HALLOWEEN SHOPPING NEW YORK AND LA

New York:

New York Costumes Halloween Adventure, 104 Fourth Avenue, East Village +1 212 673 4546 (see map)
New York Costumes, also known as Halloween Adventure (it truly is) is open year round, and houses the largest retail selection of costumes, wigs, masks, props, and decor items in the city. Organized, exciting, and often packed on Halloween weekend, come with plenty of time: the line snakes down the sidewalk.

Ricky’s Superstore, 375 Broadway, Downtown +1 212 925 5490 (see map)
With multiple locations around the city (26 to be exact, not including temporary stores), Ricky’s is a lifesaver for New Yorkers on Halloween. Naughty and nice costume ideas abound, with outfits for adults, children, couples; even the wife’s pregnant belly.

Abracadabra Superstore, 19 West 21st Street, Chelsea +1 212 627 7523 (see map)
Keith Richards has been known to browse this Chelsea Halloween store, offering everything from costumes and accessories (need a black crow for that shoulder, Poe?) to squirm-worthy gags and magic tricks.

Spirit Halloween Superstore, 766 Sixth Avenue, Chelsea +1 845 297 0917 (see map)
This superstore chain with locations all over the city boasts some pretty cute outfits, whether you’re in the market for something sexy (cops, pirates, devils and witches), something tiny (lil’ Baby Monkeys and Penguins!) or something four-leggedy (dress your dog as Dorothy!)

Creative Costume Company, 242 West 36th Street, 8th floor, Midtown West +1 212 564 5552 (see map)
If you’re out to create a great impression on Halloween night, or have a spectacular ball or party to attend, Creative Costume offers elaborate, stage-worthy costumes for rent. Fees range from $50 to $350 for 48 hours. Find a dress up partner; their creative couples section is too much fun to overlook.

Patricia Field, 302 Bowery, NoHo +1 212 966 4066 (see map)
Any Sex and the City fan might want to consider this for their one-stop costume shop. Patricia Field, made famous by her styling on the show, has dedicated a portion of her store to Halloween attire, selling an assorted range of vintage pieces as well as whole costumes. Take a scroll through some of the offerings on her website. Nude sushi bodysuit anyone?

Frankie Steinz, 24 Harrison Street, Tribeca +1 212 925 1373 By Appointment Only (see map)
Frankie Steinz is in fact a costume designer whose name sounds ironically Halloweenish. Her high-concept costumes are available custom made or for rent, and have been worn and adored by the likes of Dolly Parton and Jack Nicholson over the years. Check out her online store for amazing feats of costumery Cupcake? Calculator? You could even go as a cigarette. The sky’s the limit.

Los Angeles:

Halloween Time Superstore, 900 North Pacific Avenue, Glendale +1 818 293 7111 (see map)
With over 10 years of experience in the industry, Halloween Time Superstore provides a great variety of Hallowed Eve get ups (Dexter, Lady Gaga, Scooby Doo) as well as masks, make up and accessories at happily affordable prices.

Halloween Town, 2921 West Magnolia Blvd, Burbank +1 818 848 3644 (see map)
Open all year, Halloween Town supplies costumes, accessories, wigs, burlesque attire, as well as decorative and special effects items for the Halloween Party you’re throwing. A great  selection of costumes include adult, children’s, pets, mens and women’s plus size costumes, ‘back attacks’, ‘stalk arounds’, capes and more.

Western Costume Company, 11041 Vanowen Street, North Hollywood +1 818 508 2147 (see map)
Pretty much the real deal when it comes to LA costumes, Western Costume has been around for a whopping 97 years, and has costumed some of the greatest films ever made; from Gone with the Wind, to The Sound of Music, to Titanic. Rent a special outfit from a major motion picture for Halloween for an unforgettable LA experience.

Hollywood Toys and Costumes, 6600 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood +1 323 464 4444 (see map)
Catering to tourists, locals and movie studios for more than 50 years, Hollywood Toys and Costumes provides affordable props, costumes and all the extras in a show biz town hungry for spectacle. Going to a masquerade ball? There’s a huge selection of masks on offer here.

Ursula’s Costumes, 2516 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica +1 310 582 8230 (see map)
Located in Santa Monica, Ursula’s provides costumes for rent and for sale, as well as fog machine, bubble machine and mascot rentals. They have some great character headpieces, such as The Cheshire Cat and Simba The Lion King.

Trashy Lingerie, 402 North La Cienega Boulevard, West Hollywood +1 310 652 4543 (see map)
If, as a girl you insist on taking the prostitute-esque route for your Halloween costume, at least do it in style. You won’t find the thin, nasty ‘sexy’ costumes that plague the rest of the city here, but quality Los Angeles made outfits, none of which sit any further than a few inches down the thigh. Try and get your costume during sale time as some of the get-ups can set you back well over $500.

Adele’s of Hollywood, 5034 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood +1 323 663 2231 (see map)
The family-owned Adele’s costume shop offers ‘Adult disguises’ ranging from Avatar Navi’s to sexy Devils, Supermen and Batwomen, as well as children’s costumes, accessories, mascot outfits, and costumes for special occasions in multiple sizes. Rental prices start at $40 while purchases start at $15.

Robinson Beautilities, 12320 Venice Blvd +1 310 398 5757 (see map)
You should find everything you need under this one roof. A huge array of costumes for hire and purchase, plus wigs, make up, and accessories. The hire costumes are their main focus though, boasting thousands that can be shipped anywhere in the world.

Iguana Vintage, 6320 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood +1 323 462 1010 (see map); 14422 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks +1 818 907 6716 (see map)
Iguana is a vintage store with pieces from the 1940′s through to 80′s, as well as costumes, a broad selection of wigs, and costume accessories. If you don’t want a specific character costume (though they have these too) have a browse around the store and you should be able to throw together a pretty impressive ensemble.

By Sophie Ward