We knew that many people buy or rent costumes for Halloween. We've learned that our readers are also looking for costumes for Christmas, St Patrick's Day, Cinco de Mayo, Mardi Gras, Easter, Thanksgiving, Valentines Day, and other theme parties.
Yesterday we spotted this temporary Halloween Costume store from the regional chain iParty. Pop-up retail stores like this are something we're seeing more of in Boston. The shops are here one day, gone the next, taking advantage of a short selling period for specific items- like Halloween costumes.
But, don't forget that Boston has some great, independently-owned places to find Halloween costumes for your grownup party. And these places will be here for all your other costume events too.
The Garment District in Cambridge is probably the area's best known spot to outfit yourself for any costume party.
It's open seven days a week, and they've extended their hours for this season, opening until midnight every day from October 9th, 2009 through Halloween.
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:
- wash out 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 include mullets, afros, clown colors, pigtails, geishas, ragdolls, cornrows, dreadlocks, flappers and glam styles
- accessories including hats, boas, go-go boots, and wings
Their "Boston Costume" division rents the full rigs for the likes of Batman, the Green Hornet, Marie Antoinette. Or you can be a minuteman, a cowgirl, a knight, or a belly dancer.
Dorothy's Boutique
If you procrastinate, you'll be like these costume seekers, lined up waiting to enter Dorothy's Boutique on Mass Avenue near Symphony Hall. Dorothy's calls themselves "Boston's Halloween Headquarters. The window displays masks, scary arm stumps, strange shoes and accessories. 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.
Visit the Costume Store At Amazon
If you did not procrastinate, and are more of an internet shopper, you can find costumes for the whole family from this one page.
And, in other Amazon news, there was a price cut on the Amazon Kindle today! Click over to see the good news!
Details:
The Garment District Inc.
200 Broadway, Cambridge, MA
www.garmentdistrict.com
Dorothy's Boutique
190 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston MA
Army Barracks
173 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston MA
www.armybarracks.com
iParty Pop up store (temporary location Halloween season 2009)
356 Bolyston Street, Boston MA
