Abracadabra
19 W. 21st St., bet. Fifth and Sixth Aves.; 212-627-5194; abracadabrasupestore.com
If it’s been in a movie this year, you’ll find it at Abracadabra. The Halloween emporium specializes in sci-fi and fantasy, with over 3,000 masks and 50,000 costumes—any era, any medium, any whatever. Plus, you can get what you want delivered within a week.
• Accessories: Wigs, hats, props, masks, make-up and shoes
• Most Popular: Pimps, prostitutes, superheroes, and Zorro
• Kid-Friendly: Yes
Creative Costume Company
242 W. 36th St., 8th fl, bet. Seventh and Eighth Aves.; 212-564-5552; creativecostume.com
This garment-district shop is packed with stage-worthy attire and couple-friendly costumes: Scarlett and Rhett, Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI, even bottle-blonde Jeannie and Major Nelson. Costume rentals run from $35 to $300 for the week of Halloween.
• Accessories: Wigs, hats and shoes
• Most Popular: Belly dancers, period costumes, and Zorro
• Kid-Friendly: No
Frank Bee Costume
3435 E. Tremont Ave., near Bruckner Blvd. (The Bronx); 718-823-9792; frankbeecostume.com
In business since 1957, this megastore claims to have the largest costume selection in the universe. And with its stock traversing more than 60 categories like “Superheroes and Villains” and “The Roaring Twenties,” that very well might be true. They have the basics absolutely covered, with more than 20 devil costumes alone, and offer a huge selection of offbeat outfits too: the Pilsbury Doughboy and TV’s Mr. Bill. For those having touble finding the perfect fit, sizes extend to XXXXL.
• Accessories: Wigs, masks, capes, make-up, hats and props
• Most Popular: Couple costumes (plug and socket, nut and bolt), Fantastic Four, The Incredibles, princesses, Spiderman, and various characters from Star Wars
• Kid-Friendly: Yes
Halloween Adventure
104 Fourth Ave., at 11th St.; 212-673-4546; newyorkcostumes.com
Boasting the most square-footage of any Halloween shop in Manhattan, Adventure is a mecca for aspiring ghouls, superhero impostors, and faux fairy tale princesses. (They even have costumes for your pets.) Prices range from $29.99 to $1,000.
• Accessories: Wigs, hats, shoes, jewelry, props, masks, and make-up
• Most Popular: Batman, Fantastic Four, Harry Potter, Spiderman and various characters from Star Wars
• Kid-Friendly: Yes
Havin’ a Party Limited
9520 Ave. L, bet. 95th and 96th Sts. (Brooklyn); 718-251-0500; havinaparty.com
This outer-borough party supply store offers hundreds of costumes for sale and rent as well as dozens of masks that range from the traditionally scary (Jason, Chucky) to the unexpectedly so (Barbara Streisand, Howard Stern). The shop is also the go-to location for pimp attire that can be customized with rings, chains and gold teeth along with your suit, hat and cane.
• Accessories: Wigs, shoes, masks, jewelry and make-up
• Most Popular: Pimp
• Kid-Friendly: Yes
Paramount Party Supplies
52 W. 29th St.; bet. Broadway and Sixth Ave.; 212-696-9664
Paramount caters to the emerging politico in all of us. The modest novelty shop features reasonably-priced politician masks, plus wall-to-wall accessories. Check out their collection of classic gag items like chattering teeth.
• Accessories: Masks, props, jewelry, and make-up
• Most Popular: Fantastic Four, The Incredibles, and Spiderman
• Kid-Friendly: Yes
Party City
12 locations in all five boroughs; partycity.com
This national discount party store has lots of basic costumes such as firefighters for children and doctors for adults, with a few wacky options thrown in for good measure. Some may find the blackjack dealer a little awkward for dancing considering the table attached.
• Accessories: Masks
• Most Popular: Belle, Cinderella, clown, The Incredibles, pirate, Power Rangers, Snow White, teen Goth vampire
• Kid-Friendly: Yes
Ricky’s
Multiple locations, rickys-nyc.com
These glammed-out drug stores turned costume shops are a drag queen’s dream. Choose from their wide selection of hair dyes, costume embellishments and off-the-wall novelty items. The chain’s Lil’ Ricky’s location (1372 First Ave., bet. 73rd and 74th Sts.; 212-452-4628) stocks costumes for children.
• Accessories: Wigs, make-up, and masks
• Most Popular: Willy Wonka, Strawberry Shortcake, and Rainbow Brite
• Kid-Friendly: Lil’ Ricky’s only
Rubie’s Costume Company
120-08 Jamaica Ave. (Queens); 718-846-1008; rubies.com
If you’re looking to make dressing up a family affair—from the Queen of Hearts for mom to a beauty queen for Dad (yes, sizes accomodate)—head to Rubie’s. The company manufactures and maintains an inventory of 15,000 wigs, full costumes, and accessories—there are even options for your four-legged friends. Spend $65 to $150 on a Rubie’s rental get-up, or opt for a custom job.
• Accessories: Wigs, hats, masks, and shoes
• Most Popular: Batman, Darth Vader, ninja, princess, scarecrow, and vampire
• Kid-Friendly: Yes
Also for your consideration…
Allan Uniform Rental
121 East 24th St., 7th fl, bet. Park Ave. So. and Lexington Ave.; 212-529-4655; ibuss-allan.com
Perfect for aspiring doormen, bellhops, custodians and security guards, Allan’s carries top quality uniforms along with tuxedo shirts and high-collared jackets. Doorman uniforms are available to rent or purchase; shirts and jackets are for sale only. Prices for rentals range from $85 to $300.
• Accessories: Hats, gloves, and props
• Our Pick: Chef
• Kid-Friendly: No
Craft Clerical Clothes
247 W. 37th St., 17th fl, bet. Seventh and Eighth Aves.; 212-764-6122; duffyandquinn.com
Frequented by costumers from SNL, Law and Order, and a host of aspiring Edith Heads, this shop stocks the real deal in Catholic school uniforms, clerical garb, and judicial robes.
• Accessories: Hats
• Our Picks: Priest’s shirt and collar
• Kid-Friendly: No
Western Spirit
395 Broadway, at Walker St.; 212-343-1476; westernspirit2000.com
Invoking the spirit is what this high-end shop is all about so why not pioneer into cowboy garb? At Western Spirit, you can get in touch with your inner wrangler via cushy moccasins, ten-gallon hats, holstered belts and coon-skin caps.
• Accessories: Hats, shoes, and belts
• Our Picks: Navajo with Authentic headdress
• Kid-Friendly: Yes