On Halloween, we all have the opportunity to be someone else. From nostalgic retro-nurses to bruised and battered zombies, almost everyone will be dressed up for a spooky night of fun, fright and candy. The Sacramento Press rounded up various local costume shops to help you find your perfect Halloween fit.

B-Bop Costumes
1931 L St.
443-2234

Hours:
Monday through Friday 10 a.m - 5 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Closed Sundays
Hours will be extended as Halloween nears
Rentals: Yes
Sales: Yes

Image by: William Ratliff

Image by: William Ratliff

Located in what owner Larry Slaybaugh called “one of the older and more iconic houses in Sacramento,” B-Bop costumes provides customers with an intimate costume-shopping experience. Racks of authentic costumes and clothing sit between walls that are lined with face makeup and costume accessories.

“We have everything you can think of,” Slaybaugh said.

Slaybaugh said that one of B-Bop’s distinguishing factors is that its costumes are real clothes.

“We specialize in 1920s and 1970s vintage,” he said. “All of our costumes are actual clothes from the era. We don’t have much in terms of fake replications.” He said that he believes that the real clothes will allow people to look as authentic as possible.

B-Bop offers both sales and rentals, and prices vary depending on what a customer is looking for. Whether searching for an economical or top-of-the-line outfit, Slaybaugh said that his store is a great place for anyone to find a costume.

Broadway Costumes and Theatrical Supply
3945 Franklin Blvd.
455-6021

Hours:
Monday through Friday 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Sunday noon - 4 p.m.
Hours will be extended as Halloween nears
Rentals: Yes
Sales: No

Image by: William Ratliff Image by: William Ratliff

Broadway Costume and Theatrical Supply has more than 3,000 costumes for people to rent, said owner Kathryn Felgenhauer. While the shop does not offer sales, she said that she believes it would be hard for any other costume shop to top its selection.

“We offer just about everything, and it’s all of theatrical quality,” Felgenhauer said.

In addition to the costume selection, which includes everything from animals to period pieces to characters, the rental business also carry a wide selection of makeup and accessories.

“We just (received) a whole bunch of unique moustaches,” Felgenhauer said.

Felgenhauer said that her employees will personally walk customers through the makeup process, which is often a daunting task. She added that the top-of-the-line makeup selection is not only great for Halloween, but for theater productions as well.

With an organized selection of costumes and a helpful staff, Felgenhauer said that she believes that her store can fill everyone’s Halloween costume needs.

Cheap Thrills
1712 L St.
446-4103

Hours:
Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Sunday 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Hours will be extended as Halloween nears
Rentals: Yes
Sales: Yes

Image by: William Ratliff Image by: Kelsey Vicars

After reopening with its original owners in July, co-owner Todd Aylward said that Cheap Thrills is back to offering high-quality costumes that are “whatever you want them to be.” He owns the store with his wife, Sondra Aylward, and also owns the costume store Prevues.

“We have lots of authentic costumes, from Victorian to the 1980s,” he said.

Aylward said that the employees are able to put together crazy costumes for their customers. A wide selection and lots of character give his store a unique feel.

“We strive (for) good customer service,” he said. “We want you to have fun and feel good about yourself at the same time.”

The outside of the building, painted purple and orange, foreshadows the colorful atmosphere that customers will experience inside.

“We’ve got everything you could need here,” Aylward said. With everything from makeup to professional costumes, Cheap Thrills has plenty for customers to choose from.

Prevues
2417 K St.
448-4556

Hours:
Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Sunday 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Hours will be extended as Halloween nears
Rentals: Yes
Sales: Yes

Image by: Kelsey Vicars Image by: Kelsey Vicars

Owner Todd Aylward said that Prevues is the sexy sister store of Cheap Thrills.

“Prevues is pretty outrageous,” he said. “If you want glam or anything out of the ordinary, this is the place to go.”

Prevues caters to a more adult audience than most other costume stores in Sacramento. Selling showgirl and pinup model costumes, Aylward said that it brings a “sexy side” to the local costume market.

Aylward added that Prevues strives for the same high-quality customer service found at Cheap Thrills.

The selection at Prevues is just as wide, only it caters to a more mature audience.

“It’s just another type of costume store,” Aylward said. “If you’re looking for a fun costume store, Prevues is the place you ought to go.”

I Wannabe Costumes
700 4th St.
West Sacramento
371-0901

Hours:
By appointment only, Monday through Sunday
Rentals: Yes
Sales: No

Image by: William Ratliff Image by: William Ratliff

Julia Harrington owns and operates I Wannabe Costumes from the comfort of her own home. While this may seem unconventional, customers would have trouble differentiating her house from any of the other costume shops in Sacramento.

“All of my costumes are very high-quality,” Harrington said, adding that her daughter makes many of the costumes, and the others are either professional-quality or actual clothing from a certain era.

A large variety of costumes are offered, Harrington said. Everything from the entire “Star Wars” cast to “Shrek” and other kids’ cartoon characters are available for rent. Period costumes are also available, from Elizabethan to the Wild West.

Harrington said that while many costume stores charge extra for the necessary accessories, all of her costumes include everything for one flat rate.

“You can build your own costume, and I include everything in one price,” she said.

Harrington also uses her business to do local charity functions, from elementary school history events to community theater productions.

“Costumes provide hands-on learning, and it sticks with the kids,” she said.

I Wannabe Costumes is available by appointment only, but Harrington said that customers will be happy with the costumes that she rents out.

Evangeline’s Costume Mansion
113 K St.
443-2181

Hours
Monday through Sunday 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Hours will be extended as Halloween nears
Rentals: No
Sales: Yes

Image by: William Ratliff Image by: William Ratliff

Evangeline’s, an Old Sacramento favorite, has three stories, two of which sell high-quality costumes and wigs, said Manager Jen Kossmann. The store attracts a multitude of customers year-round with its fun and vibrant atmosphere and huge selection.

Kossmann said she credits the ambiance and the enormous selection of goods to the store’s strong sales.

“We are able to carry more than any other costume store,” she said. “It’s more fun than at other stores.”

Customers can take the old-fashioned elevator to the second and third floors, where the costumes are primarily sold. People can try on numerous professional-quality wigs.

“We specialize in having the most,” she added.

Where do you go to shop for costumes in Sacramento? Share your favorite shops in the conversation below.