Photo by Tracy Lee.

No, you cannot be Balloon Boy.

Seriously.

That said, I’m sure that there are more than a few of you with full slates planned for the 31st. Similarly, there’s probably a large percentage of you who have put absolutely zero thought into proper attire for said evening. This is about as unacceptable as giving people a twelve-pack of gum from Walmart for the holidays because you just simply forgot that folks all over the planet tend to exchange gifts in the month of December. Remember: partying on Halloween is a privilege, not a right. Nowhere in the Constitution, religious texts, or any sort of transcription of anyone of particular import is the divine right that you are allowed to simply party it up without dressing yourself in garb appropriate for All Hallow’s Eve.

And besides, I see you people in your normal clothes all the damn time. Give me my fun.

Of course, the common problem of concocting, purchasing, and/or crafting a costume still exists. A discussion of an only somewhat tangentially related (the location of this incredibly bitchin’ Halloween storefront) topic led to the DCist staff to wonder: where are some good costume shops for those of us that prefer one-stop masquerade shopping?

Here’s but three suggestions for those that are thinking about aimlessly wandering around Target on October 30th:

>> The costume shop in said photo? It’s Backstage Inc., the costume/theater shop at 545 8th Street SE in Barracks Row near the Shakespeare Theatre Company. It’s probably your first and last stop when it comes to renting or buying a totally awesome getup for Halloween.
>> We hear good things about Masters Costumes on Four Mile Run in Arlington: they usually has a good selection of full costumes and any varied accoutrement which you might need. [Ed. Note: Make that we heard good things; Masters apparently closed earlier this year.]
>> Of course, it’s hard to beat thrift stores, which usually work for those with a creative idea on a budget.

Commentariat: feel free to share your favorite places to grab garb for Halloween. (And hey, if you want to share what you’ll be wearing, color us curious. As long as it’s not Falcon Heene.)