EVERETT– Ages pass easily at Vintage Costumers—you can pass through a few centuries in just as many aisles, after all. The store is cloaked wall-to-wall with vintage costumes, accessories and props, each adorned with handwritten tags, a backstory and fashion characteristic of its era. Vintage Costumers is not a typical costume store; rather than focus on specific characters, the store focuses on providing era-accurate attire and historical fantasy ensembles. They have a few character costumes (Dorothy, Glinda, Captain Hook, Captain Jack Sparrow, Zorro), but they are far outnumbered by elaborate beaded flapper dresses, antique shoes and decorative battle armors with no particular name attached.
“Our period costumes are not mass-manufactured – we fabricate most of them here – and are therefore ‘one-of-a-kind’. We also include all period-appropriate accessories as part of the rental package price, which means that customers don’t have to be ‘up-sold’ or left on their own to complete their look,” Owner Cyd Hand says.
Nothing is for sale at Vintage Costumers. Hand says the store exclusively rents its costumes to keep their selection well-stocked and prices reasonable. That, and some pieces hold sentimental value. “Vintage Clothing” opened in 1976, a quirky boutique in Seattle located at the corner of Roosevelt Ave & 65th. Founder Gloria Hoefflin moved up the road and rebranded to Vintage Costumers around the time that murder mystery parties and adult Halloween parties came in vogue during the 80s. Folks needed a costume for a single night and Hoefflin provided them. Hoefflin’s long-time boyfriend, Arnold “Arnie” Grossinger managed renovations and helped out with day-to-day operations. Hand began doing costume repairs for the store in 1996. Hoefflin died in 1999 after a yearlong battle with cancer. Grossinger and Hand kept the store alive in her absence.
“Neither Arnie nor myself had any other thought but to continue with and grow the enterprise. We both loved what we did. My life partner of 24 years passed in 2013 and Arnie and I decided to live together. It was a natural choice as we had been best friends and business partners for so long. We married shortly before he passed away in 2024 at the age of 79. He was still coming into the shop a week before he left me,” Hand reflected.
Vintage Costumers moved to Everett nine years ago, in 2017, when their Seattle location was demolished to make room for incoming housing developments. Hand says the transition has been a peaceful one. The Colby Avenue location sees a steady flow of local filmmakers, theater enthusiasts, adoring locals and costume-curious clientele– particularly during the Halloween and winter seasons.
“The customers who come into our shop looking for period historical costumes typically are hoping to re-enact a particular era that evokes an age of romanticism, gallantry, wealth, optimism and good times,” Hand says. Extravagant, meticulously detailed outfits are a draw, but so are period-accurate suits and shoes.
Expertise came with age and practice; Hand says that she “failed miserably” sewing in 9th grade Home Economics.
“Practice and experience over time have taught me better techniques. Patience helps too,” She remarks.
Now, she constructs elaborate outfits, adorning them with ornate embroidery and embellishments. Hundreds, if not thousands of vintage costumes have passed through her hands. Some lesser-rented pieces eventually find their way into an annual sale during the second week of August.
Hand has no plans of stopping anytime soon. Her part-timer keeps her up to date with new technology so she can continue to maintain their historical and fantastical fashions.
Vintage Costumers is located at 2101 Colby Ave. in Everett. You can peruse their selection online here or visit the store in person to admire their expansive lineup. For the upcoming busy season, the store opens at 11 a.m. every day and closes at 7 p.m. on weekdays and at 6 p.m. on weekends. It is closed on Tuesdays.