Did you hear the story about that one time that Batman was directing traffic at a Starkville public school? How about when MSU’s Bully Mascot dressed up in a deluxe Captain America outfit for a football game?
Unforgettable events like these were all created with the help of Starkville’s premiere costume store, aptly named, Costume Party. The 13-year-old business resides in the College Park Shopping Center on Russell Street and is well seasoned in the art of creating more than costumes, they’re creating memories.

Calling Costume Party just another Halloween store would be a huge understatement. Not only do they offer custom costumes for one person or a whole theatre troupe, but they also specialize in authentic vintage outfitting, fictional characters, decades fashion ranging from the 1920s-1990s, and as a year round shop offer options for every occasion and holiday! Costume Party is setting the bar higher and higher each year and stays an integral part of Starkville’s community.
IF THE COSTUME FITS, WEAR IT!
Costume Party has witnessed the evolution of the city for over a decade and has indeed formed bonds within the community. The store has provided costuming for local & regional schools, various organizations within Mississippi State University and the Starkville Community Theatre.
Their most recent collaboration was with Dr. Donna Clevinger and the MSU Honors students for their production of Prometheus Bound. The collaboration between a local Starkville shop and the university is critical in the success of the costuming.
“As part of Costume Party’s costuming services, we attend the dress rehearsal to evaluate the costumes on the actors, observe how the costumes will move with the actor’s individual performance and adjust costumes accordingly,” says the owner, Constance Wilsey.
Costume Party advocates sustainable fashion as part of their business practice and frequently repurposes, reuses, and upcycles pieces from their vintage collection to be rented as authentic period pieces, or sold as vintage statement clothing and costume looks.

With such a vast array of costumes, Costume Party recommends visiting in-store as much of their stock is not pictured on their website and inventory changes regularly.
COSTUME PARTY AND THE PARTNERSHIP
Costume Party joined The Partnership as soon as they opened back in 2008. Creating a strong mutually beneficial relationship has been a priority for both parties since their beginning.

“We love [being] a part of local events and have our costumes represented,” said Wilsey.
Costume Party has been a long-time supporter of the Partnership providing costuming for different community events and has even costumed some of GDSP staff. The Partnership’s Starkville business directory provided for Costume Party has brought in many customers to not only the physical store but for online customers across the United States.
SUPPORTING STARKVILLE
Since 2008, Costume Party has made it a priority to give back to the community it serves. In addition to regularly providing local organizations donations and discounts, during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, Costume Party donated face masks across Starkville. They also spent their Easter holiday dressed up in one of their Easter Bunny costumes hopping through multiple Starkville neighborhoods to visit kids.

Costume Party finds fulfillment in creating a memory for its customers. If you’ve ever visited the store, you’ve definitely seen the big pink television set broadcasting a slideshow of Costume Party’s customers in their costumes.
“It is such a pleasure to see our return customers over the years and to know we helped them create a special memory with a costume,” said Constance.
DRESS FOR SUCCESS WITH COSTUME PARTY
During the month of October, Costume Party is open every day. Store Hours will vary from season to season, so stay up to date by following their social media pages or calling the shop at 662-323-9771.
The store is located on 100 Russell Street Suite #9 in College Park Shopping Center.
Follow their social media accounts for updates on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Visit their website to shop online or explore different in-store options: https://www.costumepartyms.com/
Email: contact@costumepartyms.com