By DCist Contributor Stephanie Taylor

Halloween is fast approaching, and because the scariest day of the year was inconsiderate enough to fall mid-week this year, much of the drunken pin the rib on the skeleton madness begins next weekend.

But the District has very few true costume shops. If you've sorted through your closet and still haven't found a winner for this year's costume, we thought we'd offer a few suggestions as to where to dig up something suitable.

Backstage Inc.
Costume Studio on Capitol Hill closed its doors roughly two Halloweens ago, making Backstage Inc., also on the Hill near Eastern Market, the only year-round costume shop inside D.C. city limits. Backstage has more than 2,000 rental costumes, most of which are "period" costumes ranging from the Grecian toga all the way up to the 70s. Rentals range between $30 and $200 (a leather Darth Vader set-up complete with a voice box mask) and are for the weekend prior to the holiday. For an extra $5-20, you can rent through Halloween night. The store also sells those tacky costumes in a bag (standard fare such as a devil, pirate, etc., and the more adventurous kissing booth, tic tacs not included), boas, face paint, wigs and masks. There's an elephant mask for sale, complete with a red, white and blue sailor's hat. For those who refuse to say good-bye to the boy wizard phenomenon, there's the Dobby mask.
545 8th Street SE
(202) 544-5744

Photo from inside Backstage Inc. by Stephanie Taylor

Seasonal Stores
Every October, specialty shops open usually just for the month to sell the usual scary goods and costumes in a bag, such as Halloween Adventure. They’re useful for accessories and face paint, but again, costumes in a bag are usually of poor quality and not likely to be re-used.
3519 Connecticut Ave NW
(202) 537-6734

Thrift Stores
The Remix has supplies for your “I love the 80s” outfit, Elvis jumpsuits, TVland inspired characters, as well as anything vintage and costume jewelry, etc. Prices range from $20-$150.
645 Pennsylvania Ave SE
(202) 547-0211

Meeps & Aunt Neensie’s Vintage start their official Halloween display today, and carry decade-specific gems for both women and men, including 70s fare and clothing inspired by the wild, wild West. They also stock boas, wigs, hats, funny teeth, a lonely skeleton jumpsuit, and a couple of masks that are “really scary and ugly.” Vintage goods range from $18-$60, new items such as false teeth range from $6-$25, and a wig will set you back $20-$25.
2104 18th St. NW
(202) 265-6546

Annie Cream Cheese in Georgetown carries the usual flapper, hippies and 80s ware, but also has 50s-inspired clothing for anyone who gets a fright from the Donna Reed decade. They do not carry wigs, but have a range of other accessories. The average Halloween costume/accessory might go for anywhere from $9-32, to upwards.
3279 M Street NW
(202) 298-5555

The L & N Superthrift Store at has a range of masks starting at $10.
1830 14th St NW
(202) 588-0020

Outside D.C.
For those willing to venture outside D.C. limits, there are more traditional costume shops not too far away.

Costumes Creative has more than 15,000 costumes to choose from, priced anywhere between $80-300. Pricier than most, but you can pick up your costume now and don’t have to return it until Nov. 5, after you have recovered from your goblins’ brew. They have more than a 100 wigs as well. “It’s a short cab ride” from the Forest Glen metro. But everything they have is online, so check out the URL before you make the hike. (The Web site also has costume ideas for those still brainstorming for the big weekend.)
9168 Brookville Road, Silver Spring
(301) 587-6275

Hollywood East Costumes is right next to the Rockville metro station and has between 7 and 8,000 adult rental costumes to choose from, ranging from $50-75 for a 3-day rental. Bagged costumes are only for children.
493 S. Stonestreet Ave., Rockville
(301) 424-2687

Master’s is a chain, but the closest is not too far away. Rentals starts at $45, and for-sale costumes start at $35. Their goods range from Renaissance to the 1950s to furry animal costumes. They have the usual range of accessories for sale.
3840 S. Four Mile Run Drive, Arlington
(703) 820-8880

If you don’t have time to check out any of these stores, you can always go as a tourist -– complete with fanny pack, FBI hat, and “I heart DC” shirt. Now that’s scary, and also readily available on any NW street corner.