Costume Closet relaunches with new name, hours

Looking for a fun, inventive-yet- thrifty costume this Halloween? I think as college students we would all agree that spending $100+ on something we will never wear again is not economically smart. Nebraska Wesleyan University’s theatre department costume shop is a solution to this costly dilemma.

The Costume Closet has reopened this school year with a new name (it was formerly the Costume Library), a new logo and updated policies, procedures and prices.

The Costume Closet hopes to increase campus awareness of their incredible resource this year. There are over 40,000 different items in their inventory. Not only are these costumes available to NWU students, but the public can purchase them as well. The Costume Closet wardrobes entire plays for not only NWU, but for high schools and other colleges as well.

Costume rental prices will vary depending on what you are looking for. The Costume Closet can help you put together the costume you are looking for, or you can browse through their hefty selection.

For the general public, a complete costume is $42.00 (includes a top, bottom and two accessories, or a dress and two accessories). NWU students and faculty are fortunate enough to get a discount. For example a student could get a pre-1990s dress (1940s, 1950s, 1960s) for only $16! Tops or pants are only $8. For a men’s tux or sports jacket, it is $10, add a hat for $8 and have a complete costume! The costumes require an up-front deposit equal to the amount of the rental. When the costume is returned, the full deposit will be given back, as long as it is in the previous condition. Dry cleaning is included in the rental fee.

The normal rental period is two weeks, but The Costume Closet is offering a Halloween special this month. If you rent a costume during October, you can get a free rental extension until Friday, Nov. 7. The Costume Closet is open Monday-Friday from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. and is located in the basement of the McDonald Theatre Building.

So if you want a creative Halloween costume this year without racking up debt, why not try renting one? It would be a fun, different, economical way to go! On the plus side of renting, it won’t hang in your closet and you can get a different one next year. The Costume Closet also has many different accessories and props which are great for themed parties or shows.