Jordan McCraeThe style and flair of Auckland’s ultimate costume hire shops will make you grab eyeballs like a werewolf at a vampire costume party. Spots like BodyFX and Look Sharp abound and brim with self-expression.
You don’t have to scour AKL’s every nook and cranny to look for shops like the ones above. All the information you need is in this guide, including locations and tips!
Elite Costume Hire
Address: 43 Omega Street, Rosedale, Auckland 0632
Contact Details: 021 131 6224
Operating Hours:
- Mon – 1 pm to 6 pm
- Tue – 10 am to 6 pm
- Wed – 12 pm to 6 pm
- Thu to Fri – 10 am to 6 pm
- Sat – 10 am to 4 pm
- Sun – Closed
With an eclectic wardrobe of over 5,000 head-turning costumes, Elite Costume Hire ensures ladies, lads, lovebirds, and even little troublemakers can find an outfit that’ll rock whatever event they’re wearing it on.
Superheroes, villains, aliens, princesses, unicorns—they have it all.
As for payment, the bucks you’ll fork over depend on the costume, with complicated attires naturally costing more. Just expect to shell out $10 to $100, and you won’t be in for a shocker.
| Tip: You can keep the rented costume as long as you like, but you have to pay $10 for each day following the day you obtain the item from the shop. |
Spotlight
Address: 315-375 Mount Wellington Highway, Mount Wellington, Auckland 1060
Contact Details: 09 871 2600
Operating Hours: Daily – 9 am to 6 pm
From channeling your inner Hogwarts wizard to going bananas in a giant fruit suit, Spotlight is your go-to hub for transforming into anyone or anything you fancy.
This treasure trove boasts a killer selection of costumes and accessories that scream “party-ready,” no matter what costume gala you’re attending. You can browse clown wigs, bunny suits, superhero capes, Jedi robes, and more.
In addition to the costumes, they have colorful face and body paint perfect for any dress-up event.
| Tip: Order costumes worth $120 or more to acquire Spotlight’s free shipping deal. However, remember that this only applies to specific New Zealand areas. |
BodyFX
Address: 10 Collins Street, Morningside, Auckland 1025
Contact Details: 0800 263 939
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Sat – 10 am to 5 pm
- Sun – Closed
When it comes to body and face paint, BodyFX wears the crown. Whether you’re on the hunt for a spine-tingling color that’ll complete your zombie costume or a rainbow-hued kit for your fairy hair, you’ll find what you’re looking for here.
On top of that, they have a plethora of wigs that come in different colors and styles. You can also browse other costume essentials, such as top-quality bald caps, fake blood, scars, teeth, and adhesive.
| Tips: Level up your body or face painting game by joining one of BodyFX’s workshops. They have competitions too! |
Look Sharp
Address: 10A Victoria Street East, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1001
Contact Details: 09 302 0109
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Sat – 9 am to 6 pm
- Sun – 10 am to 6 pm
With more than 10 years in the game, Look Sharp is one of Auckland’s premier spots for all your costume needs.
During our visit here, we scoured through seemingly countless rows of superhero getups, era-themed outfits, horror costumes, and occupation attires.
They even have novelty drips that’ll sure to tickle the funny bones of your pals, with the massive bull poo and beer barrel as our faves.
| Tip: Amp up your party by renting Look Sharp’s party decorations. Visit their physical branch, as this offer can only be discussed through in-store inquiries. |
Gracey’s Costume Hire
– From franklin.hospice
Address: 18 Routly Avenue, Pukekohe, Auckland 2120
Contact Details: 027 239 1228
Operating Hours:
- Mon – Closed
- Tue to Fri – 10 am to 6 pm
- Sat – 11 am to 3 pm
- Sun – Closed
A thousand costumes are up for grabs at Gracey’s Costume Hire, a boutique costume shop offering costumes, wigs, masks, make-up, accessories, and shoes.
The bulk of their wardrobe is ready-to-wear attires for men, women, kids, and even pint-sized toddlers. A few of the store’s crowd favorites include superheroes, armor, princesses, and villains.
Movie stars and characters sell like hotcakes, too, with James Dean, Jessica Rabbit, and Indiana Jones as the prized picks.
| Tips: Save money by checking the costumes currently on sale. Moreover, you can ask the staff for the trendiest attire if you’re having a hard time deciding which costume to bring home. |
Dollar Outlet
Address: 178 Great South Road, Papakura, Auckland 2110
Contact Details: 09 298 5868
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Thu – 9 am to 5:30 pm
- Fri – 9 am to 6 pm
- Sat – 9 am to 4 pm
- Sun – Closed
Dollar Outlet’s wallet-friendly, flashy partyware and whimsical accessories are ideal for dress-up enthusiasts on a tight budget.
Their costumes range from $3 to $50 only but don’t lack in quality and flair. The shop’s best-sellers consist of serious and hilarious get-ups, like Darth Vader, a hippie, and a few NSFW outfits bound to be a spectacle—for better or worse.
In terms of accessories, wigs, headbands, caps, and leg warmers are the products that fly off the shelves.
| Tip: If you can’t make it to a brick-and-mortar store, your optimal choice is online shopping. This move makes it easier to see items currently on sale or products that just arrived. |
First Scene Costume and Party Hire
Address: Behind BOC Gas 334B Rosebank Road, Avondale, Auckland 1026
Contact Details: 09 815 7230
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Fri – 8:30 am to 5 pm
- Sat – 9 am to 5 pm
- Sun – Closed
Whether you’re seeking theater costumes, an anime outfit to wear to the next ComicCon, or attires fitting a flamboyant party, First Scene Costume and Party Hire always comes in clutch.
They’ve been running the show for over 40 years, and you can see their longevity with their collection of over 400,000 items. You read that right; they have an unbelievable amount of goodies, some of which were featured in films and TV ads.
Victorian, circus, fairytale, couple, steampunk—they have all sorts of attires here. You can also score themed party props, like pirate treasure chests, sci-fi rocks, and medieval thrones.
| Tips: Their event designer can help style up your shindig. First Scene also provides tutorials on how to apply body paint, fake blood, and more. |
Ikes & Geoff’s Emporium
Address: 274 Dominion Road, Mount Eden, Auckland 1024
Contact Details: 09 630 5498
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Fri – 9 am to 5:30 pm
- Sat – 9:30 am to 4 pm
- Sun – Closed
We can’t forget about Ikes & Geoff’s Emporium—the shopping haven for party animals and cosplayers alike. Colorful, charming, and crazy wigs are this shop’s finest offerings, but you can find first-rate Halloween masks too.
They also have a vast stash of assorted party items you can use for a themed shindig. We particularly love scoring their balloons, banners, leis, and lanterns, as they’re dirt cheap without compromising quality.
| Tip: Keep an eye on their website, especially as Halloween approaches, for a glimpse of their latest products and the current pricing. |
Lizzylove
Address: 65 Paul Matthews Road, Albany, Auckland 0632
Contact Details: 0210 514 852
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Tue – Closed
- Wed to Fri – 10 am to 4:30 pm
- Sat – 10 am to 3 pm
- Sun – 11 am to 2 pm
Little ladies itching for dress-up parties will have a blast browsing Lizzlove’s bewitching wardrobe.
The shop puts a spotlight on imagination, so your kiddos are free to create a mishmash of skirts, dresses, tiaras, and more.
If they prefer a unified attire, though, grab their themed costumes, comprising ballerina, dragon, wizard, superhero, and fary ensembles.
| Tip: Beyond costumes, you can hire Lizzylove to plan parties for your tiny tots. Head to their website to see the price ranges and party types they offer. |
Desiree Costume Hire
Address:196 Station Road, Penrose, Auckland 1061
Contact Details: 09 525 6546
Operating Hours:
- Mon – Closed
- Tue to Fri – 10 am to 6 pm
- Sat – 10 am to 4 pm
- Sun – 11 am to 3 pm
For those hungry for a taste of vintage glam, Desiree Costume Hire stands as the grand dame of New Zealand’s costume scene, proudly flaunting its legacy since 1928.
This old-but-gold circus-inspired costume shop has an assortment of costumes, footwear, wigs, masks, and all the bells and whistles you’d need to make a statement.
Their highly detailed, custom-designed get-ups set them apart too. Take advantage of this option for a costume limited only by your creativity and budget.
| Tips: Reserve the costume you want for a fair deposit fee of $25. For those who can’t make it to the store, hit up Desiree’s phone number and inform their staff of the attire you’re looking for and your measurements. They’ll find it for you, but it comes with an hourly $30 service fee. |
Paddywhack Fantasy Armory
Address: 1A/100 Queens Road, Panmure, Auckland 1072
Contact Details: 021 937 593
If you want to look like the dashing Prince Charming, a battle-tested knight, or a peaceful druid, Paddywhack Fantasy Armory should be the first costume shop on your list.
This fantasy-centric spot sells battle skirts, hoods, capes, tabards, gambesons, and more garments and armor you can wear to channel your inner Jon Snow or Galadriel.
Speaking of Galadriel, Paddywhack Fantasy Armory is also the Auckland hotspot for elf accessories, like pointed ears and silky-straight wigs. If these can’t convince you, maybe their set of swords, quivers, and scabbards will.
| Tip: You must call before driving here. Paddywhack Fantasy Armory only accommodates buyers with scheduled appointments. |
Party Dudes Ltd
Serviced Areas: Auckland, Wellington, Hamilton, Tauranga, and Christchurch
Contact Details: 0800 131 727
Operating Hours: Daily – 7 am to 7 pm
You can’t go wrong with Party Dudes Ltd, praised for stellar service and banging costumes both for sale and rent.
Novelty, historical, gaming, Halloween, and movie stars are their typical selections. However, the trendiest themes are body shapers, mankinis, and a whole set of attires best reserved for hen and stag parties.
You can also obtain fake tattoos, wigs, facial hair, and petticoats here.
| Tip: Visit their “New Products and Restocks” page for their inventory’s latest additions and returning favorites. |
Bollywood Costume Hire
Address: 52 Kirikiri Lane, East Tāmaki, Auckland 2013
Contact Details: 021 153 7969
Operating Hours:
- Mon – 11 am to 5 pm
- Tue – 11 am to 6:30 pm
- Wed – Closed
- Thu – 11 am to 6:30 pm
- Fri – 11 am to 5 pm
- Sat – 12 pm to 2 pm
- Sun – Closed
At Bollywood Costume Hire, your aspirations of becoming a Bollywood sensation aren’t just dreams; they’re a wardrobe away from reality.
Drop by, and you’ll see a kaleidoscope of opulent sarees, intricately embroidered kurtas, and effortlessly chic turbans that guarantee you’ll be the star of the show, especially if it’s Diwali.
And what’s a Bollywood costume without bling? Luckily, Bollywood Costume Hire has an abundance of all things glitzy, from shimmering necklaces to lustrous pumps.
| Tip: Elevate your next corporate event, conference, or themed award show by availing of this spot’s theme hire package. |
Hobby Zone
Address: 286 Mount Wellington Highway Shop S001, Sylvia Park Shopping Centre, Mount Wellington, Auckland 1060
Contact Details: 09 573 0228
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Wed – 9 am to 7 pm
- Thu to Fri – 9 am to 9 pm
- Sat to Sun – 9 am to 7 pm
Hobby Zone is a heavyweight of the Auckland cosplaying scene that’s hard to outshine. They have the complete package with products like Attack on Titan’s survey cloaks, Haikyuu’s uniforms, and Demony Slayer’s kimonos.
The cosplay craze doesn’t end with the store’s costumes either. Look further, and you’ll see a section filled to the brim with replica swords and guns that are both as flashy as anime fight scenes.
| Tip: Explore the items on sale, like costumes and accessories. They can be a bit pricey without a discount. |
The Dancer’s Wardrobe Ltd
Address: Shop 4/179 Manukau Road, Epsom, Auckland 1023
Contact Details: 09 520 1197
Operating Hours:
- Mon – Closed
- Tue to Fri – 10 am to 5 pm
- Sat – 9 am to 2 pm
- Sun – Closed
Auckland doesn’t have a shortage of dancing costumes, and The Dancer’s Wardrobe Ltd is one of the reasons why groovy get-ups continue to shine in our city.
Leotards, ballerina attires, cabaret shoes, and character skirts are the prime picks here. Dancers and casual buyers with a knack for vibrant accessories can also purchase floral headbands and ribbon sticks.
| Tip: For personalized dance costumes, drop them an email at [email protected], and they’ll assist you in creating the perfect custom ensemble. |
