Halloween is your chance to show off creativity — and finding the perfect costume doesn't have to mean buying something brand new. From browsing vintage boutiques and consignment shops to discovering treasures at local resale stores, you can build a costume that's unique, affordable, and eco-friendly. Whether you've found a designer piece that needs refreshing or a pre-made costume that could use a little care, Lapels Cleaners is here to help you look your best.
Start Your Costume Search
Vintage and secondhand stores are full of inspiration — from retro dresses and statement jackets to accessories that complete your look. Before you buy, take a moment to check:
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Fabrics: Delicate materials like silk, rayon, and linen often require professional care, while cotton and polyester are more forgiving but still benefit from a professional cleaning.
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Condition: Look for loose seams, missing buttons, or minor tears. These are easy to repair, especially if the piece is one you love.
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Care Labels: Many store-bought or pre-made costumes list "Dry Clean Only" to preserve their shape, color, and detailing. When in doubt, bring it to us — we'll make sure it's cleaned safely and ready to wear.
Style with Personality
Creating a costume from found pieces gives you the freedom to express your personal style. Try these ideas:
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Timeless Elegance: Pair a vintage gown with pearls or lace gloves for an old-Hollywood costume.
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Retro Revival: Combine bold prints, blazers, or denim for a fun throwback look.
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Classic Halloween: A velvet jacket, wool cape, or lace blouse can transform into a vampire, witch, or mysterious masquerade character.
Don't forget — accessories from vintage or antique stores (hats, gloves, scarves, jewelry) can make all the difference.
Clean Before You Wear
Whether your costume is handmade, secondhand, or from a retail store, give it a little refresh before Halloween night. Some garments may have been stored for years or tried on by others. A professional cleaning at Lapels Cleaners ensures your costume is fresh, comfortable, and cared for correctly — especially if it includes delicate materials, sequins, or embellishments.
Tailoring and Repairs
Sometimes the perfect piece isn't a perfect fit — or maybe it needs a quick fix before you can wear it. Our Lapels tailors and alteration experts can resize, hem, or mend garments to help your costume fit beautifully. Found a small tear or moth hole in a vintage find? We can often restore it so it's ready for another night out.
Every cleaned and repaired garment is one less piece headed to the landfill — helping you celebrate Halloween sustainably and stylishly.
Sustainable Style for Spooky Season
This Halloween, skip the fast fashion and choose creativity instead. When you find and care for garments from vintage or resale shops, you're giving them a second life — and helping protect the environment.
Whether you're dressing up in vintage velvet, modern polyester, or a pre-made costume straight off the rack, Lapels Cleaners can help clean, restore, and preserve your outfit so it looks flawless for the big night — and many more to come.
Pro Tip: After Halloween, bring your costume back to Lapels Cleaners for a post-party refresh before you store it away. We'll help keep it in perfect condition for your next costume party or creative reuse!