How to Rent a Costume

There is no need to buy a costume that will be worn once.

Whether you are looking for a cool costume for Halloween or an upcoming themed birthday party, or else you have been assigned to procure costumes for a theater production, costume rental shops are available in many cities. Costume rental shops typically rent either to individual customers or to entire theater companies. Many costume rental shops have similar policies, but the exact procedures will vary depending on the shop. The conditions of the costume rental policy, which is to be signed by the customer and is considered a binding contract, always prevails.

Instructions

1. Compile a list of the costumes you will need. This is less important if you simply need a costume for Halloween; however, it may be helpful to create a list with some concepts or ideas before you enter the store.

2. Find local places that rent costumes phone book or online. Keep in mind that costume rental shops that cater to individuals will typically be stand-alone commercial affairs, while costume rental shops that cater to theater productions are typically associated with a repertory theater or a college theater department.

3. Go to the costume rental shop and check out their costumes. Do they have the types of costumes you want or need? Does the quality of the costumes meet your expectations? Ask them about their costume rental policies, and then ask to see the written costume rental policy agreement.

4. Choose the costumes you would like to rent. Agree on the terms and the schedule with the shop. You might take the costumes home with you that day, pick them up at a later date or schedule to have the costumes shipped to you on a specific date.

5. Pay the rental fee, as well as make arrangements to satisfy the requirement for a security deposit, as directed by the shop. The security deposit might take the form of the shop having your credit card information on file or a cash deposit to be returned upon the satisfactory return of the costumes.

6. Use the costumes for your intended purpose, but treat them carefully. Do not alter the costumes under any circumstances, except for basting stitches which are to be removed before you return the costumes.

7. Dry clean the costumes if the shop specified this in the costume rental policy agreement. Return the costumes in all-around good condition.

Tips & Warnings

• For theater productions, start contacting costume rental shops between three and six months before the production is scheduled to open.

References

• Party Stop and Costume Corner: Our Rental Policies
• Goodspeed Musicals: Costume Rentals
• 4C Drama Company: Costume Rental Policies
• Make Believe Costumes: Rental Policy