Where is your favorite place to buy costumes?

[Fairy]

My favorite without quesiton is PBK. I love their costumes SO much. We've gotten them there (and before that the Gap and Disney), and this year I was looking forward to more of the same. However, DS wants to be Darth Vader, and so I'm struggling. PBK's costumes are so high quality and last forever. I guess I'm done there now, sob.

So, do you have any other favorites? Buycostumes.com seems ok for the quality. Just trying to avoid what I could buy at Party City.

[ellies mom]

In an ideal world, I love to make their costumes. But sometimes, I get out voted or time/money is tight and then I suck it up and buy their costumes. Sometimes, Gymboree/Crazy 8 and sometimes a local Halloween shop. It just depends. Last year, both girls were superheros. DD1's costume came from a local shop and DD2's costume came from Crazy 8. I have no idea what they want to be this year. I haven't really thought about it.

[bubbaray]

Pretty much Target or Walmart. But I generally get them "dress up" stuff that they can wear later. Princesses and such. If the weather were ever decent, I'd use dance costumes, but its usually too cold/wet by then. I have used the dance costumes for daytime/indoor events, though.

[citymama]

I love PBK and the old babystyle costumes (do they still make them?) but I am not going to pay that kind of money for Halloween costumes. I'm happy with Old Navy or Carters or TCP - anything under $25 that is decent quality.

[Fairy]

I don't mind paying stupid money (but I'm like that with Halloween costumes, I take them very seriously). I just don't want low quality. So, that's why I loooooove PBK, they are fantastic. But the Darth Vader costumes I've found online all seem like what I'd get at the Halloween outlets or Party City or whatever. Now, when I say stupid money, i don't mean the practically authentic ones I found for $800 online. Nooooo no no no. But I'd pay $100. I just need the right costume. I'm at a loss.

[rlu]

DS is not into dress-up so we don't spend $$ on costumes that really only get worn a few days. That's not to say he isn't imaginative, he justs skips the costume part and goes straight for the play-acting.

We tend to scavenge at Goodwill for components. We did buy a Spiderman costume at Party City last year, with coupon about $20, that he wore three times and I'm taking to kid2kid since they were selling similar ones previously.

This year DS wants to be a soldier so we'll probably head over to the Surplus store for ideas.

[jenstring95]

Hey Fairy,

What about Chasing Fireflies? Here is Darth Vader:

http://www.chasing-fireflies.com/darth-vader-costume/productinfo/25770/

[sste]

Fairy, no advice but I will throw down for costumes too. I attempt to rationalize it by the fact that DS wears his costumes alot - - there are usually at least five parties/dress up things we go to in the month of October.

PBK has gotten a good chunk of change from me too! :)

[Fairy]

Hey Fairy,

What about Chasing Fireflies? Here is Darth Vader:

http://www.chasing-fireflies.com/darth-vader-costume/productinfo/25770/

That one does look good! but there is no reviews area on Chasing Fireflies (which I'd completely forgotten about them, thanks for the reminder!), and this costume looks like one of them on Amazon, which has mixed reviews. If it's the same one, it's cheaper at Amazon, but ... can't tell if it's the same!

[Fairy]

Fairy, no advice but I will throw down for costumes too. I attempt to rationalize it by the fact that DS wears his costumes alot - - there are usually at least five parties/dress up things we go to in the month of October.

PBK has gotten a good chunk of change from me too! :)

Their skeleton costume is sooooo good i cannot tell you. NO need for coat in cold wx, just layer them underneath it, and they're good to go, it's so thick and well-made.

[bubbaray]

I bet someone on Etsy would make you a nice one for $100. Can't you post a "want" on Etsy somehow??

[Fairy]

I bet someone on Etsy would make you a nice one for $100. Can't you post a "want" on Etsy somehow??

I always forget about Etsy. That's a good idea. Will check there!

[WatchingThemGrow]

yard sales or consignment sales - I can't stand to actually PAY much for costumes. We're not big on Halloween anyway, so it makes no sense for us to buy stuff to dress up unless it is something for the "dress up" stash. DD got DS1 a M&D firefighter costume that has been a favorite. It was by far the most exp. one we've ever gotten, and it was $17-18.

[KrystalS]

That one does look good! but there is no reviews area on Chasing Fireflies (which I'd completely forgotten about them, thanks for the reminder!), and this costume looks like one of them on Amazon, which has mixed reviews. If it's the same one, it's cheaper at Amazon, but ... can't tell if it's the same!

I've been searching for DD a costume and I noticed some of the ones at Chasing Fireflies look at lot like the ones on the cheaper sites. We did a cheaper costume last yr for DD and she hated it. Plus after wearing it for one event it got a huge hole in it! I also don't mind spending extra $$ because they get worn at least 3 times. I love the PBK ones but DD is 7 and doesn't want a "baby" costume! Of course she also has no idea what she wants to be so that isn't helping me either!

[Kindra178]

What about Sensational Beginnings? I can't decide if the Chasing Fireflies or Sensational Beginnings will have better quality super hero type costumes than some of the bad costume stores.

[alien_host]

I always loved PBK and Babystyle and Babygap. Now we end up with Disney Store or My Dress Up Trunk for princess costumes.

I hear you about the cheapo Party Store costumes!

I'm in need of a Princess Leia costume. I'm thinking of making or having my mom sew the "robe" and I'll crochet the hair. Not to hijack the thread but does anyone think white polar fleece would work for the robe? It gets chilly here on Halloween.

[alien_host]

How about having a nice black cape made? He could wear a black turtleneck/long sleeved shirt and black sweats under the cape. You should be able to find a darth vadar mask somewhere (I'm thinking most of those are similar in quality).

i've seen toy stores with Boba Fett head masks as toys...do they have a vadar one?

Get a light saber and you should be all set.

Ok this is $100 on amazon for the mask...has to be somewhere cheaper: http://www.amazon.com/Hasbro-Darth-Vader-Voice-Changer/dp/B000231FSQ it's the "toy" I was thinking of.

here is one for $20 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000ZQ667A/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000231FSQ&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0A9H3C8J81BPAGV49Q9Q

[lizzywednesday]

I always loved PBK and Babystyle and Babygap. Now we end up with Disney Store or My Dress Up Trunk for princess costumes.

I hear you about the cheapo Party Store costumes!

I'm in need of a Princess Leia costume. I'm thinking of making or having my mom sew the "robe" and I'll crochet the hair. Not to hijack the thread but does anyone think white polar fleece would work for the robe? It gets chilly here on Halloween.

I might do flannel instead of polar fleece as I think that it would drape a bit better ... or polar fleece with the fleecy-side turned in?

Add a white turtleneck, some leggings and/or tights and cute boots (or spats over sneakers) and your DD should be set.

[katydid1971]

How about having a nice black cape made? He could wear a black turtleneck/long sleeved shirt and black sweats under the cape. You should be able to find a darth vadar mask somewhere (I'm thinking most of those are similar in quality).

i've seen toy stores with Boba Fett head masks as toys...do they have a vadar one?

Get a light saber and you should be all set.

Ok this is $100 on amazon for the mask...has to be somewhere cheaper: http://www.amazon.com/Hasbro-Darth-Vader-Voice-Changer/dp/B000231FSQ it's the "toy" I was thinking of.

here is one for $20 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000ZQ667A/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000231FSQ&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0A9H3C8J81BPAGV49Q9Q

DS has the Hasbro Iron man one and its really well made. I really like Alien Hosts idea of a turtle neck and black pants with that mask. Here are some cool gloves to add to it. http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3254982 and here is the mask http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11145141

[katydid1971]

I always loved PBK and Babystyle and Babygap. Now we end up with Disney Store or My Dress Up Trunk for princess costumes.

I hear you about the cheapo Party Store costumes!

I'm in need of a Princess Leia costume. I'm thinking of making or having my mom sew the "robe" and I'll crochet the hair. Not to hijack the thread but does anyone think white polar fleece would work for the robe? It gets chilly here on Halloween.

I think the polar fleece would be fine for the Leia dress, the ones you can buy are usually thin polyester. Last year Family Fun had a how to to make a yarn wig. http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/basic-wig-930075/

[alien_host]

DS has the Hasbro Iron man one and its really well made. I really like Alien Hosts idea of a turtle neck and black pants with that mask. Here are some cool gloves to add to it. http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3254982 (http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3254982) and here is the mask http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11145141 (http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11145141)

I knew it had to be cheaper! And the mask would double as a year-round toy.

[alien_host]

I might do flannel instead of polar fleece as I think that it would drape a bit better ... or polar fleece with the fleecy-side turned in?

Add a white turtleneck, some leggings and/or tights and cute boots (or spats over sneakers) and your DD should be set.

Flannel is a good idea too. I'm going to send a pic to my mom and have her work on it ;)


I think the polar fleece would be fine for the Leia dress, the ones you can buy are usually thin polyester. Last year Family Fun had a how to to make a yarn wig. http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/basic-wig-930075/

LOL, I was thinking about that yarn wig from Family Fun!

[arivecchi]

What about Sensational Beginnings? I can't decide if the Chasing Fireflies or Sensational Beginnings will have better quality super hero type costumes than some of the bad costume stores. I would look at those 2 stores. I love the costumes on chasing fireflies. Wonder what their return policy is like.

[Fairy]

I would look at those 2 stores. I love the costumes on chasing fireflies. Wonder what their return policy is like.

Chasing Fireflies is a fantastic return policy. Naver heard of the other one, gonna go check it out.

[SnuggleBuggles]

Love the Old Navy ones for little ones. Hate Costume Express and party stores' quality but sometimes the convenience wins out. We ordered part of ds1's costume from Etsy this year and dh will make the rest.

Beth

[arivecchi]

Fairy, I got a sensational beginnings email today so the costumes are in stock. They have a Darth Vader one. DS1 actually likes that one a lot.

[Fairy]

Fairy, I got a sensational beginnings email today so the costumes are in stock. They have a Darth Vader one. DS1 actually likes that one a lot.

Wait, does DS1 have it now?! Are you happy with it? How is the cape quality? Or ... he saw it online and liked it? I'm get myself all worked up over this stuff ...

[arivecchi]

Oh, we don't have that one. DS1 looked at the costumes this morning online and likes the DV one a lot. We have ordered some from SB in previous years and they have been fine. Unfortunately, I think the costumes for older kids are normally made of thinner fabric. I don't like it either.

[Fairy]

*Sob* Ok, thanks, A.

[janine]

I agree on PBK. I often think I should shop around a bit or look for something more original but they are cute and it's so easy. I think they start offering free shipping on them as it gets closer.
Oh and my DD has told me she wants to be the owl WITH the owl bag. Great, that should add up! Good thing DD#2 is on the way to wear these costumes again!

[Kindra178]

Does Chasing Fireflies or Sensational Beginnings ever have free shipping?

[arivecchi]

Does Chasing Fireflies or Sensational Beginnings ever have free shipping?
SB has free shipping over $85 right now. PM me your email and I can forward you the email I got.

[Kindra178]

Just did some research. Toys R Us is selling the same brand costumes as Sensational Beginnings, at least for the Batman/Spiderman/Transformer stuff. Some of the costumes are the same, but some are different. The brands are Disguise and Rubies Costumes.