If you've ever driven down Bristol Street in Santa Ana between Warner and Edinger, you've likely noticed the subtle pink building called Rental Bootique. Customers have come to this tiny store since 1985 for authentic-looking outfits that resemble something borrowed from an Cecil B. DeMille spectacular. The large inventory of period costumes is impressive: Viking armor, zoot suits, beaded flapper dresses, Victorian, Pink Lady, mariachi, even Aztec warrior. There are variations of every type of look, so no two Cleopatra costumes will be the same.
Owner Vicky Gaon has run the shop since 1992, after her parents, the original owners, left it in her care. Formerly renting out dress gowns, evening wear and costumes, Gaon decided to deal only in costumes and changed the spelling from Boutique to Bootique. But while Halloween is obviously the busiest time of the year, people come in regularly looking for suitable attire for conventions, themed parties, school projects, even student films.
Each costume is handmade from scratch or repurposed from old clothes Gaon finds at yard sales, thrift stores, donations, etc. Bringing new life to an old piece of clothing is what Gaon takes pleasure in the most “because you're recycling and bringing something back that was going bye-bye or filling a landfill,” she says. “People don't want it or see the potential, and you do, so you bring it back to life and give it a second chance.”
So if you're hunting for that Marie Antoinette gown, or you've always wanted to be a Renaissance maiden for Halloween, Rental Bootique is for you—and it carries accessories and costumes altered for free at your convenience, too. For a complete and updated glance at what's available, check out its online catalog or stop by in person.
Rental Bootique, 2227 S. Bristol St., Santa Ana, (714) 241-0907; www.rentalbootique.com.
Aimee Murillo is calendar editor and frequently covers film and previously contributed to the OCW’s long-running fashion column, Trendzilla. Don’t ask her what her favorite movie is unless you want to hear her lengthy defense of Showgirls.
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