“Help! Where do I find a 1940s dress for my scene!”
We hear this question all the time in the Costume Shop. While you may not have such a dress in your personal wardrobe, you may find something suitable at a local THRIFT SHOP. A thrift shop is the perfect place to find inexpensive men and women’s clothing from present day up to 20 years old, sometimes even older. You may not find the exact time period accurate piece for your rehearsals but you will find garments that give the feeling of the character perhaps more than your personal wardrobe can provide.
All actors should have the following basic items in their rehearsal clothing collection:
Men
Hard Soled Dress Shoes
Button Front Dress Shirt
Dress Pants
Suit Jacket
Vest
Hat with Full Brim
Women
Character Shoes (or a simple medium heeled pump)
Full Length Skirt
Knee Length Skirt
Corset (an inexpensive corset with plastic bones will do)
Shawl
Below please find a list of our most favorite THRIFT SHOPS:
CANAL JEANS
2236 Nostrand Ave, Brooklyn
1 Block from Campus!
UNIQUE THRIFT STORES
408 Fulton Mall, Brooklyn
GOODWILL
258 Livingston Street, Brooklyn
RE/DRESS
Women’s Plus Sized Thrift Shop
109 Boerum Place, Brooklyn
SALVATION ARMY (1/2 price Wednesdays)
46th Street, NYC
Between 11th and 12 Aves
If you need information on a specific time period you may make an appointment with the Costume Shop and we will be happy to show you some examples from our library.
