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5 Best Places to Buy Costumes in San Francisco: Top Options for Halloween, Theme Parties, & Other Special Occasions
by Jill Loeffler •
Updated: February 4, 2024
Are you looking for that perfect costume for Halloween, Oktoberfest, or another upcoming special event? If so, then you are in luck. San Francisco has dozens of costume shops with an amazing variety.
With so many choices, you might waste too much time getting from one shop to the next to check out their selection. To make the process easier, I created this list of the five best places to buy your costumes in SF.
All offer a large selection. Many offer accessories and party favors as well as costumes.
Also, they are all open throughout the year, so you can stop by at any time. For big holidays such as Halloween, I also recommend going weeks in advance (if possible) since their selection decreases when big costume holidays and events approach.
Disclaimer: I receive a small commission from some of the links on this page.
1. Haight Street Costumes
Address: 735 Haight Street
District: Lower Haight
Transit: 6 & 22; N-Judah Light Rail
You will find a variety of costume stores in the Haight, but my top pick comes from the Lower Haight. In Costumes on Haight, you will find that perfect costume for any occasion. Their costumes range from animals to top actors/actresses in movies or TV.
You can either rent or buy the costume you need. Most of what they offer is full costume sets, so you will not need to hunt for additional pieces throughout the city.
When you rent, you need to put down a deposit that is usually more than the rental cost. However, you will get this back the minute you return the piece in good shape. Make sure to check it out entirely before you leave the store.
The people that work here are great. They are honest, helpful, and will get you what you need as quickly as possible. The downside is that they do get busy, so try to stop by during the weekdays or when they first open on the weekends.
2. One Stop Party Shop
Address: 1600 Church Street
Transit: J-Church Light Rail
District: Noe Valley
The name says it all: this small business in Noe Valley is surprisingly a one-stop shop for all things party-related.
What I love about them is that they carry items that you can't find anywhere else, so it's easy to get something unique that will set you apart. If you're going to a party with a rather obscure theme, you'll be surprised what you might find here that might fit.
It's also just fun to browse through their wide variety of crazy hats and masks, as well as more elaborate Halloween costumes.
3. Piedmont Boutique
Address: 1452 Haight Street
District: Haight Asbury
Transit: 6, 37, 43, & 66
One of my other favorite places to search for costumes in the Haight is Piedmont Boutique. They do not offer full costume sets, but rather a colorful variety of pants, tops, and accessories for you to create your own.
It's great for those wanting to mix, match, and experiment with their costumes. It's also a favorite spot for those searching for something to wear for Burning Man.
Their costumes include faux fur, sequins, feathers, wigs, jewelry, and masquerade masks. Pull them together for a fun night on the town.
They are easy to spot. You will find them under the famous legs with red shoes hanging out of the window on Haight Street.
4. Gypsy Rosalie's Wigs and Vintage
Address: 1419 Stockton Street
District: North Beach
Transit: Powell/Hyde or Powell/Mason cable car
The variety of wigs you'll find here is simply fantastic. All colors, shapes, sizes... Not only that, but Rosalie herself will help you pick out the perfect option for what you need, and teach you how to wear and style it.
She also offers classes where you can learn how to create your perfect look. For over 60 years, the service here has been amazingly personal, and makes for a true San Francisco experience.
Go ahead and let your (wig) down and get ready for some fun on the town!
5. Cliff's Variety
Address: 479 Castro Street
District: The Castro
Transit: J-Church Light Rail, K Muni bus
This San Francisco institution is a true variety store. You'll be amazed at what you find here, as they have a little bit of everything. Even if you don't find exactly what you went in seeking, you're almost certain to walk out buying something quirky if not useful.
Beyond the hardware and home goods, you'll discover a world full of fun odds and ends, including costumes and accessories that can jazz up any party.
This is a place that truly reflects San Francisco's eclectic and colorful nature.
Great Places to Shop Online
If you have the time, you will find an even wider selection of costumes online. These are the three places I look for costumes. Many have a huge selection for Halloween as well as other options throughout the year.
Amazon: One of the best places for Halloween costumes is Amazon. They have an amazing selection of men's, women's, and kid's costumes at a great price. I recommend buying early though, as their selection gets tight as the holiday approaches. Click here to check out their selection today.
Spirit Halloween: I also like to use Spirit Halloween for costumes. With a huge selection, you will definitely find what you need. Click here to head to their website to shop their selection.
BuyCostumes.com: One of the best year round costume places is BuyCostumes.com. On their site, you will find men's, women's, sexy, plus size, and mascot costumes at a decent price. Click here to shop their site today.
Other Great Pages
As I'm sure most of you are looking for costumes for Halloween, here are a few additional pages you might enjoy.
21+ Halloween Parties: SF is THE place to be for Halloween. If you love to dance, party, and meet new people, then check out this list of 21+ events. You will find large events at hotels, cruises, and some other unique party options. Click here to check them out.
Kids Halloween Activities & Events: San Francisco also has a wide variety of kids' activities. You will find activities at SF museums, trick-or-treating, and more. Most of these fall the weekend before Halloween, so you can still enjoy the night out on the town or head out for a little trick-or-treating in your neighborhood. Click here for the entire list.
Ghost Tours: Another fun thing to do on Halloween, or any time of year, is check out the Ghost Tours of San Francisco. The city has a dark past with many chilling stories. Discover the details for each ghost tour offered in SF.
All SF Halloween Activities: You will also find a number of other fun things to do this and every Halloween in SF. You can do something completely different such as check out the theater or head to a comedy show in North Beach. Click here for a full list of Halloween fun in the city.
Comments? Questions? Suggestions?
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