Mon 9am-4pm/6pm-8pm. Fri 9am-4pm. Sat 9am-5pm. | Call us: (01799) 551 182

General

What does The Costume Company offer?
We offer hundreds of high quality and unique fancy dress and vintage costumes, accessories and props to hire for adults and children. We stock party makeup and have 'Dressing Up Hampers' to hire for weddings, parties and photo booths!

Where are you based?
Hampit House, Hampit Road, Arkesden, CB11 4HJ.
We are 15 minutes from Saffron Walden, 25 minutes from Bishops Stortford, 25 minutes from Royston and 40 minutes from Cambridge.

Directions by car:
We are situated in a rural location in the lovely village of Arkesden. When you arrive in the centre of Arkesden, you will find The Axe and Compasses pub. With the pub on your left, continue along this road towards Duddenhoe End which turns into Hampit Road. After 1/3 mile we are the second last house on the right. There are 2 signs at the top of the drive, please proceed down to the house and park in the drive - the shop is located on the left!

What are your opening hours?
We are 'By Appointment Only' - please call or email to make an appointment

Monday: 9–4 & 6-8
Friday: 9–4
Saturday: 9–5


How do I get an appointment?
Please call/email us
Tel 01799 551182
Email: info@thecostumeco.co.uk

What is your premises like?
Our premises is clean, modern and bright. We have a large changing room and parking onsite. It has been described as an Aladdin's Cave!

About Our Costumes

What sorts of costumes do you have?
We have hundreds of high quality fancy dress and vintage costumes and accessories for adults and children as follows:

– Romans, Greeks & Egyptian
- Vikings, Warriors & Medieval
- Victorians & Edwardians
- Pirates
- Military Uniforms
- Goodwood Revival
- Decades 1920-1990
- Film, TV and Book characters
- Around The World Costumes - Chinese, Indian, Wild West, Oktoberfest, Spanish, Arabian and Hawaiian
- Seasonal - Christmas, Burns Night and Oktoberfest
- Halloween/Day of the Dead
- Children’s historical costumes
- Evening & cocktail dresses
- Coats, cloaks and fur
- Accessories and props including hats, bags, shoes, boots, glasses and jewellery.

What are the costumes suitable for?
Our costumes are suitable for fancy dress parties, historical events for adults and children, drama groups, promotional events, murder mysteries, theatre and pantomimes, weddings and balls.

Can I mix and match items?
Our costumes are only a guide to what works together and you are more than welcome to mix and match to make your own unique costume.

Do you have military uniforms?
We have military uniforms for RAF, Army and Royal Navy, especially popular for The Goodwood Revival and 1940's events.

Do you have costumes for children?
We have children's costumes for history days - Greeks, Romans, Victorians, Vikings and WWII. Our 'Dressing Up Hamper' is popular for children's/teen parties.

Can you alter costumes? We do alterations such as taking up trousers, hems, adjusting straps, sleeves and waistbands to ensure the costumes fit correctly and flatter. Please ensure that you give us adequate time to carry out alterations.

Hiring a Costume

What if I want to hire a costume?
You can call us/email in the first instance to discuss your costume requirements and to make an appointment.

How much is the hire charge?
Our hire charge for a complete costume depends on the type of costume and number of accessories. Prices range from £20-50 for adults and £10-20 for children. Single items can be hired too. Laundry of the costume is included in the hire charge.

How long is the hire period?
Our typical hire is 4/5 day period. Longer hire periods are available for theatre and drama groups. We will arrange collection/return times with you in person.

How and when do I pay?
In full on collection. We accept cash and cards.

What if I don’t return the costume on time?
A further charge may be made if the costume is not returned on time. Please contact us if you are not able to return on the agreed date.

What if I need to cancel my order?
You may cancel your order however we ask that you please let us know as soon as possible and a £10 administration charge will be payable per costume.

What happens if a costume is damaged or lost?
Once the costume leaves our premise, it become the responsibility of the hirer. If a costume is damaged when returned, please let us know so that we can repair them. There will be a charge if the damage is irreparable and the costume has to be replaced. If an item is lost, you will be charged for a replacement.

Do you arrange transport for the costumes?
We can organise transport for a costume, either locally or further afield at your expense.

Do you send costumes to customers ?
We are happy to provide a mail order service within the UK for costume hire.