Anybody else already getting panicked texts from friends worried about their Halloween ensemble? Never fear. Or do, actually. Scary things and pressure to find the right costume are what this holiday is all about, after all. The District is rather lacking in both chain costume shops and craft stores, but that doesn’t mean you’re stuck ordering something off Amazon and hoping it fits. Here are our best bets for costume shopping this time of year.

(Photo by Ted Eytan)

SUBURBAN COSTUME SHOPS The loss of Backstage in Eastern Market was a big blow for car-less costume seekers in the District. If you’re looking for a specialty costume/party/Halloween store, it’s going to involve getting outside D.C.’s borders.

For rentals, professional make-up, and other things you won’t find elsewhere: If you take Halloween very seriously, the American Backstage Company is your place. This theatrical retailer does this all year round, so they know their stuff inside and out—and it extends way beyond costumes to intricate accessories and professional grade make-up. They even offer rentals, many of which are unique to the store.

American Backstage Company is located at 5380 Eisenhower Avenue in Alexandria.

For 3-in-1: Out in Falls Church, there’s a Halloween Spirit, Party City, and Party Depot all located down the block from one another. Other locations of all three can be found throughout the Maryland and Virginia suburbs, but try this strip if you’re trying to maximize options.

For Metro-accessibility: Just around the block from the Blue and Yellow line’s Crystal City Metro stop is the specialty Halloween store Total Fright. In the day’s leading up until Halloween, they even have late-night hours.

Total Fright is located at 1750 Crystal Drive (Store D-40) in Arlington.

THRIFT STORES: I’ve said it once, I’ll say it again: D.C. lacks a good place to find decades-old duds at decades-old prices. Still, there’s more than enough thrift stores around to cobble together a Halloween ensemble. Here’s our picks.

For a traditional thrift store in the city: Most of the big shops (see Value Village below) involve a drive. But if that’s not in the cards, take the bus up to the fun-to-say Quackenbos Street, where you’ll find the still decently sized Georgia Avenue Thrift.

Georgia Avenue Thrift is located at 6101 Georgia Avenue NW

For trend-seekers: Hip reseller Buffalo Exchange is busy dreaming up on-trend costumes around this time of year. Check out what they have on display, or peruse their blog post full of ideas online and see if you can find similar options in store.

Buffalo Exchange is located at 1318 14th Street NW

For vintage threads: Meeps in Adams Morgan is jam-packed with vintage offerings you’ll probably want to wear the other 364 days a year. For the particularly costume-like, head to their back room, which is stuffed full of get-ups and accessories from years past.

Meeps is located at 2104 18th Street NW

For everything: Come Halloween, this chain offers the best of both the thrift store and costume shop worlds. There’s the regular stock of who-knows-what-you’ll-find clothes (it is my go-to thrift store in the area), as well as a section of brand-new costumes, wigs, and other accoutrements that comes out each fall as the holiday approaches. To maximize your finds, head to the Value Village in Silver Spring, which is connected to another thrift store from the same company, Unique Thrift.

Value Village and Unique Thrift are located at 10141 New Hampshire Ave in Silver Spring

BIG BOX RETAILERS: The selection won’t be huge, but the city’s three Wal-marts (Fort Totten, H Street, and Brightwood) and one Target (in Columbia Heights) will do in a pinch.

DIY: Head up to Michaels, near the Friendship Heights Metro station, for easy access to most craft supplies known to mankind. There’s also Artist & Craftsman Supply in Brentwood, a smaller store that has more of a focus on fine art supplies but still plenty of materials for do-it-yourself projects.

Michaels is located at 5252 Wisconsin Avenue NW and Artist & Craftsman Supply is located at 1201-1203 Brentwood Road NE