Buy or Rent a Carnival Costume? Comparing Cost and Convenience

With Halloween, carnival season or a themed party approaching, many people wonder: should you buy a costume or rent one? At first glance renting looks cheaper, but once you add up all the costs – the daily rental fee, the deposit, the trips to pick it up and return it – the result is often surprising. In this guide we compare both options by price, convenience and time, so you can decide which suits your celebration best.

How much does costume rental really cost?

Costume rental in Lithuania typically costs €15–25 per day. On top of that, you usually pay:

• A deposit – often €20–50, refunded only if you return the costume without defects.
• Extra accessories – a wig, hat or other add-ons are frequently rented separately.
• Two trips – you have to collect the costume and return it on time to a physical pick-up point. If you’re late, you pay for an extra day.
• Liability for stains and damage – after a good party, that’s not a theoretical question.

It also matters that rental shops operate only in the biggest cities, and at the peak of the season – from mid-October to January – some of them stop shipping costumes to other cities. If you live in Vilnius, Klaipėda, Šiauliai or a smaller town, renting a costume remotely in late October can be simply impossible.

How much does it cost to buy?

A new carnival costume usually costs €20–40, and kids’ costumes are often even cheaper. For a similar or only slightly higher price than a single rental day, you get a costume that:

• stays yours – it will come in handy again next year, or you can pass it on to friends or family;
• arrives at a parcel locker within 1–2 business days anywhere in Lithuania;
• requires no deposit, no return deadlines and no trips to a rental shop;
• can be customized – altered or topped up with accessories, because it’s yours.

Comparison: buying vs renting

When is renting still worth it?

The honest answer: renting makes sense when you need a very expensive or elaborate look for a single occasion – for example, a historical ball gown, a premium Santa Claus set with beard and boots, or a professional stage costume for a performance. Buying such costumes would cost hundreds of euros, so renting them for €20–30 is worth it.

But for a regular themed party, Halloween, a carnival at kindergarten or school, a bachelorette party or a birthday, buying almost always wins: the price is similar to one day’s rental, and the costume stays yours.

What to choose for the most common occasions?

• Halloween – Halloween costumes from witches to zombies: buy, because rental shops are picked clean by late October.
• Themed party – themed party looks (cowboys, the 90s, Hawaii, disco) cost less than two days of rental.
• Kids’ celebrations – kids’ costumes get used more than once: after the event they stay for playtime, and next year they go to brothers or sisters.
• Carnival or Mardi Gras (Užgavėnės) – all carnival costumes in one place, with accessories and decorations in the same cart.

Frequently asked questions

If I order online, will it arrive before my event?

Yes – all items are in our warehouse in Lithuania, so orders ship the same or the next business day and reach a parcel locker within 1–2 business days. Free delivery on orders over €49.

Costume rental in Vilnius, Klaipėda or Šiauliai – is there an alternative?

If your city has no rental shop, or costumes are picked clean during the season, buying a new costume online with delivery to a parcel locker is often faster and cheaper than travelling to another city.

What should I do with the costume after the event?

Keep it for the next occasion, pass it on to friends, or sell it on a classifieds site – a good-quality, barely worn costume easily finds a new owner. It’s more economical and more sustainable than it looks at first glance.