Party Hero

Acting the Part

Pro
Pricing: From $40Category: Costume HireLocation: Sydney-wide

4.7 stars from 111 Google reviews

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Highlights

  • Costume hire from $40 plus a refundable bond, with most costumes between $50 and $65 and single pieces from $11
  • Walk-in store trading since 1987, with over 500 wigs available to hire or buy and washing facilities on site
  • Helium balloon bouquets, giant foil numbers and air-filled table centrepieces made up in store, helium included

About Acting the Part

Acting the Part has been dressing Sydney up since 1987, from a first-floor shop on Mobbs Lane in Carlingford. It is deliberately not an online store. The point is that you walk in, pull things off the rack and try them on before you commit, which is hard to do when a costume is coming to you in a post bag. The floor holds thousands of items, many of them unique to the shop, split between a rental collection and costumes for sale. The hire costumes are largely individually made, which is why the collection stretches to unusual sizes, uncommon characters and well-kept retro pieces. Around them sit more than 500 wigs to hire or buy, masquerade masks, hats, costume jewellery, makeup and SFX, and single garments you can combine into a look of your own. Shoes are the one thing not hired out, because they cannot be cleaned properly. The other half of the business is balloons: helium bouquets, loose helium balloons, giant foil numbers, bubble and printed latex balloons, and air-filled arrangements for gifts and table centrepieces, with the helium included in the price. Costume hire starts at $40 plus a refundable bond, most costumes sit between $50 and $65, mascot-style suits are $100 and individual pieces start at $11. The bond is $60 to $200 depending on what you take. A standard hire covers the weekend or two to three days midweek, with weekend outfits collected from Thursday and due back the following Tuesday, and longer hires arranged at a discounted extra rate. Cleaning is included in every rate. Book by phone or in person, or walk in and hire on the day.

Inclusions & amenities

Service

Costume HireParty Decorations

Budget

$$ (Average)

Pricing

Costume hire starts from $40 plus a refundable bond, and most costumes in the collection are between $50 and $65 to hire. Mascot-style costumes are $100. Individual clothing pieces and many accessories can be hired on their own from $11, with rates varying by item. Every hire rate includes cleaning. The refundable bond is $60 to $200 depending on the costume, and is returned when the costume comes back on time and undamaged. Extended hires beyond the standard period are charged at a discounted extra rate, and groups hiring multiple costumes for a performance can ask about free rehearsal or bump-in time. Balloons are priced separately, with helium bouquets from $27.10, or $29.90 with HiFloat long-life treatment, and the cost of the helium included.

Equipment & Service Details

Everything is hired from the shop itself, so there is no delivery or set-up: you collect in store and return in store during trading hours, which are Tuesday to Saturday. Identification showing your address is required for every hire, and is only used if a costume has to be chased up. A hire covers the costume plus its cleaning, and there are washing facilities on site so every item is cleaned each time it comes back. Accessories, wigs and single garments can be hired separately and combined with a costume or worn on their own; shoes are not hired. Hire stock stays the property of the shop and cannot be bought or kept, regardless of the bond paid. The refundable bond of $60 to $200 is an incentive to return costumes promptly and in good order rather than a replacement cost, and late fees may be taken out of it. Standard hire periods run over a weekend or two to three days midweek, with weekend costumes available from Thursday and due back the following Tuesday; longer hires can be arranged at a reduced extra rate. Balloon orders are made up in store, with helium included; balloons bought elsewhere cannot be filled, and helium tanks are not rented out.

Frequently asked questions

What is included when I hire a costume?

You get the costume itself and the cleaning, which is built into the hire rate rather than charged afterwards. Accessories and individual parts of costumes can be added and are priced separately, and wigs can be hired as well. Shoes are not hired out because they cannot be cleaned sufficiently.

How far ahead do I need to book?

You do not have to book. You can come in and hire a costume the same day as long as you bring identification showing your address. If you would rather be organised, you can book earlier and pick the costume up on a later date by visiting the store or calling.

How much does costume hire cost?

Costume hire starts from $40 plus a refundable bond, and the majority of costumes are priced between $50 and $65 to hire. Mascot-style costumes are $100 and individual clothing pieces start from $11. The refundable bond ranges from $60 to $200 depending on the costume you choose.

Where is the store and who travels there?

The shop is on the first floor at 5-7 Mobbs Lane, Carlingford, in Sydney's north west. Customers regularly drive in from the Hills District, Parramatta, greater western and north-western Sydney, the upper and lower north shore, the eastern suburbs, the northern beaches and inner-city suburbs.

How long is the hire period and when do I bring it back?

A hire generally runs over the weekend, or two to three days midweek. Weekend costumes can be picked up from Thursday onwards and are due back the following Tuesday. Extended hires are arranged at a discounted extra rate, and late fees may be deducted from your deposit if a costume comes back late.

Areas we service

Northern BeachesInner WestMacarthurSutherland ShireNorth ShoreEastern SuburbsSouth West SydneyHawkesburySouthern SydneyWestern SydneyHills DistrictSydney CBD & Surrounds

Suitable occasions

Shahnaz Adam

Shahnaz Adam

2 months ago

The lady was very welcoming and patience they have Quality and cheap stuff too. A good price range. U really recommend that place for school kids party or Halloween or any costume party 🥳🎉

Stephen Oehme

Stephen Oehme

5 months ago

The team here help us to 'Act the Part' but they are the real deal. I met 3 of the team over my pick up and return visits. They were super helpful, full of ideas and options. They also let me drop the items back late wit…

Dan O'Neill

Dan O'Neill

6 months ago

Had a great experience, better range than some of the bigger stores. Went in looking for a 1920s outfit, was presented with a great range of options and all reasonably priced. Will make this place my regular go to.

Adriana Pielak

Adriana Pielak

7 months ago

Wonderful experience! We got the most amazing matador costume for a Spanish themed party. We looked at lots of costume hire places and Acting The Part was by far the best we had been to! Amazing quality of costumes, lots…

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