Conscious Costume is proud to provide low cost, accessible, easily available, and eco-friendly costume rentals and resales to theatres, films, and performers, with emphasis on community membership and collaboration.
Rentals
Pull your own costumes at our location in Chicago or have us pull and ship your costumes.
While we welcome all creators, Circle Members get access to special discounts and benefits.
Hours
Monday 3:00 - 6:00 PM
Check social media for closures
Tuesday - Sunday Appointment Only
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Pricing is flat rate for 8 weeks, get 2 extra weeks free as a member!
Additional weeks will be prorated. We’ll work with your budget to find the right rental rate for your project.
Most costumes are available for purchase also at 3x the rental rate.
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Assorted Historic 18th century and earlier
Early 20th Century COMING SOON!
1940s COMING SOON!
1950s COMING SOON!
1970s COMING SOON!
These photos are only a sampling of what we have and our stock is continually growing and evolving, please contact us to find out what is currently available.
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How to rent sustainable costumes in Chicago:
Please review our rental policies prior to your appointment, you will be required to sign the agreement prior to removing costumes from our premises.
Member agreement:
Standard rental period is 10 weeks, additional weeks will be prorated.
Payments are due 14 days after final invoice is sent.
All garments must be laundered and repaired as needed before they are returned or you will be charged for the labor and costs of this work being completed by Conscious Costume.
Alterations and cosmetic or function changes do not need to be restored.
Pending availability, you may return additional costumes in addition to what you’ve rented, please give us a courtesy heads up so we can prepare space. We are not currently offering discounts for donations.
Non-Member agreement:
Standard rental period is 8 weeks, additional weeks will be prorated.
Payments are due 14 days after final invoice is sent.
All garments must be laundered and repaired as needed before they are returned or you will be charged for the labor and costs of this work being completed by Conscious Costume.
Alterations do not need to be restored.
Pending availability, you may return additional costumes in addition to what you’ve rented, please give us a courtesy heads up so we can prepare space.
There is a $5 processing fee for any invoice total below $20.
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Our stock is located in ICNC Make City, in collaboration with the AIBI Fashion Lab at 2021 W Fulton St (Suite K-111) here in the near west side of Chicago. The closest intersection is Damen and Fulton. When you arrive, please use the door for 2031 W Fulton. That is the door closest to the Fashion Lab. There is a call box next to the door, which will let us buzz you in. Our door is at the end of the loading dock.
If you cannot find us, call the AIBI office number and be sure to mention that you are calling for Conscious Costume: 312-836-1041 (please contact us via email for rental questions, likely the person answering the phone is AIBI staff and does not know what is available in stock).
*We strongly encourage all attendees to have been fully vaccinated OR to have had a negative COVID test within 72 hours of attending this in person event. Masks are also encouraged.*
By Public Transit - There is a bus stop (#50) a block north, at the corner of Damon and Caroll, or take the Green Line to Damen
By Car - AIBI can be reached:
From 290: Exit at Damen, and go north 8 blocks (past the United Center).
From 90: Exit at Division, and go west on Division almost 1 mile. Then turn south on Damen for 1 mile to Fulton Ave.
FREE Parking is available on the street, but it can be quite busy.
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The location has no stairs to get from parking to our stock and there are ramps available from street to sidewalk height. The interior floor is somewhat uneven and there are areas where passage between equipment is narrow. There are not electric doors but we are happy to come open doors for you, please let us know when you call us or book your appointment.
While Conscious Costume does not use any fragranced cleaning products, we do not know what products our donors and clients may use.
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Our stock includes secondhand costumes rescued from companies all over the Mid West and Mid Atlantic regions including The Goodman, Steppenwolf, Troika, The Hypocrites, and designer’s private collections.
Conscious Costume rentals in Chicago will work with your budget, and your needs to see your full vision come to life. We would rather our costumes be used than stored to facilitate theatre costume reuse and sustainable costume sourcing. Please inquire about opportunities to remove capitalism from your costume acquisition.