The best costume shops in and around Durban

For themed parties and school dress-up days

A Gatsby party, a medieval school day and a superhero birthday call for very different wardrobes. Fantasia caters for all three. The Westville costume hire business has been dressing customers since 1990, with themes covering everything from flappers and superheroes to witches, knights and familiar fictional characters.

Its school offering includes Book Character Day, Egyptian Day and medieval themes, while adults can browse for birthdays and company functions. If the invitation has left you staring blankly at the dress code, take the theme along and ask about the available outfits and accessories.

Where: 101A Jan Hofmeyr Road, Westville
Contact: 081 383 8264
Website: fantasiahire.co.za

For costumes and the finishing touches

If your costume needs a little more than the clothes, Costume Carnival is a useful place to start. This Durban North shop offers outfits to hire and buy for adults and children, alongside accessories including wings, masks, tutus and gloves. Its range spans superheroes, princesses, book characters and looks inspired by different decades, with dedicated Halloween categories for babies, children and adults.

It’s also handy for assembling an outfit around something you already own. A hat, a pair of wings or the right mask might be all that’s missing.

Where: Kensington Square, 53 Adelaide Tambo Drive, Durban North
Contact: 083 258 0635 or 081 470 4661
Website: costumecarnival.co.za

For little superheroes and storybook characters

The school calendar has a habit of demanding a wardrobe of its own. This home-based Chatsworth business specialises in children’s costume hire, including Disney characters, superheroes, book characters and Career Day outfits.

Browse the hire gallery for ideas, then contact the business to check sizes, prices and availability. Hired costumes must be collected from the premises; they aren’t couriered. There’s also an online shop selling a smaller selection of costumes, accessories and party supplies, with delivery available for purchases. Saturday visits are by appointment.

Where: 89 Road 747, Montford, Chatsworth
Contact: 083 784 1257
Website: kidscostumekingdom.co.za

For costumes, props, and a more elaborate brief

Sometimes the outfit is only the beginning. STYLEbudd offers costume and prop rentals, sales and custom design, making it an option for anyone planning a look that needs more than a ready-made outfit.

Run by Durban concept designer Patrick Flynn, the business also caters for film productions, with vintage everyday clothing available to rent. Its website lists more than 300 fancy dress costumes across different themes and directs customers to Facebook to view current stock. Enquire ahead about your brief and arrange an appointment before visiting.

Where: Community ZA, first floor, Studio 2, 3 Millar Road, Windermere
Contact: 072 684 7313 or 084 337 0089
Website: STYLEbudd

For dress-up and party supplies on the North Coast

Sorting out an outfit and the celebration to match? YOLO offers dress-up items and mascot costumes alongside themed party supplies, balloons and decorations. It’s a useful Ballito stop to enquire about when your party planning involves more than deciding who you’re going as.

Call ahead with your theme, size and event date to check the available costume range, whether the outfit you want is offered for hire or purchase, and which branch to visit.

Where: Ballito
Contact: 032 061 0383
Website: yolopartyshop.co.za

For small people with big dress-up plans

Today a superhero, tomorrow a storybook character. KIDZ Costume Hire in Reservoir Hills caters for children aged three and older, with costumes and accessories available to hire. Viewings are by appointment, so book a visit to find an outfit that fits both your child and the occasion. There’s no delivery service, so you’ll need to arrange collection. 

Where: Reservoir Hills; request the address when booking
Contact: 082 877 4538
Website: KIDZ Costume Hire