Are you getting ready for something unusual like a costume party? If so, know that I feel your stress in finding the best costume (I’ve been there, too). 

I once showed up to a Christmas party in a half-baked Nami costume from One Piece—just a wig and a skimpy top. I didn’t even have her weather-controlling staff!

I was so embarrassed that night, especially next to someone dressed as a fully decked-out Bumblebee from Transformers!

From then on, I promised myself that I would find the best costume shop in Christchurch that would help me look like I’m not a killjoy at the next costume party I’ll attend. And here I am now, sharing what I’ve found to help you avoid the same mistake!

1. Tom’s Emporium

Address: 6/484 Cranford Street, Redwood
Phone: +64 3 281 8069
Business hours:

• Mon-Sat: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
• Sun: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

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Website 

Tom’s Emporium is a shop with a wide range of costumes for the usual occasions, such as Halloween, Valentine’s Day, and Christmas. This is my go-to store whenever there’s a costume party at my company.

What I love about this shop is that they’re happy to sell accessories individually. One time, they had a set of jewellery with a necklace, earrings, and a brooch. I only wanted to buy the lovely brooch to add to my costume. Guess what? They sold it to me for a bargain price!

Their extensive selection of wigs is also impressive. They have almost every colour and length you can imagine! I bought a short, bright orange wig in case I want to do my Nami cosplay again in the future.

Another thing about this shop that fur parents would surely love is that they sell costumes for fur babies. While they mostly cater to dogs, it’s still a cute touch for fellow fur parents that I really appreciate.

The only downside of Tom’s Emporium is the shop’s accessibility. Some customers I spoke with mentioned that getting to the second floor is tiring due to the many stairs.

You can find everything you need here

“It’s literally everything I need. As a cosplayer and artist I really needed a place like this. It’s like a dollar store for craft supplies, all the supplies I could ever need for making art is right there. They even have hardware supplies, from chains and wheels to screwdrivers and dowels. The staff are all quite nice, and conversation is always good with those working the fabric desk. For anyone working on a creative project of any kind I would absolutely recommend going to Tom’s Emporium.” 

-Bryce Is Trying, Google Review 

An incredible store indeed

“Tom’s Emporium had changed my life for the better. I can’t believe I’d not heard of toms until earlier this year. I’ve been back dozens of times since and can’t fault them! They have the most incredible range of products including party decorations and planning, cake making and decorating, costumes, floristry stuff, pet items, games and toys, arts and crafts, stationery, homewares, personal items, tools, hardware items, paint, tons of wheels and casters and nuts and bolts and all other handy things, and then there’s the haberdashery department… Everything you can imagine is there – fabrics, buttons…. A whole Wall of buttons! Ribbons, lace, elastic, zips, other fastenings etc, cotton, velcro, patches, chords, feathers, gorgeous wee models of things, wool, felt…. and the list goes on and on! The staff are wonderful and always so happy and helpful. I recommend everyone should visit Tom’s at least once!”

-Larissa Aplin, Google Review

2. Look Sharp Christchurch Northlink

Address: Northlink Shopping Centre, 100 Langdons Road, Papanui
Phone: +64 3 281 7791
Business hours: Mon-Sun: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
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Website 

Look Sharp is the shop to go to if you have a unique idea for a costume. They do custom products of any kind, from full costumes to special accessories. I guess I’ll have Nami’s staff the next time I cosplay her.

They also offer custom printing services, which is a huge bonus. They print on t-shirts, banners, and cutouts. I found this service truly beneficial for those who want to cosplay a character with an iconic printed shirt, such as Rocky Balboa’s “Win Rocky Win” t-shirt.

Non-custom-wise, they sell an extensive selection of full costumes. Some costumes you can buy are superhero, historical, and occupation-centric sets. I once bought an elegant but affordable Wonder Woman costume for a community event party.

Aside from their products, it’s also worth mentioning that they have a tidy and organised shop. The shop’s tidiness and systematic item arrangements helped me shop with ease.

That said, I was a bit disappointed with their 20 NZD minimum online shopping value. It’s a bit frustrating when you want to order a small product and end up having to spend more than planned.

I almost missed this gem!

“I was a bit confused because when I looked at store from carpark i thought they were selling upmarket clothes! Hence the name “look sharp” I st called into kmart looking for self adhesive numerals but they don’t sell them… strange then went to mega 10 but they only had big numbers & the team at enquiries counter said try loom sharp up the road opp kmart! So I went back & found what I was looking for just $1.50 great price & range, something for everyone here! But ran out of time to have a good look around but definitely calling back again!” 

-Marc Austin, Google Review 

Great store with great products

“Such a clean, tidy and organized store. Thought it was a discount shop but it’s an arts and crafts store and costume/party supplies store (like spotlight without the fabric). A great place to shop for inspiration with crafty things and party planning. The day we visited there was a halloween set up in store. They also have an online store, which is how I knew they sold toddler shark costumes for my 3 year oldest dress up day at preschool.” 

-K H, Google Review

3. The Woolston Emporium

Address: 200 Ensors Road, Woolston
Phone: +64 3 366 6867
Business hours: Thu-Sun: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
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If Look Sharp has a tidy shop, The Woolston Emporium’s store has a vibrant atmosphere mainly because of their staff who are always smiling. 

Even other customers and I are smiling in amazement at their travel-back-in-time products. This store is like a shop and a museum in one!

A big sci-fi movie fan, like my husband, would love this nostalgic shop. They have a wide range of costumes inspired by sci-fi movie characters. My hubby is a die-hard The Matrix fanatic, so it’s only natural that he can’t take his eyes off the Neo dress-up we saw during one of our visits.

Besides sci-fi outfits, the shop offers a wonderful selection of vintage costumes, especially from the ‘60s. To be honest, I didn’t even know what that era’s clothing looked like until I came here.

Unfortunately, they have no costumes for kids. However, you can score accessories that can match a kid’s costume, like some bat-shaped glasses for a Batman dress-up (my son has one).

A store for old soul people

“Lovely experience, amazing selection from 60s clothing and up. Jewelery, bags shoes.Creative steampunk selection, cool antique house wares, records and also dried flowers also heaps of other cool things. Everything there has there own separate space so looking around can take a while, the coffee and food caravan is a great place to relax and then go back for another search. Also the business owners are so friendly and helpful. Great parking next to complex. A Stone from Winslow Ashburton.” 

-Angelene Stone, Google Review 

Feels like I travelled back in time

“Take a walk back into history, with beautiful stalls and great set ups, lots of variety and interesting pieces, friendly staff amd stall holders. From vintage furniture, oil lamps, records, gramaphones, classic outfits and clothing, stunning jewellery, statues, vintage clocks. A gorgeous flora stall, with fresh flowers and dried arrangements, old fashion lollies, gorgeous plates with hilarious quotes, vintage radios turned into Bluetooth speakers. Allow a couple of hours to wonder this magnificent space and take in all its glory. Go on a weekend to enjoy a coffee and food at the cool cordial, this little treasure will not disappoint, the food and coffee is delicious and made with so much love and soul.” 

-Abbey M, Google Review

4. Petticoat Lane Costume Hire

Address: 16 Harewood Road, Papanui
Phone: +64 3 354 3507
Business hours:

• Mon & Thu: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Tue, Wed, & Fri:  9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Sat: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

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Website

Petticoat Lane Costume Hire is a must-visit shop if you will just use a costume once, as they have a vast variety of outfits for rent. In total, I’ve already rented three full costumes here from different eras: the ‘70s, the ‘80s, and the ‘90s.

Let me elaborate more on the costumes they have from various eras. They have eight eras, going far back to the ‘20s. I’m just waiting for another classic outfit costume party so that I can stun the crowd while wearing the ‘20s black flapper dress from this shop.

Another quality thing I love renting from this shop is their masks. They have tons of them! I once rented a Pennywise mask to scare my relatives who would come to our home for Halloween.

Another good point is their knowledgeable staff. During one of my visits, a customer was confused about which items to buy because they didn’t have the exact thing he was looking for. What the staff did was put together pieces of items to create the look he wanted.

The only negative thing I can say about them is the 10 NZD cancellation fee for online orders.

I won because of you, Michelle

“Michelle is one of the most lovely people I have come across in NZ 🙂 She was patient, helpful, and made lovely recommendations. Her store has it all – I mean it! So many things to choose from and many combinations to play with. She has you sorted for that dress-up event or that costume party! I wore a Pukeko dress for my office party and won the prize for the best dressed person!!! Thanks, heaps, Michelle :-)” 

-Sunaina Kaushik, Google Review

Very lovely customer service

“I was in search of a top hat for a costume, when I called up the lady I spoke to was so lovely, helpful, she didn’t have the one in stock that I was looking at online but she recommended a different style. She put it on hold for me until I’d made a decision as it was the last one, then posted it straight to me once purchased. The top hat is just what I wanted, and despite it being of “costume” standard it is very high quality and looks and feels great! It’s the perfect addition to my costume, thank you for your help, you were just lovely! Kate x” 

-Stitch N Time, Google Review

5. Rolleston Costume and Event Hire

Address: 18 Freight Drive, Rolleston
Phone: +64 274 843 040
Business hours: 

• Thu: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
• Mon-Fri: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Sat: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

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Website

The great thing about Rolleston Costume Event and Hire is that you can rent or buy all their costumes and accessories. It gives you options depending on your budget and needs.

They also have a great range of accessories. They stock some items you don’t often find elsewhere, like tattoo sleeves and teeth. I bought teeth here once for Halloween, so my son would be perfect for his mini-Dracula cosplay.

The best thing about them is the selection of full costumes with accessories already included in the hire price. When I found this out, I always asked their staff about the available outfits with accessories for a cost-effective, more complete look.

However, you need to pay a 50% non-refundable deposit to secure your order. Plus, they give out non-expiry store credits instead of giving you your money back for cancelled orders.

Thank you for the experience!

“What a great experience! The lady who served me was so helpful and kind, she got all of the costumes out and ready for me. Gave me a petticoat to buff up my Minnie Mouse outfit and some amazing boots to match although they weren’t technically a part of the costume pack. She was bubbly, caring, confidence boosting and had some great stories and humour. Good price as well only $50 for everything! Over all so glad I drove in from Christchurch to go to this costume shop. Best customer service, great price and easy to follow flip book with alphabetical costumes and sizing 💯. Very happy they had so many different size go go boots for the big feet ladies too 🥰” 

-Zaria Grant, Google Review

Highly recommended

“We hired a number of things from Rolleston Event Hire for our wedding. We absolutely loved working with them and they went above and beyond to help us make our day amazing. We had to postpone our wedding due to covid and while this was stressful for us, Rolleston Event Hire made this super simple. When we were finally able to get married, they delivered all of the things we hired and then came back to set them up on the day of our wedding which we absolutely did not expect them do to! They also came back on a Sunday morning to pack things down which was such a huge help to us. All of the staff we have dealt with have been friendly, professional and incredibly helpful. We also had a wedding guest who hired a dress from here and it was such a beautiful dress! I would definitely hire things from this business again and I will be recommending them to anyone who needs help with their event!” 

-Hollie Hitchens, Google Review