New York City is a place where there is always a need for a costume. Whether it's a theatrical production, a themed gala for work, or an occupation of Wall Street, there is always the need to look your part. For this reason, there are myriad more costume shops in the five boroughs than most other cities and towns around the world. But what are the best costume shops for your money in New York City? Here is my pick for three of my favorite costume shops to get your Halloween groove on (or just to dress up and scare your girlfriend).
[Related: Top 5 New Yorker Halloween costumes.]
A great place for the ghoulishly inspired, Gothic Renaissance is a full-service costume shop open year-round. The pieces at Gothic Renaissance are geared to the goth subculture. Gothic Renaissance has been open and operational since 2000, and the looks range from elaborate masks to cloaks and corsets. Gothic Renaissance is located at 108 Fourth Ave., 212-673-4546 .
If you're looking for something totally different from Gothic Renaissance, Creative Costume may be the place for you. Claiming to be "creative, original, colorful," Creative Costume Company has all of what you could be looking for from your costume provider. From cave people to space people to showgirls, the costumes at Creative Costume Company run the gamut. Many who are just looking for a costume for one night may not think of Creative Costume Company as the type of place they would be interested in. However, Creative Costume Company does alterations on single-night rentals so you don't even have to buy your Halloween costume if you don't want to. The reveler who is looking for something more like Santa or a goblin or a leprechaun or the Statue of Liberty might be more inclined to rent from Creative Costume. Creative Costume's work has been seen on TV and in print magazines, but they also do things as concentrated as birthday parties and family celebrations. Creative Costume Company is at 242 W. 36th St., #800, 212-564-5552.
If their proximity to one another could be any metric, Gothic Renaissance and Halloween Adventure could be called "the costume distinct" of the East Village. Halloween Adventure claims to have "the largest retail selection of costumes, wigs, masks, props, and decor" in all of New York City. They offer both sales and rentals and even have props to accompany your costume and a full magic section. The inventory at Halloween Adventure is intense and includes frighteningly real character masks, adult costumes, kid costumes, and pet costumes so the whole family can go out and party. Even more than that, Halloween Adventure has hats, makeup, novelty items like gag ties, weapons, and jewelry to make your lavish costume complete. With their helpful, knowledgeable staff, if you can't find it at Halloween Adventure, it probably hasn't made it to New York City yet. New York Costumes is located at 104 Fourth Ave., 212-673-4546.
A child of a couple of Marine brats from Corona, Jesse Schmitt has New York City deeply rooted in his blood. Having lived in different neighborhoods in Manhattan, the Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn and tasted every corner of the five boroughs possible, Schmitt has an informed New York voice.
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