Still Don't Have a Halloween Costume? Here's a Beijing Shopping Guide

Halloween is fast approaching, but the parties start as soon as this week. Don't get caught on the streets without a costume this year – use this shopping guide for finding the perfect get-up.

Vintage Stores

If you're down with dropping a little more cash, Beijing's vintage haunts are the hub for leather jackets and pants (Olivia Newton-John from Grease anyone?), cowboy vests and boots, and old-school frocks for nearly every decade. Alternatively, you could go the cheaper route and dig for second-hand wear from China and Japan within the thrift stores on Zhangzizhonglu.

Nostalgia

Trash 'n' Diamond
Daily 10am-9pm. 22 Baiziwan Lu, Chaoyang District (5826 3995)
朝阳区百子湾路22号

Mega Mega Vintage

Dragon House Vintage

Markets

Turn to Beijing's clothing markets for Halloween accessories, such as wigs, masks, face-paint, feather boas, and more for a DIY outfit. Look to the colorful leggings and tights for an '80s-themed outfit, or pick up a wedding dress from Wukesong to rock the zombie bride look.

Dongwuyuan Wholesale Market
Daily 6am-5pm. Xizhimenwai Dajie (south of Beijing Zoo), Xicheng District (8837 8056)
动物园服装批发市场,西城区西直门外大街（北京动物园路南）

Wukesong Wedding Dress and Camera Market

Alien Street Market
Yabao Lu (south of Fulllink Plaza), Chaoyang District.
老番街市场, 朝阳区雅宝路

Hongqiao Market
Daily 8.30am-7pm. 36 Hongqiao Lu, Chongwen District. (6713 3354)
红桥市场, 崇文区红桥路36号

Panjiayuan Antique Market
Mon-Fri 8.30am-6pm, Sat-Sun 4.30am-6pm. West of Panjiayuan Qiao, Chaoyang District. (6775 2405)
潘家园旧货市场, 朝阳区潘家园桥西边 

Wudaokou Clothing Market
Daily 9am-7.30pm. Northeast corner of Xueyuan Lu and Beisihuan Lu, Haidian District. (6239 6347)
五道口服装市场, 海淀区学院路和北四环路十字路口的东北角

Yashow Market
Daily 9.30am-9pm. 58 Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang District. (6415 1726)
雅秀市场, 朝阳区工体北路58号

77th Street

Xidan Minority World Market
Daily 9am-7pm. North of the grassy hub of Xidan Square (between 77th Street Plaza and Xidan Shopping Center), Xicheng District
西单民族大世界商场, 西城区西单广场绿地北侧(77街和西单购物中心之间）

Online Stores

Beta Costume Rentals
If you don’t want to go through all the toil and trouble of putting a costume together, then why not rent one? This online rental store has a vast collection, ranging from Grim Reaper costumes to full Hello Kitty regalia. Prices range from RMB 60-150.
(6844 4222) www.beeta.cn

Taobao
For our editor's picks, check out 10 Ridiculous Costumes for Halloween That Are Available on Taobao

Kookus
Kookus, our advertiser, has a large range of Halloween decorations as well as costumes, accessories and for adults and kids, and the site is completely in English.

...And if that's not enough, here are a few other ideas:

Roundabout
This charity shop is fully stocked on what's often referred to as the best selection of Halloween gear in town.

Huan Run
If you’ve left it until the last minute, try Huan Run costume rentals for foreign and traditional getup. Price ranges from RMB 50-100. Daily 9am-6pm. 19/F, Bldg 5, Wanda Plaza, Chaoyang District. (5979 8013) www.fuzhuangzulin.com
寰润, 万达广场5号楼17层

Fabric Markets
If you're crafty, check out any one of Beijing's fabric markets for the materials you need to put together a winning costume of creativity. Our forum has a comprehensive list of fabric markets and what they sell.

Have any other suggestions? Leave them in the comments below.

Photos: Foto Jenny on Flickr, Gavin Anderson on Flickr, Jessica Rapp, and Roundabout