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Thrifty Costumes
updated: Oct 25, 2012, 4:21 PM

By Edhat Subscriber

As our kids get older, they are becoming more and more creative with their costume ideas. This year I am on the hunt for archery gear/clothing for my daughter who wants to be Katniss from the Hunger Games. Typically I'd go to one or two of our Goleta thrift stores (intentionally unnamed) but last Halloween I found that they were very expensive. What thrift stores have a good selection without (almost) retail prices?

Comments in order of when they were received | (reverse order)

COMMENT 335636P	2012-10-25 04:29 PM
You might try Play It Again Sports at Turnpike & Hollister. They sell used sporting equipment.
COMMENT 335655P	2012-10-25 05:32 PM
The police state we live in really frowns on having real weapons carried around during Halloween (even by kids). Ahh I miss the old days when kids could be kids where being responsible was more important than being "protected". So just make a costume one - cut a branch and tie a string to it. I made 100's of bows as a kid. Side note - best thrift store for price is magnolia in goleta (next to lassens/ralphs)
COMMENT 335665	2012-10-25 05:49 PM
The "thrift stores" have become laughable when it comes to their pricing. Even the one in Magnolia.....they want $1.35 for old magazines. Much of what they have ought to be just hauled to the dump. I can buy new shirts at Costco or K-Mart for less than Alpha tries to sell their used ones for. I don't even bother to go in there much anymore. What's the point? I certainly understand about supporting their good causes...but I can't help but think that they'd bring in a lot more $$$ if their prices really were genuine bargains.
COMMENT 335670	2012-10-25 06:05 PM
The thrift store at corner of Bath and Carrillo seems to have reasonable prices and a large selection of "stuff". I might encourage my kids to make their own bow and arrows - that's what Katniss would do :) The arrows could be made from long wooden dowls (try Michaels, a hardware store, or maybe a Garden Center).
REXOFSB	2012-10-25 07:43 PM
Just stay away from Alpha. Some of their prices are actually higher than retail.
COMMENT 335696	2012-10-25 07:48 PM
Assistance League.
COMMENT 335761P	2012-10-26 05:01 AM
665 has it right. "Good Will" is the shop on Carrillo & Bath. Their prices are somewhat okay. Don't think they'd have much of a selection as far as your specific needs go, however.
COMMENT 335778	2012-10-26 06:58 AM
Make your own bow and arrow, spray it silver (if you want it to be like the one in the arena). Make sure she wears her hair in the side braid (you tube "how to do katniss hair") if she doesn't know how. Then all she needs is cargo pants, a belted black jacket, and possibly combat-style boots, and an orange backpack... the braid, bow and arrow, black clothes and backpack will make it obvious!
COMMENT 335780	2012-10-26 07:04 AM
Check out squidoo and put in hunger-games-costumes-katniss. (I can't put the link because I'm not a paying member.) It's really going to depend on which "outfit" your daughter wants to go with...I am a thrift shopper and generally stick to Magnolia (and have been really lucky when looking for something like a leather jacket for a costume). BUT, it's a little late in the game!! And, for Katniss I think you might do better hitting the stores like Styles for Less or Susie's Deals. I am also a competitive target archer...getting a bow that looks anything like Katniss's would be impossible at a thrift store...I'd say you should get a plastic kid's (toy) bow that is the right shape and then paint it black and do some leather wrapping on your own. Then make the dowel/feather "fake" arrows for a quiver on the back so that no one can say that she is carrying a real weapon...a toy bow without arrows doesn't do much!
COMMENT 335788	2012-10-26 07:27 AM
Magnolia thriftstore don't do the alpha thrift on hollister they are overpriced and rude someone should investigate.
FLICKA	2012-10-26 07:46 AM
Assistance League, off Las Positas, is a great place. Also, good prices at St. Joseph's in Carpinteria, across the parking lot from the church. I would guess some places pay really high rent, hence, high prices. Ventura on main has a wonderful selection of Thrift stores; also, the Rescue Mission in Oxnard is huge, with good bargins. I don't buy new stuff!
COMMENT 335798P	2012-10-26 07:59 AM
Here's another vote for Play it Again. Have you tried craigslist? Or a local archery club or recreation center that holds archery classes, etc? Agree that Alpha is generally overpriced - especially their furniture!!
LEAHKING	2012-10-26 08:18 AM
carpinteria has several good thrift stores, if you feel like taking a little drive down here. ventura even better.
COMMENT 335804	2012-10-26 08:35 AM
Alpha has some good stuff, but as stated, those prices are sky high.
COMMENT 335819	2012-10-26 09:08 AM
The Alpha thrift stores this year are PACKED with Halloween - the one on Hollister and Kellogg really has a selection.
COMMENT 335837P	2012-10-26 09:32 AM
Also an Alpha on Milpas now. Good costume selection. I can't imagine that stuff really reaches SB's retail prices?! Anyhow, the money goes to a good cause instead of into some CEOs' coffers.

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