Stumped For A Halloween Costume? Check Out These Costume Shops
By Chuck Sudo in Arts & Entertainment on Oct 25, 2012 8:40PM
Last weekend, in writing about the Goodman Theatre’s first costume sale in five years, we wrote about how we hate when people wait until the last minute to come up with a Halloween costume, only to string together a series of single serving cereal boxes, buy a rubber knife, splatter some fake blood on a shirt you haven't worn in years and go to parties as a "cereal killer." Halloween isn’t the time to settle on a tired costume theme like that or any of the various “sexy” costume themes that wind up being more slutty than sexy. (The walks of shame should happen after this weekend’s parties, not on the way to them.)
To that end, we highly recommend three costume stores that can handle any last-minute reveler dressing to impress for the Fright night.
Fantasy Headquarters: We would drive a golf cart through a thousand miles of zombies to shop here. This Six Corners costume shop is arguably the most popular in Chicago and is open 24 hours a day through Halloween. They have an inventory of wigs, masks, costumes, accessories and makeup and makeup kits for folks looking for the most basic costume ideas to people who think they’re legendary makeup artist Rick Baker and design the most detailed costumes around. If you can’t find what you need for your costume at Fantasy Headquarters, you aren’t looking. (4065 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-777-0222)
Lost Era Costumes and Props: This Rogers Park costume shop has been the go-to store for theater companies and designers for over 40 years and boasts an inventory that nearly rivals Fantasy Headquarters, with prices that in many cases beat Fantasy. We’ve rarely been disappointed with the accessories and makeup here. (1511 W. Howard St., 773-764-7400)
Beverly Costume: Can’t travel to the North or Northwest side? Consider visiting this costume shop in the far reaches of Beverly. Open since 1967, Beverly Costume has rentals and sales for all times of year—they particularly do brisk business during St. Patrick’s Day. Maybe you can buy a leprechaun or drunken Irishman costume and get your money’s worth reprising it next March. (11628 S. Western Ave., 773-779-0068)