Costumes: Rent or buy

Buy

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by Walter Allen

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As the costume loft manager for a youth theatre company, I would immediately tell you to buy or make the costumes you need for a theatrical show or a production. And when it comes to needing individual costumes, my answer remains the same. Whether you are a parent, a party-goer or an office worker on his way to the company's Halloween social, there are so many more advantages to buying, or better yet making, your own costume that there are to renting one.

You only have one chance to make an impression, so you totally want your costume to be unique. You want it to be something that other people are going to talk about for days to come.

Maybe you are looking for that special event costume. You know which one I'm talking about...the costume that is going to make everyone stop sipping their cocktails and stop their idle mindless chatter in order to turn and see you walk in the room. Perhaps, your teenager is going trick or treating for the last time, and you want to make sure that it's a time to remember. Perhaps you have to supply a costume for your part in the college talent show.

Whatever the case, if you were to rent from a local theatre or a costume rental shop, you would be renting something that somebody else has already worn. Something that has been done before and lacks originality. Something that we've all seen and who cares if we ever see it again.

Be creative. Be unique. Be outlandish. Buy some sequined pin dot material, cut it in strips, and wrap yourself head to toe. Introduce yourself as the Lost Mummy of King Stayin'AliveandaHumm in.

Take a white shirt and iron on two C's, and introduce yourself as C-ing double. (Cheesy, but effective.)

Or take pots and pans and cookie sheets; use a drill to drill holes, and tie them together with wire to create a coat of armor. Then wear a tiara and lipstick as you introduce yourself as "Queen of the Knight." Yes, these are all cheesy, I know, but without a doubt, you could be the hit of a party with your own unique idea.

In addition, most rental companies are going to end up charging you more for your rental than if you were to buy it and make it yourself or if you were to just find a freelance stitcher to build it for you. (By the way, Craig's List is the perfect place to locate freelance costume designers.)

In addition to deposits and rental fees, there's dry cleaning or laundering services, and damage fees. If you spill a drink on yourself at eleven til midnight, it's going to cost you and your wallet a pretty penny or two.

So what do you do with the costume you've made after the big night? If it's still in one piece after your wild night of partying and trick or treating, donate it to your child's school (as long as it's appropriate) or to a local theatre company. Hold on to it for ten months and then donate it to the local thrift store so that someone else can grab it and use it to create his or her own individualized Halloween magic.

And the great thing about donating it to a school, theatre, or thrift store? All of those donations can be counted in your charitable tax deductions for the year as long as you get a receipt. And, when you calculate the value, make sure that you include not only the materials that went into your costume, but also the time and energy that went into making it.

Now, are there times when renting is the better option? Of course, if you are a costumer for your child's production of The King and I or if your community theatre is getting ready to produce the Wizard of Oz, then by all means, seek out your nearest theatre rental shop, and pick the place clean. But if you're just out to have a good time and spread the holiday cheer, then do us all a favor, keep it new, fresh, and above all, costum-atastic.

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