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Do you need a costume right away? There’s no need to hand over large sums of money to Amazon for flimsy factory-made garb—plethora Boston’s of thrift shops, vintage sellers, and (yes) costume businesses provide distinctive, trendy items for a fraction of the price. A handful of our favorite area outfitters are listed below.
Bostonian Bobby
Bobby Garnett, the late New England fashion giant who designed costumes for nearly 50 Hollywood films, including A Bronx Tale, A Beautiful Mind, and Moonrise Kingdom, may be gone, but the South End clothes store he created continues to thrive.
This is the go-to place for men looking for excellent discounts on classic old-time garments and accessories, and it’s just a stone’s throw from SoWa Vintage Market. Although this shop is recognized for its high-end vintage menswear, it also has a small collection of women’s apparel, including 1960s and 1970s party dresses.
Boomerangs
Boomerangs, which is owned and maintained by the AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts, offers a dizzying array of high-quality new, antique, and gently used items. This thrift store sells books, home items, electronics, and furniture in addition to a large selection of men’s and women’s clothing.
And Boomerangs provides one of the most pleasurable shopping experiences available: in addition to the thrill of snagging a great deal, you can relax knowing that the money from your purchase will benefit AIDS Action’s efforts.
Dorothy’s Boutique is a clothing store in New York City.
Dorothy’s has everything you need for your Halloween costume, whether you’re looking for the final touches or starting from fresh. While this venerable Mass. Ave. shop is open all year, the Halloween season transforms it into a must-see destination, with superhero masks, crazy wigs, and sparkly go-go boots adorning every square inch of the window. Just don’t leave it until the last minute, or you’ll be stuck in a line that wraps around the block.
The Garment District is a neighborhood in New York City (and Boston Costume)
If you’re looking for a Halloween costume or just a fun new outfit, the Garment District has it all, with two floors of clothes racks from every decade in the last 70 years of fashion history.
This “alternative department store,” which has been open since 1986, sells new and worn clothing for women and men at lower-than-market costs. It’s also where you’ll find Boston Costume, which sells wigs, capes, fake noses, and whatever else you can think of for a theme party. Every day, approximately 40,000 pieces of vintage and contemporary clothing are on sale, ensuring that “something for everyone” is available.
Oona’s
Oona’s offers premium fashion pieces at boutique pricing, with a carefully curated mix of vintage and modern apparel for men and women—think Twiggy-era shift dresses, sequined Valentino jackets, and Hawaiian-print shirts. This vintage and designer resale store, which opened in 1972, prides itself on being one of the city’s oldest. Stop in to get eccentric accessories, jewelry, and shoes from labels like Dusen Dusen and Wray, as well as garments from Dusen Dusen and Wray.
Beret in Raspberry
This women’s store in Massachusetts specializes in contemporary consignment and has many locations. Raspberry Beret is an invaluable resource for wacky, fashionable, and classic styles of meticulously selected mint-condition apparel and accessories, with fresh inventory arriving every day.
This store sells both flamboyant and stylish clothing, as well as vintage and high-end items. Ann Taylor, BCBG, Calvin Klein, Free People, Lily Pulitzer, and Michael Kors are among the brands available in-store.
Recollective
This Southie shop won us over with its très elegant secondhand apparel collected from sellers all across New England, having appeared at everything from Brimfield to the Brooklyn Flea. Do you need some throwback style, and you need it now? Opt for a funky ascot or a set of chunky aqua bracelets.
Alternatively, peruse the shop’s exposed-brick walls for vintage flowing floral maxi dresses, studded denim jackets, and paisley patterned shirts. But don’t stop with your soon-to-be wardrobe mainstays; rummage among the stacks of shabby-chic suitcases or wonderfully weathered street signs to add some personality to your home.
SoWa Vintage Market is a market that sells vintage items.
This indoor bazaar, which is open every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., is the go-to spot for treasure hunters looking for antiques, vintage, collectibles, art, and more.
Thrifters can browse the wares of a variety of sellers selling curated collections of anything from midcentury evening clothing and costume jewelry to retro furniture and home décor throughout the year. Do you have a thing for antiques and good deals? You’ve come to the right place.
Vintage Vivant
Vivant Vintage used to operate from a tricycle-powered cart, selling a modest variety of edgy old apparel. While the shop still does pop-ups around Boston, it established a permanent location in 2014, selling its eccentric collection—which includes everything from vintage band T-shirts to rough-and-tumble leather coats to one-of-a-kind bolo ties—from the comfort of an Allston den. Are you stumped as to where to begin? Allow the professionals at Vivant Vintage to assist you in putting together a unique ensemble for any occasion.
