Have you decided what to be for Halloween this year? Party City is a one-stop costume shop for everyone in the family. There’s no need to break the bank trying to outfit everyone in a top quality costume. Party City Costume USA line’s selection stands out from mass-marketed versions of the same costumes because of their sturdy fabrics, attention to details and overall quality.
Are all Halloween costumes created equal? Let’s compare a few of the top costumes we received from the Costumes USA line with the mass-marketed versions of the same costume.
First up, we have our Policeman costumes #1 and #2.
Policeman costume #1 (the mass market version seen above) is a thin, one-piece jumpsuit whose best feature are the fake arm muscles. We found that the hat was too small to fit my son’s head and is not adjustable. The tie looks too short. Other than the hat, no accessories came with the costume.
Policeman costume #2 (Party City Costume USA version, above) is more like a real police officer’s uniform. There are 5 pieces to this costume that includes a separate top and bottom, an adjustable hat, belt with holster and a walkie-talkie. The shirt has great details like patches and badges. To me, this costume looks a lot better on my son and way more like a real-life policeman. He loves to play with the walkie talkie accessory that came with the costume. It fits on the holster and makes him feel official!
Next, we have our Firefighter costumes #1 and #2:
I like the look of this mass-market costume. It comes with a soft, flexible hat and the costume itself is a jumpsuit with suspenders worn under a fireman’s jacket. However, I had some issues trying to adjust the suspenders (they kept coming undone). Even though the coat velcroes shut, you are supposed to secure it with 3 clips. The 3 clips would definitely be too difficult for a child to put on and off by themselves. I had a hard time doing it myself.
Fireman costume #2 (Party City Costume USA version, above) was so much easier to get on and off than mass market version #1. The coat and pants are separates and don’t have any clips or suspenders to deal with. My son will be changing into his costume at school and needs to be able to get it on and off by himself. The easier the better! The fabric of this costume was heavier and better quality than the mass market version. The colors and detailing makes it look more like a real life firefighter outfit than the mass market version. The hard fireman hat is sold separately and is almost like a real fireman’s helmet! There’s even detailing on the back of the costume:
Knights and Crusaders costumes for boys can look totally different depending on the accessories. Party City Costume USA’s version of the Brave Crusader (pictured below) includes 8 pieces! You get the tunic, cape, boot covers, gloves, sash and hood. The little things like the boot covers and gloves really add to the realism of the costume. I like that you don’t have to buy all of those things separately so there is no tacked on extra costs.
The Crusader King (mass market version, below) is a good costume, but the details just don’t compare to the Brave Crusader costume shown above. This costume only comes with 3 pieces: tunic, hood with crown, and boot covers. It just doesn’t look as sharp as the Party City Costume USA version and the quality of construction isn’t as nice as the Brave Crusader. I didn’t really like the thin fake velvet fabric on this costume.
What follows is my little boy in a “girl” costume. He’s only one year old, though, so he doesn’t know the difference and he looked so cute I couldn’t resist posting the pictures!
I thought both the mass market and Party City Costume USA versions of the Peacock Costume were cute. I love the jewel tone colors in each costume. I didn’t notice a huge difference in fabric quality. Both were made out of velvety feeling fabric. The Party City costume uses glitter to add sparkle while the other uses sequins to add sparkle. One major difference is that the Party City USA peacock costume is 3 pieces that includes a hat, costume and a tunic to wear under the costume. I wish the mass market peacock costume included the tunic. It is a necessity to wear something under this costume. My son could only fit into the mass market version of this costumes because he was a little too big for the Party City costume we received.
Peacocks are more of a girly costume, but I have to admit it was hilarious watching my son run around the house dressed like a peacock! Party City Costume USA’s version of the peacock is absolutely adorable, too:
And now, for the adult costumes… For guys, we have the Zombie Groom. Both the Party City Costumes USA costume and the mass market costume were identical, down to the labels inside the coat jacket. Each costume comes with 3 pieces: tux jacket, dickie (shirt), and bowtie. Shop Party City USA for the lowest price on this costume!
The women’s costumes will come down to a matter of personal preference. Both costumes I received had the same theme (Egyptian Queen) and are great quality pieces. However, they have totally different looks. I first tried on Party City Costume USA’s “Queen of the Nile” costume and loved it. This 5 piece costume (shown on the photo below, right) comes with the dress, belt, gold cuffs and a wrap. It’s a very sexy-looking costume.
The mass market costume (shown on the photo below, left) is called Cleopatra. It comes complete with the dress, detachable cape, jeweled collar and belt. The jeweled collar is a very nice accessory that really makes the look of this queenly costume. My family liked me in this one the best.
So, are all Halloween costumes created equal? The answer is no, they are not. Find the best selection of high quality costumes for your family at Party City. You’ll enjoy the lowest prices on costumes and accessories, too! Party City has more than 750 stores nationwide and if you shop online, you’ll receive same day shipping with free & easy returns. You still have time to order your costume in time for Halloween this year…order today!
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