Hollywood Costumes is a boutique costume shop, offering high quality get ups for both rental and for purchase. They are located on Yonge Street just north of Steeles. Upon entering the store, it's easy to feel transported back into the Elizabethan era. Their storeroom is filled with manikins donning realistic era specific costumes. As well as catering to Halloween enthusiasts, Hollywood Costumes provides outfits for film and theatre projects.

Hollywood Costumes specializes in Medieval, Elizabethan, 18th Century, Western, and 1920s themes. They also have a selection of different movie characters including Captain Jack Sparrow, Harry Potter, Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, Cinderella, Cruella de Vil, and a number of Star Wars characters. I was genuinely impressed with how accurate these costumes were. For that reason, the prices can be a little steep.

For those interested in renting these costumes, it costs any where from $65-$250 (most fall in around the $150 range). Rentals last for a whole week so you can wear your outfit to all your Halloween events. Costumes for purchase range in price anywhere from $45 to $150, largely depending on what accessories you buy.

Hollywood Costumes also offers a wide range of make-up, special effects (fake wounds made from latex), wigs, and other accessories such as vampire teeth and lace gloves. Most accessories cost anywhere from $10 to $30. During a recent visit, my two favourite costumes were the Banana Suit (how appealing) for $55, and the extremely realistic and detailed Captain Jack Sparrow (for rental) $120. I would most definitely recommend visiting this shop to those looking for a high quality costume and interested in the rentals.

Photos by Sandra Chow