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Halloween is only two weeks away, so unless you already purchased your pizza rat costume, the hunt for a kick-ass getup is on! We get it: Costumes can cost as much as a Benjamin. And while there are plenty of affordable Halloween Stores and budget-friendly salons to get awesome Halloween makeovers, you can’t beat pillaging NYC’s best vintage and thrift shops for a cheap-but-creative DIY look. Here are the top three thrift shops and the makeshift costumes you can nab for way less than a c-note.
Urban Jungle
You’d think you stumbled into a taping of That ’70s Show based on how many major throwbacks we recently found at this Bushwick thrift shop. (Guys, if you need a Fez costume, this is the spot!) And all you need to purchase to pull-off Penny Lane’s classic groupie look is an oversized, faux-fur coat ($20–$30), flared wide-leg jeans ($10) and chunky, round sunglasses ($5).
Best For: Penny Lane from Almost Famous
Arbour Vitae
The ’90s are alive and well at this Williamsburg shop, which runs rampant with Beverly Hills 90210 styles. We couldn’t help but notice that current items in stock (See below: plaid mini-skirt and matching tailored blazer) are giving us major Cher and Dionne vibes. Talk about the perfect bestie costume, right? But you’ll have to look elsewhere to find an Alaïa. As if! 238 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn (864-663-3463, @thearborvitae)
Best For: Cher from Clueless
Screaming Mimi’s
Halloween is kind of a big deal at this vintage trove—the shop owner starts planning the windows in January. And since most of the styling staff has a background in theatre, this shop is a must-stop for period looks—especially those from the 1920’s. A glitzy flapper dress (hand-beaded) will cost you $98 at least, but there are plenty of affordable jewels and hats ($15 and up) that will make any frock look art deco and authentic.
Best For: Daisy Buchanan from The Great Gatsby