Vancouver costume shops for your dress-up needs
When you’re trying to figure out what to wear for a theme party, there’s nothing better than finding a creative shop with an inspiring selection of dress-up gear. Whether you’re looking for a spooky, sexy or silly ensemble, these Vancouver costume stores can help you transform your look with out-of-the-ordinary apparel and accessories. [Photo credit: DragonImages]
The Party Bazaar
1296 Station St, Vancouver, BC V6A 2X3You’ll find dress-up gear for all shapes and sizes at this sprawling party emporium. The extensive costume department offers imaginative outfits for babies, kids, teens, adults, (men, women, plus-sized), couples and even pets. Pop-culture fans will appreciate the range of licensed costumes inspired by beloved film, TV and video game characters; think Captain Jack Sparrow, Disney princesses, Edward Scissorhands and Angry Birds in assorted colours. You’ll also find plenty of wigs and props to help you complete the look. After you’ve sorted out your costume, check out the selection of party supplies and decor for your home.
Merchant Of Dream Fashion Ltd
112 Water St, Vancouver, BC V6B 1B2If you can dream it up, these guys can dress you up. Located on a busy stretch of Granville Street in the heart of downtown, Merchant Of Dream specializes in fantastical costumes and accessories for seasonal holidays and special occasions. From pirates and pilgrims to fairies and flappers, you’ll find a great mix of costumes here for men and women. The shop is known for its collection of high quality Venetian eye masks (perfect for your next masquerade ball), professional-grade stage makeup and thematic props and accessories such as wild wigs, coloured contact lenses and feathered false eyelashes.
Watts Costume
8606 Armstrong Ave, Burnaby, BC V3N 2H6Watts first opened its doors in 1935 and is now the longest-running costume rental shop in the city. Based in Burnaby, the extensive rental shop offers more than 10,000 high quality costumes available to rent for your next theme party. The costume library includes funny thematic appeal (clowns, cowboys, cats, cartoon characters), seasonal costumery (Santa suits, Easter Bunny jumpsuits) and historically accurate period pieces than span from Ancient Greece to the 1980s. Many of the imaginative costumes available for rent are created by the in-house designer and are one of a kind, making them extra special and unique.
Studio FX
150-925 Georgia St W, Vancouver, BC V6C 3L2Whether you’re looking for guts and gore or glitter and glamour, Studio FX has the tools you need to transform your skin. Unleash your creativity with special-effects makeup, body paint, false teeth, coloured contacts, faux scars and stage blood. The foam prosthetic kits – available for would-be vampires, hobgoblins, werewolves and other nightmarish creatures – include step-by-step instructions on how to take your face from ordinary to otherworldly. Don’t worry if you’re not a professional make up artist, the expert staff are happy to offer their advice if you need help to achieve that authentically undead Zombie look.
Camouflage International Military Surplus & Supply
888 Granville St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1K3You’ve probably spotted the life-sized soldier statue stationed outside of this Granville Street army surplus shop (perhaps you’ve even posed for a photo with him). The family-owned store has been in business for more than three decades and carries all the tactical gear you need for a police or military-themed costume. Explore the shop for rugged army jackets, camo-print clothing, U.S. Navy pea coats, dog tags, bandanas and hats with Soviet-era emblems. Come Halloween time, the shop is stocked with even more fantasy costume options and accessories, including fishnet stockings, masks, toy guns and fake fangs.
Wildlife Thrift Store
1295 Granville St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1M5If you tap into your imagination, this family-owned thrift store is full of pre-loved apparel that’ll work well for your next costume party. Set aside some time to scan the racks of vintage clothing and accessories to find budget-friendly pieces to incorporate into a thematic costume. Denim cut-offs are great for cowgirls while the cozy plaid shirts are a wardrobe staple that can easily be repurposed into a lumberjack outfit (just add an axe and a fake beard). The second-hand selections are an ideal option for those who don’t want to drop big bucks on an elaborate one-time-wear costume.
Dressew Supply Ltd
337 Hastings St W, Vancouver, BC V6B 1H6If you need to dress up for an event and you’re thinking of making your own costume, there’s no better place to shop for sartorial supplies then Dressew Supply. Dressew carries Vancouver’s largest selection of costume fabrics and sewing supplies. You’ll find feathers, sequins, leather, ribbon, faux fur and all the other costume making supplies or accessories you might need. There are also plenty of unique party supplies and decor items to dress up your home on Halloween night.
Just Imagine Fun Clothing
2-1496 Cartwright St, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Y5Just Imagine Fun Clothing boasts a diverse selection of exciting, affordable costumes for kids and adults. The shop is dedicated to helping kids and adults reach their creative potential, and this philosophy shows in the unique costumes and dancewear (including ballet, jazz and tap) up for grabs on the racks. What’s more, you can find sizes for the entire family at the Granville Island location and at the warehouse on 7th Avenue between Ontario and Manitoba.
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