How to Find Plus-Sized Halloween Costumes

There are more plus-sized individuals today than ever before, and refusing to cater to what is quickly becoming a broad spectrum of today’s customer base is retail suicide. Still, Halloween and other costumes are some of the hardest clothes for plus-sized individuals to find. However, with a bit of research, finding that perfect costume may be just a click away.

Instructions

1. Check out discount department stores, such as K-Mart and Wal-Mart, and Halloween boutiques. While these stores' plus-sized costume options may be more limited than online retailers, you can try the costumes on at these places to check the fit. Costumes generally come sized in one of two ways: actual sizes like 16/18, 20/22, and 24/26, or in categories such as 1X (16/18), 2X (20/22) and 3X (24/26). Choose the size that most closely matches your actual clothing size.

2. Make your own costume by using a pattern from Simplicity, McCalls or Butterwick. These and other pattern possibilities can be found at fabric stores as well as discount department and craft stores that also handle fabric. Plus sizes for patterns are also either listed as traditional clothing sizes, such as 16/18, 20/22 and 24/26, or in categories such as 1X (16/18), 2X (20/22), and 3X (24/26).Follow the guidelines on the back of the pattern to determine how much and what type of fabric to use for the costume chosen. It will also outline the needed sewing options such as zippers, buttons, hooks and eyes, and other items.Follow the pattern's step-by-step instructions to construct the costume.

3. Check out auction sites like eBay. On the home page, under search, put in the keywords "adult-sized" or "plus-sized" Halloween costumes. The selections that are available will appear on a new page along with a thumbnail sized picture of the costume. Click on each individual option to read more about the costume.Most costume purchases are available as a "Buy It Now" option, which means the buyer does not have to go through the bidding process to obtain the item. Simply click on the "Buy it Now" button and follow the step-by-step guide to finalize the purchase. Be aware, however, that eBay now only accepts PayPal as a payment method.

4. Go to the Buy Costumes website for a variety of plus-sized men's costumes (see Resources below). Plus-sized male costumes include a clown, a Samurai warrior, a Ninja, a prom king, a rock legend, Zorro and a devil, and prices range from $19.99 to $46.99.

5. Search Electric Boutique for sexy adult costumes for women (see Resources below). Costume options include a nurse, a French maid, a witch, a police officer, a school girl and a fairy, and cost between $15 and $100.

6. Shop the largest costume center online, The Costume Super Center, for the best variety of couples plus-sized costumes (see Resources below). Choices include Batman and Batgirl, Dracula and his bride, a Thunderbird and a Pink Lady, and pirate couples, and cost between $29.99 and $99.99 each.

7. Go to Halloween Mart (see Resources below). This site has wonderful costumes of favorite television characters, including Hercules, Snow White, Batgirl, Superman and Elvira. Prices range from $29.99 to just under $59.99.

8. Shop Spirit Halloween for unisex and other plus-sized costumes (see Resources below). Options include costumes like tacos, chili peppers, pumpkins and more. Prices range from around $14.99 to $39.99.

9. Go to anytimecostumes.com. The site offers five pages of costumes for both men and women as well as those that are unisex in nature (like a bottle of beer). Prices range from $30 to just under $125.

10. Opt for www.ordercostumes.com. The site only offers plus-sized costumes for women. Prices average around $53.

Tips & Warnings

• Opt for costumes that can be used for other occasions or for multiple years.

• Be careful of the fabrics that make up the costume. Look for fabrics that are flame resistant or retardant.

Resources

• Buy Costumes has plus sized adult costumes for men.
• Search Electrique Boutique for sexy plus sized adult costumes for women.
• Costume SuperCenter has a large selection of plus sized couples costumes.
• Halloween Mart has television-themed costumes, as well as a large selection of other plus-sized costumes.
• Spirit Halloween has a large selection of women's plus-sized costumes as well as unisex costumes in large sizes.