Are you going to attend a function soon in Wellington but still don’t have an outfit that fits the occasion and your style? If so, there’s no need to worry!

Wellington has many costume shops where you can either rent or buy a flashy outfit. You just need to find them (I can help you with that). 

Whether you’re looking for a formal or theme-driven costume, there’s always a lovely store in town where you can get one.

Without further ado, I present to you the best costume shops in Wellington, where I score costumes for any occasion. These stores can cater to all themes, events, and ages.

1. Creative Show Off Costume Hire

Address: 89 Thorndon Quay, Thorndon
Phone: +64 4 473 9988
Business hours:

• Thu: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
• Mon-Fri: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Sat: 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM

Instagram
Website 

Creative Show Off Costume Hire is the place to go when looking for a detailed, eye-pleasing, and ready-to-wear costume. It houses over a thousand full dress-ups from different eras and various themes, so you’re likely to find something that’ll fit your needs.

I love the Gandalf attire I rented here before—it’s simple but undeniably striking.

Another striking thing about this shop is the helpful staff. The first time I came here, I just told them my ideas about the costume I wanted. In less than 20 minutes, they pieced items together and created a marvelous costume for me.

One more good thing about them is that they have a flexible return policy for the costume you rented. Remember the Gandalf outfit I mentioned? I returned it two days late and wasn’t hit with a late return fee.

I’m also a big fan of their website. It has a very user-friendly layout, allowing me to navigate easily. Although they don’t have an online shopping option, the website offers a good preview of their products.

The only unpleasant thing I noticed about their shop is that it looks cramped and cluttered (maybe because they have too many products).

Simply amazing

“Amazing range of costumes, friendly service and professional advice. Everyone loved our costumes and marveled at the quality. Reasonably priced hire rates. The range of options are overwhelming so I highly advise that you best come with some ideas in mind. They do have a menu of costumes that you can flip through, a wall of costume photos to help and a comfy couch to mull over your options 🙂 I love the cool little section where you can see the staff mending and working on costumes. It’s a huge space that is neatly organised into various racks. All costumes are sorted into sections according to themes, styles and era. The ladies there are very creative and spin out a look in a jiffy once you know what you want. We had so much fun trying on various costumes. We decided to go in the end as Gandalf and Arwen. Would definitely come back and highly recommend them!” 

-daezjn, Google Review 

Good range of costumes 

“Very friendly staff and a lot of choices of costumes and creative wardrobes for different occasions. We came here as my daughter need a costume in yellow for her outing day at school where she will be running the track as well. So we managed to hire the chicken costume. Fast process, we paid NZD 25 for a two-day rent. You can definitely see many other choices with the specific themes or particular time lines, super heroes, different professions, as well as masks, related properties and more. Happy to be back here for my Art Deco Festival and Halloween” 

-indah nuria Savitri, Google Review

2. Attire for Hire

Address: 23 Broderick Road, Johnsonville
Phone: +64 27 777 4042
Business hours: Mon-Sat: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Website 

Attire for Hire is the rental service you must visit if you’re going to attend a formal event. They have a great range of formal dresses and suits that are ideal for corporate events. 

What really stands out about this place is the pricing—it’s incredibly reasonable. In fact, some of the customers I chatted with mentioned they ended up buying a few pieces outright instead of renting since the prices are pretty low.

Another thing worth mentioning is the sewing alterations they do at a fair cost. They can change the buttons and zippers or adjust the hems to make the clothes fit you better.

I benefit from this when I like a suit with long sleeves but want them to be shorter. They know an effective folding technique.

Booking an appointment is pretty flexible too. Even if the time slots on their website don’t work for you, just reach out. I just told them that there were no available time frames that fit my schedule, and the owner booked me a special appointment that day.

However, Attire for Hire is not the shop to go to if you’re looking for a kids’ outfit, as they don’t have any.

Thank you so much Judy

“I’m not one to write reviews but I can’t express how amazing this place is. I was stressed looking for a dress to wear for a black tie event, and it was very LAST minute, seriously left it to the week of looking for something, and couldn’t find anything that was within my budget in stores, I was recommended by a friend to go to Attire for hire, first impression walking in I was blown away with the selections of GORGEOUS dresses hanging on the rack, but also slightly nervous because I didn’t think Judy would have anything in my size. I comfortably fit a size 16-18, boy, how wrong was I, when I met Judy she didn’t muck around lolz she provided AMAZING service, she also ensured the dresses she selected I was comfortable in. Not only did I find THE dress, it was affordable. If you are looking for an evening dress trust me, go and see Judy, she gives you her full attention, time and out the gate amazing service. I will be back again Judy, Thank you so much for everything, I felt amazing in my dress❤️. 100% recommend her!!!” 

-Gina Moke, Google Review 

10/10 recommended

“My mum and I had been looking for ages for something for my year 12 formal but were always coming up short as I didn’t really know what style or colour I wanted. Attire for Hire fixed that problem. Judy was so helpful. She picked a wide range of dresses so I could figure out what I did and didn’t like. She also gave advice about jewellery and other accessories. It was really fun to try on all the different dresses even though I ended up purchasing the first one, it was really awesome to figure out what I did and didn’t like. Their range is really inclusive with dresses for all different body types, styles and preferences. Also really helpful that she does altercations etc! This was a really fruitful experience and one I would recommend to all people who need some guidance when preparing for an event!” 

-Sophie Gill, Google Review

3. Velvet Cherry

Address: 299 Cuba Street, Te Aro
Phone: +64 21 747 179
Business hours: Wed-Sat: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Instagram
Website 

Velvet Cherry is the perfect shop to consult if you have a detailed idea for your costume. They make tailor-made outfits of any kind, from formal to casual dress-ups. 

I draw my son’s costume sometimes, so their service is beneficial to me because they turn my design into reality.

The great thing about hiring them to make a costume for you is that they use a nice variety of fabrics. Some of the natural fabrics they use are wool, silk, and cotton. 

They also use synthetic fabrics like polyester. I often opt for natural fabrics so my son feels comfy wearing his costume.

They can, however, take some time to sew the outfit you want (as long as a month). So, I recommend that you contact them as soon as possible.

But if you’re in a rush, they also have a decent number of pre-made outfits to choose from. My wife loves their corsets. She had already bought two corsets at this shop, one made from cotton fabric and another one made from linen.

Best tailor shop in town 

“This is hands down the best tailor and best alterations in wellington. Fiona is unbelievably talented with an eye for detail. I brought in my 3 piece wedding suit that I had custom made but the company totally botched it and I had 3 days before the wedding! Fiona swooped in and saved the day with a tenacious mentality to make sure i was happy with the final look. She went to great lengths to fix anything I didn’t like, went above and beyond with little details and even picked out things I couldn’t see and fixed them. She put functionality, genius and talent together and sent me on my way with something im so happy with now. She’s not only super intelligent with garment, fabric and structural needs of an outfit but is also a blast to hang with. I wouldn’t choose anyone else to tailor a suit, dress or anything in wellington. Forever thankful!” 

-Juliet Lewis, Google Review 

Perfect in every way

“In NZ where all the clothes are simultaneously super expensive and terrible quality, Velvet Cherry is a godsend if you need the perfect dress. I’m a curvy girl and finding something that fits both my chest and my waist is a genuine struggle. I needed a nice dress for my cousins fancy wedding and trying to buy one in Wellington was hopeless. I didn’t like anything enough to justify how much it cost. When my mum suggested getting a dress made I was sceptical. Don’t you need to be rich for that? Turns out you don’t. Velvet Cherry made me exactly what I wanted, tailored to me, with quality fabric, for cheaper than a lot of the dresses I’ve seen in the Wellington boutiques. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not cheap, but for what it is the price was reasonable. As a uni student I’m not going to get all my clothes made for me, but the idea was good for something special and lasting. Overall, I’m very happy with the dress Velvet Cherry made me and would absolutely recommend them to a friend.” 

-Becca E, Google Review

4. Dangerfield – Wellington

Address: 50 Willis Street, Wellington Central
Phone: +64 4 470 6061
Business hours:

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

Instagram
Website 

With over 5000 items, it’s impossible not to find something you would love at Dangerfield – Wellington. This is my go-to shop when I have plenty of time to pick items on my own, based on my ideas.

I really love the diversity of their products. They have a great variety of costumes to choose from. There are funky, gothic outfits and ones with sparkling colours for all ages. I once bought a funky top here when I wanted to feel young at a friend’s birthday party (pardon your uncle).

I really appreciate the numerous discounts it offers. It almost has discount promos every month. What I love most are the birthday discount coupons you can get (you must have an online account to get the coupon).

The only drawback I’ve noticed is that certain items—especially costumes in large sizes—can sell out quickly.

A heaven for my heart

“We were on our holiday, saw quirky and some brilliant print dresses, it’s just my kinda thing. It was definitely a heaven for my heart, The staff so friendly and helpful. Special thanks to staff worked in month of may second week. Girls were so kind. I spent at least 50 mins on trying more than 10 dresses purchased these amazing.so happy with my purchases, i will miss this store. But online is cool too. I am in love with this brand now. The customer care online is also nice and helpful. Sharing some of my favourite dresses which I matched with my handmade earrings.” 

-yuvika pai, Google Review 

A store with amazing team

“I went in for a last minute ball outfit and was served by Lola, Bee & JuJu. single handily the best retail experience I have ever had. As a non binary person, I have never been gendered correctly in a retail setting and often will be greeted with confusion when I shop in the mens section. But immediately as I stepped through the doors and explained what I was there for Lola understood right away and asked all the right questions surrounding whether I was comfortable showing my chest, what fit I like my pants to be, whether I wanted a dress or more of a suit look. They also suggested items in the outlet and discounted sections knowing that I was a student and on a budget. I was handled so incredibly well and made to feel so incredibly confident and validated in who I am with no question, confusion or judgement. and walked away with an outfit i felt so confident in. clothes shopping is sometimes incredibly daunting and uncomfy for me but my experience here was not in the slightest, and incredibly gender affirming. Thank you Lola, Bee & JuJu! you’re an amazing team will definitely be back in the future <3333” 

-Talola Tendu, Google Review

5. Spotlight Wellington

Address: 120 Old, Hutt Road, Kaiwharawhara
Phone: +64 4 886 7300
Business hours:

• Mon-Sun: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Thu: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Instagram
Website 

Spotlight Wellington has a wide selection of vibrant costumes for all ages. They have colourful dress-ups for various events, such as Halloween, Christmas, and kids’ parties. 

Apart from full costumes, you can also score lots of accessories at this store, like masks, glasses, and other stuff you can add to your outfit. I know this is crazy, but my son loves to add a cape to his Spider-Man costume. It’s a good thing they have cloaks with beautiful designs.

Another good thing about this shop is that they sell pet costumes, specifically for dogs and cats. This is where I buy my Pomeranian cute outfits. Almost all their items have lively colours, so imagine how adorable my little dog is every time he wears his bright colour getups. 

One thing I didn’t like when I visited, though,  was the lack of price tags on some items. When I asked a crew member about the price of a product with no tag, she told me to check at the counter, which was somewhat of a hassle.

I really love this store

“Spotlight is the home of craft ware – basically anything you want in that line – they also sell materials, curtains, bedding, kitchenware and soft furnishings – a huge range and known as the one stop for any of these items. This is the only Spotlight store in Wellington with the next nearest being Spotlight Kapiti in Paraparaumu. I went to get replacement wooden curtain rings with curtain hook eyelets – tried all the normal stores in and around Wellington City including Placemakers, Bunnings, Warehouse, Briscoes without luck and so headed to Kaiwharawhara to check out Spotlight and Lewis’s. Whilst Spotlight had what I was after and at a very reasonable price, I found some excellent decorative metal rings with nylon easyglide inserts – these were a little more expensive but perfect for my need and I left as a very satisfied customer and 30 high quality rings. Parking is good, easy location to find, staff at checkout counter efficient & courteous. Staff at curtains & materials section at rear of store helpful and knowledgeable as to what was in stock and recommended ring sizes for various curtain rod diameters. I have previously purchased children’s craft supplies at this store and can add that they have an overwhelming array of supplies on display.” 

-Roger MacDonald, Google Review

More than a store

“Spotlight Wellington is a treasure trove for creative minds and home enthusiasts alike. Nestled in the heart of the city, this store boasts an impressive range of fabrics, craft supplies, and homewares that cater to all tastes and project sizes. Whether you’re a seasoned crafter or just starting out, Spotlight Wellington is your go-to destination for quality, variety, and friendly service. The store’s layout is designed to inspire, with well-organised aisles that invite you to explore and discover new materials for your next project. The fabric selection is second to none, offering everything from luxurious textiles to practical everyday options. For those into DIY home decor, the array of curtains, blinds, and interior accessories is sure to spark joy and creativity. What truly sets Spotlight Wellington apart is its commitment to customer satisfaction. The staff are known for their helpfulness and expertise, always ready to assist with a smile and provide valuable advice. The store’s extended hours make it convenient for shoppers to visit after work or during the weekend, ensuring you never have to put your creative pursuits on hold. With competitive prices and regular sales, Spotlight Wellington is not just a store; it’s a community hub where ideas come to life, and creativity is celebrated.” 

-Dr James Pratt, Google Review