Photograph by Chris Pasion
Whether you’re looking for a last-minute Halloween mask or planning an epic cosplay, these suppliers have everything you need to dress to impress.
This sprawling vintage clothing and costume shop occupies two floors of a Reading storefront—and it takes Halloween seriously. Inside, you’ll find hats, shoes, and costumes galore, plus attentive staff members who will help you put together the perfect head-to-toe vintage outfit using both authentic and reproduced pieces. 9111 Reading Rd., Reading, (513) 563-8844
In need of a pair of vampire teeth? Spock ears? Body paint? A swashbuckling sword to take to your next pirate-themed gathering? You’ll find all of that and more at Costume Gallery, but the real draw of this Newport emporium is the opportunity for customization. Owner Joy Galbraith and company will work with you to make your Halloween (or theatrical) dreams a reality. 638 Monmouth St., Newport, (859) 655-9419, costumegallery-newport.com
If you’re a hardcore Halloween participant, this one’s for you. Covington’s Theatre House is a hotbed for local theater-lovers and cosplay fiends alike with its wall of wigs, massive selection of fabrics, and smorgasbord of professional-grade Ben Nye makeup. The shop is the go-to place for spooky season, but make sure to check out the off-season deals to stock up for next year. And the next year. And maybe the year after that. 400 W. Third St., Covington, (859) 431-2414, theatrehouse.com
With more than 100,000 costumes in its repertoire, Costume Castle is the tri-state’s purveyor of Easter Bunnies, Santa Clauses, and Halloween one-shots alike. But this lesser-known Loveland Castle isn’t just about the rentals. The store also has a floor-to-ceiling collection of masks, wigs, makeup, and everything else you could possibly need to pull off the perfect look. 467 Wards Corner Rd., Loveland, (513) 831-8121
You won’t find superhero costumes in plastic bags or cardboard pirate hats at this Northside favorite. Casablanca Vintage has a near-cult following among Cincinnati’s thrifting community—Bruno Mars even stopped in during a local trip—for good reason. The store’s pieces range from Victorian Era to Y2K, with so many racks of shoes, purses, dresses, and accessories, you may need to set aside an entire day for your shopping excursion. 3944 Spring Grove Ave., Northside, (513) 541-6999, casablancavintage.com
With four locations scattered throughout Greater Cincinnati, Cappel’s has become something of a local Halloween tradition since it began selling costumes in the early ’80s. The family-owned store’s stock caters to all the classics— think witches, vampires, flappers, and greasers—but the sheer size of its inventory makes it a year-round go-to for costumes, accessories, and party supplies. Multiple locations, cappelsinc.com
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