When did Cosplay become a thing?

Dressing up as a character has been around for about 100 years, but the term "cosplay" - a combination of costume and play - first came into being in the mid 1980's in Japan. While cosplay was initially based primarily on Japanese anime characters, it has expanded into characters from movies, TV, and literature as well.

Is Cosplay just for kids?

Not at all! As a matter of fact, most cosplayers are adults. While in the US it is most popular to cosplay at a convention such as Comic Con or Star Wars Celebration, there is a district in Japan - known as the Harajuku District - where people do their everyday activities while in cosplay.

I'm heading to a convention. How early do I need to plan out my cosplay?

We recommend planning months in advance. You'll want to shop around for the costume that fits both in size and budget. Since you are possibly going to be ordering from China, you'll want to make sure you leave plenty of time for your costume to be made - often retailers make them as they are ordered - as well as ship from overseas.

Why should I shop online for my cosplay?

In order to get a screen-accurate costume, you'll probably want to order from a retailer that has access to the fabrics that will have you looking your best. Also, there aren't a lot of brick-and-mortar stores to choose from. If you decide to go with a store in China, that would add a lot to the cost of your costume to fly over there yourself!

Can I get a completely custom size?

Yes! Most cosplay costume stores give you the option to send in your exact measurements and they will make your outfit according to those. Some of them have that option available for any costume, and others only for the higher-end - and more expensive - choices. Either way, if typical sizing doesn't really fit you the way you'd like, there are plenty of possibilities for you.

Can I return my cosplay items?

That depends on the retailer. We definitely recommend checking out the policy before you buy to make sure you know their terms. Some of them make it easier - and cheaper - to return an item than others.

Are cosplay costumes expensive?

They certainly can be. Because of the desire to be "screen accurate" and to act the part - and not just dress up for a night - it can be an expensive hobby. However, it doesn't have to be. While some costumes can cost you over $1,000, there are plenty of good ones that will run you more in the $200-$400 range. If you don't care as much about the types of fabrics, you can possibly go cheaper as well. No matter which way you go, don't forget the extras such as shoes, props, wigs, or masks, that don't always come with the initial outfit.

How into this do people get?

You can dip your toe into the world of cosplay or you can go all out. How much or how little you do is completely up to you. For example, have you ever heard of the 501st? They are a group of cosplayers that spend hundreds - at least - on their screen-accurate Star Wars cosplay. In order to be accepted, your costume has to pass an inspection! They often have special luggage just for their attire as well. Once you're part of the group, you get to go do charity events with them to raise money.

Halloween Costumes Review for February 2026

Item: Halloween Costumes Review
Rating: 2.5
Author: Top Consumer Reviews

Saturday, February 14th We evaluate products and services based on unbiased research. Top Consumer Reviews may earn money when you click on a link. Learn more about our process.

2026 Cosplay Store Reviews

Where Can You Find the Best Cosplay Costume Stores? If you've ever wanted to step into the shoes of your favorite superhero or anime character, cosplay costume stores can make those dreams a reality. These shops are for everyone - from convention-goers and trick-or-treaters to social media stars who've turned cosplay into a full-time gig. Yep, you heard that right - some TikTokers are actually making a living by donning spot-on costumes and entertaining millions of followers. (Pro tip: your lighting is just as important as the accuracy of your costume.)

2.4

FAIR

Fair

Halloween Costumes

Prices typically range from $50 to $100 for costumes
Good selection of costumes, including options for cosplay
US-based company, potentially offering faster shipping
"A-" from the BBB
Easy shopping experience with customer reviews and stackable search filters
Offers a 20% discount on one item
Fast delivery

FAIR

2.4

On the Halloween Costumes website

Halloween Costumes specializes in... you guessed it, Halloween Costumes. They claim to have "the biggest selection of costumes in the world", but that doesn't mean they carry the most cosplays. They pride themselves on inclusivity - you'll find costumes for all body shapes and sizes, including non-human ones. (We're talking about costumes for dogs and cats, to be clear.) They've been in business since 1992 and are one of the only costume stores in our review that is based in the USA.

Get 20% off your cosplay

When you first land on Halloween Costumes' website, you'll see a banner offering 20% off any one item - you just have to give them your email address to qualify.

Cosplays that look like Halloween costumes

Halloween Costumes has a "cosplay costumes" section with 635 results, but to us, they all look somewhat cheap and generic. If you wear one of these to a con, you probably won't get asked how long it took you to make it - people will be able to tell you bought it from a Halloween costume store. Maybe you're okay with that, but given that the prices look similar to what you'd get from competitors for something more detailed, using better fabric, and often custom-sized, you wouldn't be getting a great deal. For example, an Attack on Titan Mikasa Deluxe Costume was $119 here, and while it included the shirt, jacket, pants, cape, and a few accessories, they looked to be made of cheap spandex and polyester. From a top competitor site, $119 bought you all the same accessories, but the material was made of "uniform cloth" rather than spandex.

No complaints about navigation

The shopping experience is easy enough, though. Items come with customer reviews that can be sorted based on different criteria (highest rating to lowest, date). You can save your favorite costumes to a list for later. We like the stackable search filters - within the results filtered for cosplays, you can also filter for what's on sale or clearance, by price, and for costumes made by Halloween Costumes themselves (recommended by some reviewers for superior quality, especially for the Disney costumes).

Get a cosplay costume for under $100

Speaking of price, most of the cosplays and Halloween costumes you'll find here fall in the $50 to $100 range, although there are a few higher priced items like the Authentic Darth Vader Ultimate Edition Costume for $1,899. It comes with a voice module, but the light saber is sold separately.

"A-" from the BBB

What Halloween Costumes has going for them that our top rated cosplay stores don't is that they're based in the US, not China. That means Halloween Costumes is held accountable with organizations like the Better Business Bureau, where they have an "A-" and a 4.7/5-star rating average. You'll also pay less for shipping (although some Chinese companies offer free shipping over a certain dollar amount) and it's less likely you'll run into shipping delays that could prevent your cosplay from getting to you in time for a special event.

Strict return policy

Halloween Costumes gives you 30 days from your order date to return your purchase. You can either opt for a site credit (called FunBuck$) or wait 2-4 weeks for a refund to the original payment method that incurs an 18% restocking fee. (Ouch!) To be eligible for a return, your costume needs to be unused and in its original packaging with all accessories. You'll need to include the packing slip and use a traceable shipping method. You're also responsible for the shipping costs. This is not the best return policy we've seen, but it's better than nothing.

Shipping starts at $6.99

Shipping prices depend on the combined weight of everything you have in your cart, but to give you a rough idea, when we tested an order to be shipped within the USA, we were looking at $6.99 for 4-6 business days, $8.99 for 3-5 days, and the option of paying $26.99 for delivery within one business day. Unlike other sites in this review, nothing here is made to order (as far as we could tell) so you don't need to include processing time when calculating how long it will be before your cosplay costume arrives.

Good customer service

Most people who have shopped at Halloween Costumes have great things to say about the customer service. One customer was sent the wrong item, and customer service not only replaced it, but also sent a voucher. Customers shopping for Halloween costumes say they really like the variety and size of the selection. There are few complaints about the quality of the costumes - they usually arrive as-pictured. We didn't find many reviews from cosplayers, however.

Not a cosplayer's first choice

Overall, Halloween Costumes does what it says on the tin: they supply both generic and character Halloween costumes, some of which might work for cosplayers. Pricing is fair, customer service does their job, and there's a chance you'll find a good deal in the clearance section. However, if you're a serious cosplayer, we'd probably recommend checking out one of the other websites on our list first.

On the Halloween Costumes website

Continued from above...

Where Can You Find the Best Cosplay Costume Stores?

If you've ever wanted to step into the shoes of your favorite superhero or anime character, cosplay costume stores can make those dreams a reality. These shops are for everyone - from convention-goers and trick-or-treaters to social media stars who've turned cosplay into a full-time gig. Yep, you heard that right - some TikTokers are actually making a living by donning spot-on costumes and entertaining millions of followers. (Pro tip: your lighting is just as important as the accuracy of your costume.)

These stores solve a bunch of problems for cosplay fans. Instead of spending weeks trying to craft that intricate armor set from scratch, you can order a ready-made version that looks like it jumped right out of the screen. It's a real time-saver, and let's face it, not all of us have the skills to DIY everything.

Now, not all cosplay shops are cut from the same cloth. Some focus on specific genres - think Superhero Central with more Spider-Man suits than you can shoot a web at. Others offer a bit of everything, from anime to video games to Disney princesses and beyond. You'll find budget-friendly options for those watching their wallet, as well as high-end replicas for the serious collectors or pros.

The level of customization can vary widely too. Some stores stick to standard sizes, while others will tailor-make your costume to fit like a glove. And the attention to detail? It can range from "pretty good" to "is that the actual movie prop?"

When you're shopping online for your next cosplay masterpiece, keep these things in mind:

Quality and accuracy. Check out the product photos and customer reviews. You want to make sure your Mandalorian armor actually looks like beskar, not painted cardboard. Real talk: a well-made, accurate costume can be the difference between "wow, can I take a picture with you?" and "uh, what are you supposed to be?"
Sizing and customization. Look for stores that offer custom sizing or alterations. Nobody wants a wardrobe malfunction mid-convention. A perfectly-fitting costume not only looks better but is way more likely to hold up during those long days of posing and mingling.
Shipping and returns. Make sure that awesome costume will arrive before your big event, and check what happens if it's not quite what you expected. Cosplay events wait for no one, and you don't want to be stuck with a dud costume.
Customer service. A responsive support team can be a lifesaver when you're trying to figure out if that bodysuit will fit your unique shape. Good customer service can make or break your shopping experience, especially when you're investing in a pricey costume.
Price vs. Value. Remember, the cheapest option isn't always the best deal in the long run. A higher-quality costume might cost more upfront, but it'll last longer and look better in those Instagram shots.

Top Consumer Reviews has checked out and ranked the best cosplay costume stores out there. We've looked at everything from product quality to customer service to help you find your perfect cosplay match. Whether you're a newbie or a seasoned nerd, we hope our reviews help you find the ideal store to bring your favorite characters to life - and who knows, maybe even launch your own cosplay career!

Halloween Costumes Review: Cosplay Stores

2026 Cosplay Store Reviews

Halloween Costumes

Where Can You Find the Best Cosplay Costume Stores?

Cosplay Store FAQ