male costumes - female costumes - unisex costumes - group costumes bay area costume shopping Second-Hand Clothing Stores: The single best way to create a Halloween costume (in our humble opinions) is to hunt through thrift stores and vintage clothing shops. You don't necessarily need to go in with a costume in mind -- let the clothes on the racks be your guide. Do you see a hot little 1960s cocktail dress that you love? Then pick a famous dead '60s lady to be. Love that cowboy hat? Lots of cowpokes (male and female) are dead. Want an excuse to buy a vintage tuxedo jacket? Just add black pants and a white shirt and find a famous dead playboy or swinger to be. Try on things you'd never wear but secretly lust after! Or indulge your passion for a particular style or era. Have fun with clothes! Goodwill 1579 Meridian Ave. (near Hamilton), San Jose, (408) 266-7151 (use the link above to find a store near you) All Goodwill stores are awesome places to get costumes, but this location is Trystan's personal favourite. They usually devote a full half of the huge store to Halloween merchandise during October! The racks are jammed, so set aside enough time to find the gems. You may find everything from tuxedos to tons of evening and prom dresses to military uniforms to wedding gowns. Prices are low, with most items less than $30. Savers 2222 Business Circle (corner of West San Carlos & Bascom Ave.), San Jose, (408) 287-0591 60 S. Dempsey Rd., Milpitas, (408) 263-8338 875 Main St., Redwood City, (650) 364-5545 2840 Geneva Ave., Daly City, (415) 468-0646 Much like Goodwill, but usually bigger. Tons of clothes from the 1970s to the present. Look for evening gowns, men's suits and ties, hippie clothes, blazers, button-down shirts, graduation robes, petticoats, etc. Don't miss the cheap sheets and tablecloths that can be used as togas or fabric. Prices are usually under $30. Moon Zoom 1630 West San Carlos Ave. (near Leigh), San Jose, (408) 287-5876 Lots of cocktail dresses, vinyl purses, boots, and bright-colored things from the '50s, '60, '70s, and '80s. Some of the items are overpriced, but if you hunt through the very crowded racks, you can find some unusual items at reasonable prices. They tend to bring out the crazier stuff for Halloween. Crossroads Trading Company 1959 West San Carlos (near Bascom), San Jose, (408) 292-6100 1519 Haight St., San Francisco, (415) 355-0555 2338 Shattuck Ave. (near Berkeley BART), Berkeley, (510) 843-7600 Buys and sells modern, stylish clothing, shoes, and accessories from the public. Stock changes daily. Tends towards current trendy styles, many under $40. Buffalo Exchange 1555 Haight St., San Francisco, (415) 431-7733 1800 Polk, San Francisco, (415) 346-5726 2585 Telegraph Ave., Berkeley, (510) 644-9202 Buys and sells modern and vintage clothing, shoes, and accessories from the public. Stock changes daily. This is an excellent source of all types of clothing. Vintage items can be pleasantly inexpensive. Many things under $50. Mars Mercantile 2398 Telegraph Ave., Berkeley, (510) 843-6711 Buys and sells vintage and modern clothes and jewelry. Stock changes daily. Lovely vintage dresses, nice men's jackets, unusual jewelry, and lots of gothic stuff, at prices under $80. Aaardvark's Odd Ark 1501 Haight St., San Francisco, (415) 621-3141 A funky vintage clothing store chain. Tends to have racks full of the same thing, whether it's white tux shirts, 501 jeans, 1950s dinner jackets, loud Hawaiian shirts, or frilly petticoats. Smaller selection of more unusual items. Many items under $50. Wasteland 1660 Haight St., San Francisco, (415) 863-3150 Buys and sells vintage clothes and jewelry along with trendy modern wear. Stock changes daily. Tends to overprice vintage items (over $100), but you can still find unique clothing and shoes for under $80. Usually has a big selection of mens' suits from the 1940s, 50s, and 60s. Other: Target Stores around the Bay Area Surprise, surprise, you can get pretty nifty and afforadable costumes at this discount department store. Read "I see dead people... at Target!" for more. Natasha's Attic 427 So. Bascom Ave. (near West San Carlos), San Jose, (408) 286-7368 Great makeup selection, good wigs, and tons of hats. Plenty of wacky accessories and full outfits ranging from gothic to historical to fantasy. Also rents full costumes. Hot Topic in Valley Faire and Oakridge shopping malls in San Jose and other malls around the bay Insta-punk store catering to trendy teenagers. But it's a great place to get cheap, funky sunglasses or temporary bright hair dye for your famous dead rockstar costume. Many items under $50.