Costumes By Margie

Costumes by Margie is the WORST costume store I have ever been in. The customer service was horrible, the employees didn’t want to work, and I will NEVER go there again…

My first time here and I met a friend who is a regular. I was looking for something to wear for a 20s themed party. It was more than I expected (experience wise) I got fitted and options were brought out for me to try on. Wish there were more in the plus department but made due with what they had. I’d go back for props and such.

Costumes by Margie, you are adorable! Big thanks to fellow Unilocaler Tiffany B for introducing me to this business via her review. Now, I just want to throw a party in Margie’s! We’re talking hundreds upon hundreds of costumes — some for purchase and others for rental. Makeup, wigs, masks, accessories, you name it.
Heads up — its in a slightly rough spot of town but I think that adds to my attraction. A gem in the midst of what can be a chaotic area. The girl who helped me was extremely insightful and took her time to help me find the best dog costume to fit my needs. Can’t wait for my next excuse to dress up.

To some extent, when I review a business in Indy, I am reviewing it against its competition. That’s tough when it comes to Margie’s because its only real competition, Landes Costumes, recently closed. As a result, Indy has all of it’s costume eggs in Margie’s basket and that’s alright with me.
A critique first, I have received a mixed reception when calling. I few months back I called to ask a few questions about getting a costume for my fiancé for a surprise date. I just wanted to get an idea if they had something that might fit what I was looking for. Whoever happened to answer the phone that day absolutely would not entertain my questions and kept repeating that my fiancé would just have to come in (which won’t work for the surprise costume date). I gave up and I was a bit perturbed. I was surprised because I have rented several times from Margies over the past 10 years and the staff have been nothing but helpful. Perhaps the lesson is that you’re much better coming in to the shop than trying to shop over the phone.
I called again a few weeks ago asking for a very specific costume and the lady I spoke with was very helpful and while she said she couldn’t guarantee anything without my actual sizes, we walked through all the pieces I needed, she did some checking and told me she thought they should be able to meet my needs. I showed up the next day and the owner and her assistant were just great! We used the internet to check our costume options against the character I was trying to emulate and I tried on a variety of different pieces before we all agreed that we had hit the nail on the head. The whole process took well over an hour and I figured the multi-​piece costume I was renting was going to cost me. Nope! I was surprised at the low cost (~$ 35 total) for my costume. All of the time alone they spent outfitting me was worth more than that! I already had a few pieces for my costume and I brought them in as well. I felt a little weird doing that (like bringing your own food into a restaurant), but they were completely fine with it and encouraged me to try on my whole outfit at once.
I am very happy with Margie’s service and with the costume I ended up with. I looked great and this was way easier than trolling ebay, craigslist and secondhand stores for all the parts for a one-​time costume.

In a bind for a GenCon costume, because there’s nothing more fun than waiting until last minute, I started to PANIC. I didn’t even have time to grab a towel and not panic.
I needed red elbow length gloves for a Molotov costume from Venture Brothers and unfortunately dye doesn’t work on polyester. I was left with pink gloves and my costume dreams shattered.
Then. A LIGHT. A light that is Costumes By Margie. They offered to put the last pair of gloves on hold for me and I am the happiest about to dress up as a cartoon character this side of the galaxy.

I just went in here on my way home from school to check things out. Parking is a little hard to find. I don’t think I have a whole lot to add onto other’s people’s reviews, to be honest! Like others have said, they had a very helpful staff that was very focused on one customer at a time and a very large collection if costumes. They also have changing rooms there.
Their wig collection is not the most high quality of materials, nor is it very extensive, but they do have rather cheap ones for costume parties and they do sell styrofoam wig heads there! They also let you try on wigs (new, from the packaging — not gross ones other people have had on). Besides being a little too expensive for someone on a budget and the lacking selection of wigs, it’s super cool and also very helpful for others!

Fantastic service with a really nice staff. I came in at the last minute and they helped me as best as they could. They weren’t able to find anything in my size, but due to the courtesy and kindness of the staff I definitely plan to take my business here whenever I can.

The ladies at Margie’s were extremely helpful and creative when I needed a Village People Indian costume. They were able to mix and match pieces to customize exactly what I needed. I highly recommend them!

Unlike another Indianapolis costume shop I shall not name, the staff here is incredibly friendly and helpful and went the extra mile to try to accommodate my costuming needs. Also noticed that if I ever need any expensive crowns or headgear of some kind, this is where to go. I wanted an ostrich feather for my hair, they had those too. I wanted to dress up as Uncle Sam, they had it covered. Costumes representing 100+ years ago, yep, that too! And on hairpin turnaround time. Grateful we have places like this in Indy, and I think there need to be lots more opportunities for dress up! Who’s with me?

Bought pre-​packaged costume for a promotion. $ 50 for a size XL that barely fit a staff member who was average build and 5’9″, had a missing glove, and ripped nearly 10 inches up the seam after 10 minutes of wear. According to the kind folks over at the store, «Sorry, all sales are final.»

My experience almost mirror’s Jon A.‘s — I called for a last-​minute fox mask. And they have one! But… I’m so lazy, I don’t want to drive a whole 5 miles and find out that I don’t even like it! Solution: the lady who answered the phone took a picture of the mask and texted it to me! Winner!
You just KNOW that 5 days before Halloween they are probably pulling their hair out from inane questions and non-​stop costume orders, but they took the care and time and genuine interest in me, a little ‘ol phone-​in who was only interested in a -$ 10 mask!
Gotta Love Local!

«Heyyy uhhhh, you got any really big safety pins?» «Yeah, stop on in!» Whoa, okay. So, I stop in, and they do indeed have huge safety pins, but too big for my cape. Instead, the owner gave me tips of how to tie my cape. Um, that’s some fashionable humanity. So, I needed a gangster-​style costume. I had a vision in my mind: stark pinstripes, red tie, vest, giant lapels, gun holster and cuff-​links. Um, they had exactly what I was looking for. On hand and on the spot they made it happen. Totally willing to adjust anything I needed, too. Multiple sizes. Life advice, and costumes! All in one. Steady service. Attention to CC privacy where they tear off all record of your CC number and give it to you when you return their goods. Well organized, too!

One of Indy’s biggest locally owned costume shops. Last time I went in, the lady informed me that many of their rental costumes would barely fit me – and I’m a small lady! Wonder what’s going on with that. There are a few adult costumes sold up front – especially the piecemeal type.
Accessories are their forte. I did walk away with two tooth lacquers – one black, one gold – that visit. They also have a good variety of custom-​fit Bubba teeth. Makeup, wigs, and masks, too.