New Orleans is rated one of the country's most haunted cities, which means it's the perfect place to visit for Halloween. With cooler weather approaching, we've got a spooky feeling that this year will bring the best of times and the best of costumes. With weeks of Mardi Gras parades during Carnival season, New Orleans is no stranger to a good costume. It's never too early to start brainstorming ideas, so let the creative juices flow and visit these NOLA inspired costume shops to find your perfect look.
Best Costume Shops in New Orleans
1. Nikki's French Quarter Halloween Store
Whether you want to dress up like your favorite movie character or give everyone the heebie-jeebies, Nikki's Halloween Store is the place to get your wig and mask to do the trick. Her walls are covered in costume bags and accessories for your outfit to become the best it can be. They sell party supplies and Halloween decor to make your house party the spookiest one on the street.
2. Uptown Costume & Dancewear
Let your imagination run wild in this Uptown shop. They have a wide selection of costumes that would make anyone dazzle and stand out at a costume party. There are wigs, hats, masks, tutus, feathers, and more, so you can mix and match or follow a pattern for your Halloween costume. Whether you want to be spooky or sexy, Uptown Costume & Dancewear has it all to make your costume a winner.
3. Boutique Du Vampyre
Boutique Du Vampyre is certainly a unique shop in New Orleans, and it is just the place to go if you want your vampire costume to be top tier. This boutique sells a variety of Gothic products and curiosities, and they have all the necessary jewelry and accessories to complete your vampire look. Explore the unusual at this boutique and check out their mystery boxes filled with goodies and treats for all vampire enthusiasts. They offer adventure and escape room experiences for you and your group, so if you're dying for a night of mystery and fun, consider buying the package. Once you're done, grab some fangs and a cape, and you're set for October 31.
4. Southern Costume Company
Southern Costume Company is a costume rental store with Hollywood costumes, period costumes, Halloween costumes, Carnival costumes, and more. They are counting down the days to Halloween, and time is going fast. From aliens, zombies and hot dogs to Cleopatra and more, they have just about everything. Take advantage of their full services and create a custom costume. They've serviced several film productions in New Orleans and can recreate almost any wardrobe. Halloween is a time to be creative and become someone or something else for a day, so exercise your creativity and become the impossible. If you want to be a bunny from space or a fish princess, they've got you covered.
5. Maskarade
Maskarade (emphasis on the mask) is located in the heart of the French Quarter and has an extensive Venetian mask collection perfect for Mardi Gras or Halloween. They have scary, odd, funny, animal, leather, and character masks that'll make any costume come to life. There are so many to choose from, so make sure you allot yourself enough time to exhaust all your options. They're truly one of the best mask shops in the city, and they have artisan mask makers to design custom masks for any occasion. Choose your mask and build the rest of your Halloween costume around it.
6. Miss Claudia's Vintage Clothing & Costumes
Miss Claudia's Vintage is a funky second-hand clothes store with various pieces from different eras. You can choose to be anyone from history for Halloween if you stop by this shop and let the colors guide you. If you want to steer away from all the blood and gore of Halloween, add some color to your costume and be a 20s flapper, a 50s Barbie, a 60s hippie, or a 70s disco dancer. Make an impression with these real, vintage costumes. These items are true collectables, so keep them in your closet and and become someone entirely new next year.
7. Broadway Bound Costume Inc.
2737 Canal St., (504) 821-1000, broadwayboundcostumes.com
Broadway Bound Costume Inc. on Canal Street is a family-owned business riddled with colorful fabrics, jewels, and feathers to create the most extravagant costume for Carnival, Halloween, weddings, and more. Head there this October and pick out the materials to make that one-of-a-kind Halloween costume.
8. Funky Monkey
3127 Magazine St., (504) 899-5587, funkymonkeynola.com
Funky Monkey has all the funky fits for any party you're attending. Their inventory includes vintage clothing, graphic tees, purses, jewelry, costume sets, hats, wigs, and more. Bringing color to Magazine Street, Funky Monkey is a great place to roam the racks and play dress-up in the spirit of Halloween. Spend a day window shopping and stop by to find your costume or any last minute accessories.
9. Miette
2038 Magazine St., (504) 522-2883, iheartmiette.com
Miette is an artsy boutique with unique novelties and locally made jewelry and costume pieces. Stocked up on all the carnival go-tos, Miette is one costume shop you don't want to pass up when shopping for Halloween. This vibrant store has wigs, lashes, and headdresses to make your costume stand out from all the others you'll see roaming around the city.
10. Carl Mack Presents
1010 Conti St., (504) 949-4009, carlmack.com
Carl Mack Presents offers costumes for rent during the holiday season or any party that needs a grand wardrobe. They host parades, parties, and second lines, dressing up entertainers to showcase talent for any event. Sift through their costume closet and pick from the hundreds to make this Halloween your most inventive.
Where to get a Costume for Halloween this Year
While you're out on a ghost tour or on the hunt for the perfect pumpkin, stop by one of these NOLA-inspired costume shops and start getting creative! You're sure to find the perfect addition to your costume that will make it a winner at every costume contest this Halloween. Stroll through the Quarter on October 31 and watch New Orleans come alive during the spookiest time of the year.
