks, theater-grade accessories, and costumes from every decade.
New Millennium Costumes – 151 Tremont Street, Boston – Find your costumes, makeup, wigs and accessories at the year-round New Millennium, as well as costumes you can rent, if you don’t feel like making the investment.
Dorothy’s Boutique – 190 Massachusetts Ave., Boston – Another year-round business, Dorothy’s has rows and rows of wigs, clothing, shoes, makeup and accessories for just about any Halloween get up.
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