The Best Costume Stores for Sketch Comedy in the DMV

Once you get involved with sketch comedy, your internet search history will become infinitely more weird. Trust me.

In the past several months, the Google searches related to sketches I was writing or involved in included:

Satanic holidays
Goblin lore and origins
Wines moms like
Where to get fake armpit hair

It can be difficult to find information on such obscure subjects. But sometimes the even more difficult part of sketch comedy can be finding the right costumes and props for sketches about such obscure subjects. While my sketch group, Deer Friends, relies on black t-shirts and jeans to pass as neutral costumes, sometimes we’ve just gotta have the right facial hair or silly hat to make a sketch character work.

So where do the best sketch writers in the DMV area go when they need a costume that will make their sketches pop?

Best Costume Stores for Sketch Comedy in the DMV

The 10 best sketch costume stores in the DMV

Check out this short list of local places you can go for all your weird props, shirts, pants, and headbands. All of these stores were recommended by DC-area sketch writers and performers and are listed in alphabetical order.

1. Amazon

I mean, what can’t you find on Amazon?

While it’s not a brick-and-mortar shop and it’s not local (yet), there’s no way you can miss the convenience and variety of Amazon when shopping for sketch essentials. Especially if you’re looking for something really niche—say, for example, a beard that you can cut up to pass as bushy armpit hair—you’ll probably have a better chance of finding it while roaming this retail giant’s virtual aisles. Plus, if you have a Prime account, it’s hard to pass up that free two-day shipping.

2. Buffalo Exchange

Address: 1318 14th St. NW, DC

Buffalo Exchange, DC — Buffalo Exchange is a local favorite for used clothing. (Source)

Drafthouse sketch writer and performer Shawn Logue recommends Buffalo Exchange for affordable vintage or used clothes.

3. Five Below

Address: 3100 14th St. NW, DC

Just try not to find something for sketch at Five Below (Source)

As a writer and performer with Dojo sketch group Deer Friends, I highly recommend perusing the Five Below in Columbia Heights. They often have seasonal accessories—like rabbit ears or elf hats—set up at the front of the store, but the whole shop is full of potential random (and affordable) props.

4. Meeps Vintage

Address: 2104 18th St. NW, DC

Bad Medicine writer and performer Isaiah Headen suggests heading over to Meeps Vintage in Adams Morgan. The store has a “costume room” specifically for anyone looking for quirky period pieces that are perfect for stage productions.

5. Michaels

Address: 5252 Wisconsin Ave. NW, DC (There are also locations in Alexandria, Arlington, and Silver Spring)

Michaels, Silver Spring — Make a pit stop at Chipotle before diving into craft supplies in Silver Spring (Source)

Sometimes your costume or prop just doesn’t exist yet, and you’ll find yourself in a DIY situation. If you need to get crafty, writer and performer Minki Kim thinks heading over to your local Michaels is your best bet. Maybe pick up a hot glue gun while you’re there. They come in handy for everything.

6. Montgomery County Thrift Shop

Address: 7125 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda, MD

Clothing rack at MoCo Thrift Shop — You know you could use this fringe skirt for something. (Source)

Writer and performer Eileen Haley suggests her favorite local option, Montgomery County Thrift Shop, as a great place to find vintage and gently used clothes and accessories. Plus, you can feel good about spending your money there since all profits are donated to Montgomery County charities.

7. Party City

Address: 5522 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA (multiple locations in the DMV area)

Mob wife costume — Imagine the characters you could write for this costume from Party City. (Source)

Writer and performer Minki Kim thinks Party City is great option for props and accessories. Especially if you have a birthday party scene, you’ll be set.

8. St. John’s Opportunity Shop

Address: 4504 Walsh St., Chevy Chase, MD

Clothing rack at the Opportunity Shop — This store is a sketch set in and of itself. (Source)

Eileen Haley has another nonprofit recommendation for us: St. John’s Opportunity Shop in Chevy Chase. In addition to used clothing and accessories, the Opp Shop also sells furniture, art, and kitchenware if you really need to deck out a set.

9. Total Party

Address: 1750 Crystal Dr., Arlington, VA

Just try to stop yourself from buying all of these masks. I dare you. (Source)

If you need party accessories, costumes, and “novelties,” Shawn Logue swears by Crystal City store Total Party. With a variety of products that follow various themes, holidays, and special occasions, you’re bound to find something you need here.

10. Urban Thrift

Address: 10730 Connecticut Ave., Kensington, MD

I don’t know about you, but I need everything pictured here. (Source)

Eileen Haley‘s last feel-good recommendation for your costume and prop needs is Urban Thrift. All their revenue supports The Arc Montgomery County Programs, so your purchase of that weird cowboy belt you’ve been searching for will go toward a good cause.

Time for a treasure hunt!

You know what they say about trash: Don’t throw it away because your weird sketch friend could probably find something to do with it.

Speaking of friends, don’t forget to hit up your buddies for any weird clothes and accessories they might have lying around. I’ve met sketch performers who have managed to gather accordions, antique microphones, and strange Christmas sweaters just by asking their friends if they could go through their junk drawers.

But if your friends don’t keep enough weird stuff to costume all your oddball characters, any of the stores we’ve mentioned is a safe bet.
If you do sketch comedy in the DMV area, let us know where you find all the weird things you bring onstage with you! Leave a comment or reach out on Facebook or Twitter. And if you’re on Instagram, send us a picture of the weirdest prop or costume you’ve ever shoehorned into a sketch.