RICKY'S NYC
Ricky’s NYC, known for its scandalous variety of costumes and decor, is perfect for Halloween prepping. Now, New York’s finest has a convenient 15th Street location so promiscuous college kids (like us!) can find the perfect outfit for tricking and treating. Walking into the overcrowded and conveniently overstocked store is an overwhelming experience for a Ricky’s virgin. But luckily, the store’s layout starts customers off slowly by showing only tacky glasses and gear that will transform your toddler into a turtle, gnome or other nauseatingly cute character. This sense of making a wrong turn in a Toys "R" Us is quickly lost by venturing down the stairs and into Ricky’s lingerie shop, better known as the adult section.
Brands like Leg Avenue and Playboy are prominent features in the tight aisles of every costume imaginable — each formulaically given a title with the prefix of sexy or turned into a play on the word hottie. You will drop a pretty penny on your pleather cop–suit (costumes generally range from about $40 to $80), but some cheaper options are littered throughout.
Have a specific costume in mind? The salesgirls are happy to help you find any outfit your heart desires. After asking for a Little Red Riding Hood get–up, we were cheerily directed to six different options. As far as we are concerned, if you can dream it, they carry it — as long as you aren’t in the market for something other than a tight–fitting, barely–there loincloth–esque disguise.
Ricky’s NYC
1428 Walnut St.
(215) 544 – 1669
rickysnyc.com
— Hilary Miller
MASQUERADE
If you are in search of the perfect Halloween costume, Masquerade Costume Superstore is the place to go. Located in Pennsport, Philadelphia, they truly have almost every Halloween costume you could imagine. Ranging from every Disney character to variations on the Halloween standards like the classic witch or fairy, you are bound to find what you're looking for.
Salespeople are there, but it is hard to find them and even harder to get their attention. There are also only two fitting rooms for the entire store so if you want to try on your costume, you will have to wait at least 10 to 15 minutes. The prices are mostly average but be careful because they can become steep quite quickly. When asked how much a masquerade mask was, the saleswoman responded that the ones hanging on the wall range from $14 to $100, but the ones in the glass case start at $400. There are also full body costumes ranging from $100 to $300.
Nonetheless, the selection at Masquerade is enormous. They have hundreds of different options and multiple different types of almost every character. They don’t only have typical Halloween costumes, they also have a large selection of corsets, hundreds of hats, wig, masks, and Halloween decorations, as well. Costumes get pretty imaginative as you sort through the stacks; there is even a Marshmallow Peep suit and a Humpty Dumpty (seated on wall, of course) costume. The biggest downside to Masquerade is its location on the opposite side of the city. But if you have the time and are in need of the perfect costume for Halloween this year, it is worth the trip: you will not leave Masquerade empty–handed. Masquerade Costume Supercenter
1100 South
Columbus Blvd.
(215) 952 – 0980
masqueradeadventure.com
— Sophia Valner
