CLIPBOARD : Dress For Success

Shopping for Halloween costumes at a thrift shop can be an adventure. For the most part it is the luck of the draw because recycled clothing comes in and goes out in a matter of days. But with a little imagination, an innovative costume can be put together faster than you can say “abracadabra” and for less than the retail cost of bat wings and lizard lips.

Here’s a list of places where you can strike a costume bargain:

ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OF TUSTIN

445 El Camino Real, Tustin

(714) 544-2612

Hours: 1 to 3:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday

Cost: $1 and up

What’s available: Mostly items for women and children. There are a few masks and hats, Batman costumes and clothes that can be turned into costumes.

BARGAIN BOX

(ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OF HUNTINGTON BEACH)

16582 Gothard St., Huntington Beach

(714) 847-6511

Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday

Cost: $2 to $20

What’s available: Items for men, women and children. Ethnic costumes, Madonna, Elvira, mermaid, Count Dracula and old-fashioned dresses (Staff can assist in putting together a costume).

BETWEEN FRIENDS

140 E. Main St., Tustin

(714) 838-6773

Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday

Cost: $5 to $50

What’s available: Items for men, women and children. Barmaid, witch, vampire, old-fashioned bathing suits for men and women, Raggedy Ann, rock star, military wear and hospital greens. The shop also has a catalogue with 100 costumes and accessories from which to choose; special orders can be filled in two days.

DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS THRIFT STORE

9892 Westminster Ave., Garden Grove

(714) 636-2400

Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday; 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Cost: $1 to $9

What’s available: Costumes for men, women and children. Masks, hats, wigs, costume jewelry; witch, rabbit, some ethnic costumes, formals, martial arts and military costumes.

JANET LEE SHOPS

2007 S. Main St., Santa Ana

(714) 545-0900

Hours: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday

Cost: $3 to $10

What’s available: Items for men, women and children. Fairy princess, clown, Sesame Street’s Cookie Monster, Dracula and convict costumes.

LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES THRIFT SHOPS

23532 El Toro Road, El Toro

(714) 768-0405

Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Saturday

Cost: $1 to $40

What’s available: Items for men, women and a few for children. No commercial costumes, though there are period clothes from the 1920s, ‘30s and ‘40s as well as Asian, doctor and peasant costumes.

LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES THRIFT SHOPS

12900 Main St., Garden Grove

(714) 537-1373

Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday

Cost: $2 to $30

What’s available: Items for men, women and children. Kimonos, military uniforms, French maid complete with bustier and garters, bear costumes, period clothing from the 1950s and ‘60s, and wigs.

NEW DIRECTIONS THRIFT SHOP

600 W. 19th St., Costa Mesa

(714) 548-9927

Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday-Saturday

Cost: $3 to $12

What’s available: Items for men and women. Wigs, period clothing, graduates, flappers, military, clown, doctor and nurse costumes.

OLDE’N NEW

145 E. 19th St., Costa Mesa

(714) 646-1569

Hours: noon to 7 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday

Cost: $2 to $25

What’s available: Items for men, women and children. Unusual costumes, wigs, noses, hats, handmade exotic, sequined, jeweled masks; bear, clown and rabbit costumes.

SALVATION ARMY THRIFT STORE

7138 Westminster Blvd., Westminster

(714) 898-6281

Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday

Cost: 50 cents to $5

What’s available: Items for men, women and children. Mr. Potato Head, Hawaiian, pirate and princess costumes; hats, shoes, vests and wigs. (There are nine other Salvation Army Thrift Store locations throughout Orange County.)

THRIFT VILLAGE THRIFT STORE

9782 Garden Grove Blvd., Garden Grove

(714) 638-4163

Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday

Cost: $1 and up

What’s available: Items for men, women and children. Alf, ducktails, hats, wigs and ethnic costumes.

TICKTOCKER THRIFT SHOP

(NATIONAL CHARITY LEAGUE)

540 W. 19th St., Costa Mesa

(714) 646-4024

Hours: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday

Cost: $2 to $8

What’s available: Items for men, women and children. Ethnic costumes, pirates, some period clothes, wigs and masks.

Source: individual stores