How To Get Your Halloween Costume On A Budget In Philadelphia
You've been invited to the Halloween party of the year, and costumes are mandatory...except you're on a tight budget. What do you do? Put your imagination to work and take a trip to one of the fantastic vintage or thrift stores in Philadelphia! You can quickly find all that you need to transform into a 20s flapper, a 60s hippie, a 70s disco queen, an 80s glam rocker or a 90s grunger. You'll have a lot of fun in the process, and you might even find some unique items to add to your everyday wardrobe.
Retrospect Vintage
508 South St.
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(267) 671-0116
www.retrospectvintage.com
At Retrospect Vintage, you'll find everything you need for your mod 50s- and 80s-inspired costumes. You'll need a little extra time to put together your look, as you'll have to make your way through many of racks of clothing. You can also find great jewelry and accessories to finish your costume. Retrospect is perhaps a little pricier than typical thrift stores, but it's still cheap in comparison to the Halloween chain costume stores.
Wilbur: Vintage & Designer Clothing
716 S. 4th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 413-5809
www.facebook.com/thewilburvintage
Perhaps the most eclectic vintage shop in the city, Wilbur Vintage offers everything you need to put together your look for Halloween. Here, you'll find items from as far back as the 1940s. Wilbur specializes in the 70s and 80s though, so if you're looking for a disco getup or a glam rocker outfit, this is the place to go. Plus, Wilbur Vintage offers a mix of old and modern, so you can come up with a really fun look by mixing and matching. The owner is a treat, loves what he does and will be happy to help you put together a fabulous costume.
Philly AIDS Thrift
710 S. 5th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 922-3186
www.phillyaidsthrift.com
You may need extra time to rummage through the racks at Philly Aids Thrift, but you can locate some unique items to complete your costume or build your entire costume from your finds. Philly Aids Thrift often offers a costume section as Halloween nears that will help you locate a great costume. Also, take advantage of the store's $1 bargain bin.
Circle Thrift
2233 Frankford Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19125
(215) 423-1222
www.circlethrift.com
Just like Philly Aids Thrift, you will need to spend some time at Circle Thrift to find the perfect items for your costume, but you will do so at a great price. In addition to tie-dye and mascot t-shirts, you'll find things like chunky heels and over-the-top jewelry to accessorize your look. You can also find some great props here even if you don't find your costume.
Scarepros Halloween
8520 New Falls Road
Levittown, PA 19054
(215) 547-1906
www.scarepros.com
If you don't think you're creative enough to put together your own look, Scarepros is a great alternative with lots of options that won't break your budget. Visit the clearance section for great prices on last year's costumes, and check out the website before visiting the store for coupons and specials. You can also find fun information about Halloween, tips on dressing up and a calendar of Halloween events on the site.
Related: Top Spots for Halloween Costumes
Head to Philadelphia's Best Of pages for more local tips on family fun, shopping, nightlife, food, culture and more!
Maddie Wagner is a freelance writer covering all things Philadelphia. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.
