Where to Buy Halloween Costumes in Los Angeles

Though it only comes once a year, Halloween can be a pretty expensive event. It is not unheard of to spend $300 on a Halloween costume that you may or may not wear again. And, if you go out rather than going to a house-party, you could end up spending another $50-$200! So how can you find a good Halloween costume without spending a week's salary? Here is a list of some great ways to get your Halloween costume in Los Angeles, listed from the least expensive to the most costly.

1. Thrift Stores

As everyone knows, thrift stores can give you a unique, vintage look. You'll have to do some serious hunting through racks and stacks of clothes, but you can spend about $20 for a fun Halloween costume that you can be sure no one else is wearing! Of course, there are hundreds of tiny thrift shops all over LA, but one great place to check is Out of the Closet. These are a chain of thrift stores which support AIDS research, testing, and awareness. Below are a few local locations:

Fairfax
360 N. Fairfax Ave.,
Los Angeles, CA
90036
Phone: 323.934.1956
The Fairfax one is pretty large and covers three storefronts! They usually have a very eclectic Halloween display in the window during the holiday season.

Hollywood
6210 Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA
90028
Phone: 323.467.6811

West L.A.

1608 Sawtelle Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA
90025
Phone: 310.473.7787

Westside
10749 Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA
90064
Phone: 310.481.0013

Glassell Park Superstore
2425 N. San Fernando Rd.
Los Angeles, CA
90065
Phone: 323.223.0838
If you are in the Valley, check the website for Out of the Closet to find more locations.

2. Recycled (Buy-Sell-Trade) Stores

In one sense, these are like a thrift store in that you can find previously owned clothing, but the clothes are much more trendy and current. You will not find children's clothes or costumes here, so only shop for older teens and adults. The great thing is that you can find designer clothes at these stores, so if you're going for a "glam" look for Halloween as opposed to a full-body costume, you are likely to find it. During September and October, they buy Halloween costumes as well as regular clothes, so you can find all kinds of goodies. One plus about shopping at Recycled Clothing stores like Buffalo Exchange and CrossRoads Trading Company is that you can find both new and used items and many of the Halloween costumes will be one of a kind rather than multiples of the same costume. Check out these Los Angeles locations:

Buffalo Exchange
131 N. La Brea Ave.
Los Angeles, CA
90036
Phone: 323.938.8604

Buffalo Exchange
14621 Ventura Blvd.
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
Phone: 818.783.3420

CrossRoads Trading Co.
7409 Melrose Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 0046
Phone: 323.782.8100

CrossRoads Trading Co.

8315 Santa Monica Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA
90069
Phone: 323.654.0505

CrossRoads Trading Co.
1449-B 4^th St.
Santa Monica, CA
90401
Phone: 310.255.0501

Squaresville
1800 N. Vermont Ave.
Los Angeles, Ca 90027
Phone: 323.669.8464

Wasteland
7428 Melrose Ave.

Los Angeles, CA
90046
323.653.3028

Shop at Wasteland if you specifically want quality vintage items. If you are looking for a 60's, 70's, or 80's look, you will definately find something great here.

Wasteland
1338 4^th St
Santa Monica, CA
90401
310.395.2620

3. Specialty Stores and Costume Stores
This one is obvious! Where else are you going to find that Pirate Outfit or Elvira costume? These stores offer popular Halloween costumes for sale and/or rent. Aahs!! offers costumes, toys, and Halloween products for parties. If you want a screaming skeleton, fake cobwebs, spiders, or a smoke machine, this is the place to go. You'll probably pay a bit more for costumes here, but if you're looking for something brand new or you want to find your party favors and your costume all at once, it can be worth it. Ursula's Costumes is a great place to go if you want to buy really elaborate costumes. They carry realistic angel wings and a large variety of Halloween Costumes. You probably won't save money there, but you do have the option of renting Halloween costumes, which might be a great option if you want a theater-worthy costume, but you don't want to pay $200+ for it. And Ursula's is open all year round, so if you are having a costume party, but it's not Halloween, you have a place to go. If you're planning on spending the night at home or if you're going out on the club scene, you might want to check out Playmates or Fredericks for an adult costume.

Aahs!! Sherman Oaks

14612 Ventura Blvd.
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
Phone: 818-907-0300

Aahs!! offers costumes, toys, and Halloween products for parties. If you want a screaming skeleton, fake cobwebs, spiders, or a smoke machine, this is the place to go. You'll probably pay a bit more for costumes here, but if you're looking for something brand new or you want to find your party favors and your costume all at once, it can be worth it.

Aahs!! Santa Monica
3223 Wilshire Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA
90403
Phone: 310-829-1807

Aahs!! Westwood
1090 Westwood Blvd.
Westwood, CA 90024
Phone: 310-824-1688

Aahs!! West Hollywood
8878 W. Sunset Blvd.
West Hollywood, Ca 90069
Tel: 310-657-4221

Aahs!! Torrance
260 Del Amo Fashion Center
Torrance, CA 90503
Phone: 310-370-4377

Fredericks of Hollywood
6751 Hollywood Blvd.
Hollywood, CA 90028
(323) 957-5953

Fredericks offers sexy Halloween costumes for women. You can order online for your convenience: http://www.fredericks.com. Most costumes are between $50-70.

Hollywood Toys & Costumes
6600 Hollywood Blvd.
Hollywood, CA 90028
1-888-760-3330

This is THE costume shop. Whatever you want, you'll find it here. You'll probably have to shell out some cash, but you can find exquisite costumes from different time periods, wigs, swords, blood, professional makeup, and more. Note: Fredericks used to be right next door to Hollywood Toys & Costumes, which was incredibly convenient during the Hollywood season, but Fredericks has now moved closer to Hollywood and Highland

Playmates
6438 Hollywood Blvd.
Hollywood, 90028
(323) 464-7636

Ursula's Costumes
2516 Wilshire Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90403
Phone: 310.582.8230

Ursula's is a great place to go if you want to buy nicer or elaborate costumes. While they are not as big as Hollywood Toys & Costumes, they carry realistic angel wings and a good variety of Halloween Costumes. You probably won't save money here (I once bought a $100 costume from them), but you do have the option of renting Halloween costumes, which might be a great option if you want a theater-worthy costume, but you don't want to pay $200+ for it. And Ursula's is open all year round, so if you are having a costume party, but it's not Halloween, you have a place to go.

The cheaper the venue, the more digging you will have to do to find a suitable costume. It can be very rewarding to find a one of a kind vintage costume for a low price. If you are in a hurry and you have the budget, try one of the specialty stores. You'll get something brand new and everything is well-organized so that you can get in and get out. Your only problem will be which costume to choose!