Halloween Costume Stores in San Diego

It’s hard to believe that Halloween is a few weeks away. I feel like it was just yesterday that I was inhaling cornbread stuffing and chowing down on turkey legs and pumpkin pie. Next thing you know, POOF! A year has gone by and our favorite scandalous holiday is knocking at our door. If you’re like me and in denial that October is already nearing the halfway mark, I’m going to go out on a limb and assume you have yet to begin your Halloween costume shopping excursion. Don’t worry, we’re all in this together.

First of all, originality is the essence of October 31st so a mental encyclopedia of pop culture and current events knowledge is essential when crafting up an oh-so-clever costume. This year, channel your inner panty-dropping Kenny Powers, man-whoring Hank Moody or recently widowed serial killer Dexter; dunk yourself in a bucket of blue paint and let all your I-wish-I-had-an-Avatar dreams come true; get “bromantic”, grab your best bud and show off your d*ck in a box; don a red bandana and a ratty black tank top and get Antoine Dodson with it; or pay homage to the late Britney Murphy and revert back to the days when Cher, Dionne and Ty ruled Beverly Hills.

Whether you’re looking for something inexpensive yet sexy or over-the-top and one-of-a-kind, San Diego is home to a collection of Halloween stores that are sure to cater to whatever alter ego you want to be. From the Costume Shop in North Park and The Buff in Pacific Beach, to Buffalo Breath in Old Town and Gypsy Treasure in La Mesa, discover the top San Diego stores for Halloween costume shopping.

The Costume Shop in North Park
The most popular costume store in San Diego, this North Park family owned business has an incredible year round collection of costumes to rent or purchase. Expect to find an array of comic book costumes such as Spiderman and Superman, traditional costumes including pirates and wizards, and sexy Leg Avenue costumes for women including fairytale characters, French maids and naughty nurses. You can also find an array of hats, gloves, glasses, boas, masks and wings. Custom made masks, headresses, and feathered wings are also available on request. The Costume Shop is located at 2960 North Park Way and is open Tuesday through Friday from 10am-6pm and Saturday from 10am-5pm. For more information, please visit thecostumeshop.net.

Buffalo Breath in Old Town
Buffalo Breath is a serious costume shop that specializes in the largest selection of theatrical quality costumes to rent or buy in San Diego County. Head into the back room and sift through dozens upon dozens of racks of original costumes from the Sixties, the Victorian era, Sci-Fi and Fantasy, the Civil War era and many, many more. Finish your costume off with top quality accessories, authentic wigs, beards, jewelry, hats, and weapons. Buffalo Breath is located at 2050 Hancock St. and is open Monday through Friday from 10am-6pm and Saturday from 10am-5pm. For more information, please visit buffalobreathcostumes.com.

The Buff in Pacific Beach
The Buff features everything from vintage mix and match pieces to never-been-worn threads to fully complete your Halloween costume. From tribal princesses, gladiators, mermaids, storybook characters, cavemen and many more, we guarantee you’ll find just what you’re looking for at this PB costume shop. The Buff also carries a wide display of accessories including glasses, eye patches, hosiery, wigs, animal ears & tails, and a selection of fun hats and headgear. The Buff is located at 1341 Garnet Ave. and is open Monday through Friday from 11am-8pm, Saturday from 10am-8pm and Sunday from 12pm-6pm. For more information, please visit thebuffcostumes.com.

Gypsy Treasure in La Mesa
Gypsy Treasures is a year-round shop in the heart of La Mesa Village that carries a mind-boggling array of costumes for rent or purchase. Costume themes include everything from the Civil War Era, Arabians & Genies, Famous Characters from Movies & TV, Fantasy, and fun-filled couples costumes. Make sure to peruse the glass cases of face and body paints, false eyelashes, fake blood and masks to round out your perfect Halloween costume. Gypsy Treasure is located at 8119 La Mesa Blvd. and is open 7 days a week from 10:30am-7pm. For more information, please visit gypsytreasure.com.

The Crypt in Hillcrest
Rubber, vinyl, rubber, chaps, dresses and corsets – this is the place where you’ll find your inner dominatrix. Aside from the myriad of bondage that the Crypt is known for, you can also find a handful of Halloween costumes and sexy lingerie. To top it off, throughout the month of October customers can buy one Halloween fashion accessory and get the second for 50% off. The Crypt is located at 3847 Park Blvd. and is open 7 days a week from 10am-midnight. For more information, please visit cryptleather.com.

Doctor Love’s in Pacific Beach
While the first impression collection of well-endowed, scantily-clad mannequins in the window might resonate as raunchy, this Garnet Avenue staple is definitely not a sleazy, sneak-through-the-back-door-to-avoid-being-seen kind of adult store. Step inside Doctor Love’s and you’ll find dozens of seductively scandalous costumes for all you sexy ladies out there. Bonus!: Mention DJhere and receive 20% when you purchase a costume this year. Doctor Loves is located at1155 Garnet Avenue and is open Monday through Thursday from 11am-10pm and Friday and Saturday from 11am-12am. For more information, please visit doctorloves.com.

Saving cash? San Diego is home to dozens of inexpensive warehouse costume stores such as Spirit Halloween and superstores like Party City where you can find all your Halloween wants and needs. To find a store nearest you, please visit spirithalloween.com and partycity.com.

Insider Tip: Now that you’ve acquired your all-new alter ego for October 31st, it’s time to shake your ass and get it in at the hottest 2010 Halloween parties in San Diego.

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