I have ventured into this store many times to hire costumes for my children. They have a great…read moreselection of costumes for a hire shop in the suburbs. They cater for just about anything and have quite a few costumes of similar things for the busy times like halloween and book week. The shop is quite large and the costumes are fairly easy to find. Like most costume shops they have a book of photos of people wearing the different outfits so you can see what they look like on, this saves a lot of time and I suggest you start here. Dress up parties are always good fun and being in the store is like a fun afternoon out. Even if you aren't having a party or looking for a costume the atmosphere is entertaining with different people trying on clothes and displaying themselves confidently or meekly to family and friends. The staff are always helpful in an unassuming kind of way. It has always fascinated me that the people that work in the store aren't more outgoing or theatrical. However, they know their costumes and all the different accessories that go with them. If you don't want to hire a complete costume, which can be a little pricey; you can always just buy a few wigs or other paraphernalia to help trick up existing clothes.

I'm hesitant to use the word ghetto but the block of shops that this shop is in looks rough as…read moreguts. Graffiti, hard looking blokes sucking on fags out the front while leaning against their Holden's, punks kids loitering on the corner giving you the stink eye... the creepy location isn't helped by the clowns laughing dementedly on their front window... But when you hesitantly open the door to this place you're welcomed by a couple of lovely ladies mad keen to get you dolled up just right. They'll flick through the book with you, recommend the perfect look, and shoo you into the change rooms. I pawed through the racks of seventies gowns and found a rather divine dress to wear to my costume party, but then wussed out at the last minute because it's going to be too darn hot to wear. But this place is packed with cool dresses and costumes and the service is just lovely dahling. Just don't loiter out front unless you're looking for trouble.

I found this little, but jammed packed full of goodies, gem of a shop thanks to the yellow pages…read more Loved the service and advice and the fact as busy as the ladies were they still had time for a few kind words for my two bored youngsters. Didn't have the ghetto feel at all outside just a little run down and unloved building. If you are in the neighbourhood looking for a costume, well worth the look.

Bonnie Wigs are better than you and they don't need your business. At least that's the vibe you get…read morefrom the stony faced hair merchants who judge you from behind their counter. Wigs are expensive but these really aren't wigs for dress ups (aside from the Northern wall) these wigs, like Bonnie's staff, are serious. If you've a condition that has caused you to lose your hair, are a woman trapped in a man's body, have had an awful hair cut, or your natural hair won't let you be the blonde you want to be, then Bonnie's has what you want. The wigs are high end, and if well maintained, will last forever. As the hair primarily on offer is natural, you can style it, and the staff may sachet down from their lofty heights to point out useful information about your chosen coiffure. You can buy gift certificates from here, which I have done in the past and tried on wigs (unassisted) with the intent of actually purchasing. Don't expect to get any better treatment as a customer, you're not worthy of their time or interest. At least they're consistent.

This is a beautiful shop to look at, especially if you're a fan of fancy and formal dress. They…read moresell a great selection of women's wigs (with a few men's wigs hiding around), from long to short, with all natural colours and styles and some party colours. The shop assistants ignore you unless you seem serious about actually buying a wig for a specific purpose. It is unsurprising that they're sick of people coming in to play with their expensive wigs. Wig prices start at around $100 and go up to the $300 mark for long wigs. They also stock a large range of jewelry, mostly glitzy and colourful. My favourite pieces in here are the masks. They have some beautiful Italian painted masks, as well as some rarer wire masks that are almost wire lace, they're so delicate and gorgeous. This is another one of those places to come in to drool on pretty, sparkly things, knowing that a reason to buy anything will rarely come along.

This boutique is one of my all time favorite shops in Adelaide. Yes it is pricey, but there are…read moresome brands in here that I love, Custo Barcelona being one of them. The name of this multi-level shop originates from its history being a Chinese import shop in its heyday. It now stocks trendy clothing for men & women as well as accessories. Club goers rejoice! Be sure to bring your credit card! Style does not come cheap.

23/12/2011 If there's one thing that turns on a…read moresophisticated Aussie gentleman like me is a hot girl, with a hot body, in a sexy hot dress. Miss Gladys Sym Choon provided that for me. A sexy girl in a sexy dress is a certainty to be spotted at least once in a visit to Rundle Mall, Adelaide. Come here on any given weekday and you'll believe me. It's only a matter of time before you suddenly turn your head towards that girl's direction...I remember an American businessman friend of mine that told me, "When I visited Australia for the first time, and I saw how beautiful Aussie women were, I knew it was highly likely that I could get into trouble. And I'm married." This isn't an understatement. I've fallen victim to the lure of Aussie women several times before. I especially loved the music that was playing. It's hard not to like a store when they have a playlist of a Sade song, followed by 'World Tour' by 'A Tribe Called Quest'. Frilly at the top, and skimpy and tight around the waist and legs. The prices are higher than usual, and you can get far classier dresses for a lower price. Miss Gladys Sym Choon still deserves a lot of credit for its designs from the Malaysian designer. Although designs can be simple and of one bright colour (my top two colours from this store are bright red or metallic black), there are other items on offer, and you've gotta appreciate that they've allocated a generous section for menswear too. Though not the best on prices, Miss Gladys Sym Choon do dresses very, very well. It was funny, because once I asked the shop assistant for a sexy dress, he was on fire and picked out five different colours without any hesitation! The other girls downstairs saw what was happening and they laughed when I said, "She's tryin', I'm buyin!'" LOL For those of us blokes who randomly suddenly get a testosterone hit while shopping, Miss Gladys Sym Choon will cause your jaws to drop. Thank you so much. The best way to end my day. I left there thinking, "Damn girl, you looked sexy in those tight dresses. Sexy, sexy, sexy." This store, like the Sade song, "gave me a kiss of life."

As a Norwood local (in between jaunts across the high seas - yes I'm a sea captain*), The Parade is…read moremy "high street" and I'm super fond of it. What's not to love? It has a million** Italian cafes where you can get your authentic coffee/ canolli combo happening, a bunch of little local businesses with hearts of gold, movies, a smattering of chain stores, as well as places to get food and other essentials quick smart. As for being "fancy", as the Parade is sometimes called, I don't know know what's so fancy about it. Sure, there's no "I just got up and look this hipstery" vibe to it, but nowhere in Adelaide really does, does it? And yes, you will see lots of cashed up 4WD driving mums, but hey, you'll also see dirt bag freelancers drinking coffee and reading Moby Dick and eating breakfast at 3pm and hanging out talking about Parks and Recreation***. It's got it all! *I'm not really a sea captain......yet **there aren't quite a million.....yet ***yes, this is me and my friends.

So soothing. I really like coming here on a bad day, even if all the girls are dressed in boutique…read moreclothing and I always feel frumpy. It's shady, you can shop for whatever you like from clothing to books to homewares... or you can sit down at one of the many cafe/restaurants along the strip and feast your afternoon away. Apparently the Foodland here is the most reasonably priced one in SA, although this is Norwood we're talking about so it's debateable. Not only that, there is a Hoyts Cinema complex, so much easier than Marion, more cosy, and from what I understand, If you park in the underneath parking for your movie, you can get you ticket stamped and it's free, yay!

The Theatre Costume Shop has been around for a long time. It has stood strong against other costume…read morestores in Adelaide as they really offer more quality and unique options. When I need a costume, I go here. I know that I will find everything I need here, from makeup, wigs, props to SFX. When you have a look through the costumes for hire you will notice that majority of them are a lot higher quality than other stores. I think that is because most of them are hand made and not cheap versions imported. They are more of a quality for theatre as the name of the store suggests. They do of course offer costumes that you can buy to keep which are made in china and will probably last a couple of wears. What I prefer is the costumes for hrie that have a little more attention to detail. If you are like me, and you love SFX, you will find all you need here from liquid latex, synwax, sealer, gels, theatre grade blood and crazy contact lenses. The prices vary upon quality of product. But I think they are quite decent. If you are in need of a wig, there are a lot to choose to hire or buy. The ones for hire are really high quality and look amazing! The last thing to mention is that the staff here are just so awesome and pumped about life. They are always dressed up when you visit the store. What a fun job! They are really knowledgeable when it comes to SFX, stage makeup & paints. If you have a theme or idea in mind for your costume, you can call ahead to see if they stock what you are after. Great customer services!

This would be easily the best destination for you if you are looking for face paint, body paint,…read moremake up for theatre or film and all the bits and bobs you need to create a character for clowning or a show - including a drag act or magic show. It is certainly the most comprehensive business in the city for that sort of thing. Additional to that they have a wide range of costumes available for hire at pretty reasonable rates - that is after all, their main stream of business, costume hire. You can get all the favourites from Easter Bunny to Santa as well as your Harry Potter outfits or even soldiers of a variety of styles, old school first world war and even some second world war types. I was once in a position where I had to wear a Nazi uniform on stage and the costume was hired here. The staff are usually really helpful and they have all the patience in the world. They will help you make decisions, but it is usually best if you have an idea of what you want when you go in so you are not spending too much time trying to figure it out on your feet and on their time. If you stand in the store and just look you will be there all day unless you have an idea of what you want - and most of the time they will have something pretty close if not the exact thing.

Attitudes boutique has been in Glenelg for sometime now and has a very loyal following. The staff…read moreare professional and friendly. It stocks a lot of brands such as Mink Pink and Ladakh. The clothing is fairly diverse and caters for a range of budgets. You can buy a casual outfit right through to a dress for formal. They often have a sales rack out the front to attract customers inside but don't forget to look down the back near the change rooms as there is usually another sales rack hidden there. They also have a good selection of accessories to complete your outfit.

Attitudes has broken my friend's heart several times. She keeps finding dresses in here that she…read moreLOVES but then can't justify the cost of them. I desperately wish she'd just find something on the sales rack, or stop dragging us in here! The shop has a large selection of styles, from very casual beach wear up to formal dresses. Their range is quite eclectic, and changes often. When this place is busy, it's a little overwhelming. There are women speaking loudly from all angles, and the shop assistants are very flamboyant, which can be quite fun. I often try to sneak in here for a quiet browse, but if it's busy I don't bother. Though, the sales racks are always worth a look, even if you have to elbow your way in to see them.

Melbourne label Gorman have recently set up shop in Adelaide, and it's a perfect down to earth…read morealternative to complement the flashier side of label-loving Rundle Street. Artisan, colourful and more exotic than my own wardrobe, while Gorman isn't my exact cup of tea and I haven't bought a lot in the store - it does have the occasional piece I adore (those leopard pony skin boots from last season!) and is definitely worth a visit. The vibe is homespun eclectica: wood, earthy trinkets with pops of bright colours. Lots of African prints and quality fabrics, sweeping rather than body conscious cuts. It's grown up, intelligent quirk: the Frankie girls eat this stuff up. As well as the main line they offer and organics range and a friggen sweet selection of shoes. It's a lovely, spacious store that invites you in - an atmosphere strengthened by the friendly and helpful (though not intrusive) sales staff. Gorman is also committed to sustainable fashion and production processes, which makes them a winner in my book.

I come to Gorman to look, not touch, and certainly not to buy. Unless I win the lottery, now…read morewouldn't that be nice. I genuinely like their clothing, but I wouldn't necessarily wear all of it, it's a little too haute-couture meets Ken Done for me. I still admire all the fabulously made and organic clothing available to people. Exclusivity sucks, unless you're the one who can afford to be exclusive. I seriously would save up for half a year in order to buy a pair of shoes here, buy 10 pairs and then be known as the girl who lives in a dumpster with amazing shoes. Their shoes are simply beautiful, and I recommend checking them out for hot dates, parties, comfy leather work platforms or wedges. Beware: once in, you may find yourself with a serious case of new lottery dream items.