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A.C.T. Costume Shop
Category: Shopping Arts & Crafts Costumes Costumes
1119 Market StSan Francisco, CA 94108
Neighborhoods: Civic Center/Tenderloin, SOMA
(415) 439-2379
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
11 reviews for A.C.T. Costume Shop
11 reviews in English
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Review from Rebecca M.
Oakland, CA
11/28/2011
I rented an authentic 19th century Victorian Ladies dress for the Charles Dickens Christmas Festival this past week. Perfect fit and lovely! I received so many compliments and really felt part of the festival. I danced the waltz and Polka. :)!!! My gentleman was adorned in a top hat, tails, vest, and cravat. Handsome. The ACT staff was easy going but straight shooters on the cost, rental agreement (you break it you replace it) and they want you to look and become the character. Extra time and stitching was spent on accessorizing my all black petticoat with Christmas holly on my red bonnet and a silky red sash. WARNING! The rental shop is located on Market between 7th-8th. I HIGHLY recommend taking BART to Civic Center and popping in and out of ACT in a flash. I made the mistake of driving my car, parking legally but my fitting appt went over by 15 minutes (no big deal since they were creating my look and I appreciated their attention to detail). SF and Parking is no joke and the $500 in towing fees I had to pay was not cute. Seriously...that's what I got hit with. No matter, I am not tainted. ACT is awesome! They deserve 5 stars...now, can I YELP a negative star to SF municipal services. Make an appt for a fitting and a drop off. I will rent from them again.
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Review from Robin H.
San Francisco, CA
11/10/2011
The SUBWAY POSTERS: Surprising selection of costumes and affordable rates even days before Halloween! Amongst the hustle and bustle of the season, the staff at A.C.T. will cordially come to your rescue.
The FINAL ACT: Being notoriously nonchalant during this time of year, I discover A.C.T. just a few days before Halloween. Rentals are by appointment only, so I figured... this would be a very customized, yet costly costume fitting. But what did I have to lose?
I entered the store, I found that half my assumption as accurate. There are hundreds if not thousands of pieces on the racks. The gentleman who helped me was Valentine, who was very cordial guy and he's got a great eye for style. He hooked me up with a medieval tunic and feathered cap, which I strategically paired up with jeans and sneakers. "So what'll this cost me?", I asked Valentine. Turns out, under $50 bucks for a week's rental. Not too shabby ;)
The modern retelling of Sir Robin Hood of Loxley helped me win 2nd prize in costume contest! Booyah! =D The return was a simple drop off. Great experience renting from A.C.T.! -
Review from Marilynne M.
San Francisco, CA
10/25/2011
The A.C.T. Costume Shop, and it's people are as good as it gets! Time and again they have pulled out costume after costume, each more beautiful than the last, and the accessories are equally divine. Hats, shoes, jewelry...lots of period baubles. And with the expert tailoring they provide, this is a deal that just can't be surpassed.
Of course, having a week to wear your beautiful finery makes this an even better deal, especially in this town, which always appreciates creative self-expression. An even better deal for subscribers, give the Costume Shop a whirl, and not just for Halloween. There's always a reason to play dress-up in San Francisco! BRAVO A.C.T. Costume Shop!!! -
Review from Katy D.
Oakland, CA
Updated - 2/22/2011
I lost an earring, one of a pair that you might find for a few dollars at a flea market. This was not something you could easily replace. The A.C.T. people were mellow and clear about their replacement policy: Find the earring or be charged for it. I couldn't find it. Without delivering a guilt trip, A.C.T. charged $20 to my credit card and sent me a receipt with a simple explanation.
I think this was a fair and reasonable response. Here's another 5 star rating for being treated fairly and reasonably.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/2/2010
5 stars because of accessibility and convenience. Where else can you rent such a variety of… Read more »
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Review from Eric S.
San Francisco, CA
10/29/2010
I finally know where to go to get the best costumes. This place is the secret to success for many people in SF. They only take customers by appointment, but it's worth it. You get a custom consultation, fittings, and an amazing costume.
You should have an idea of what you want to do before going in there. However, they will always help figure out something that looks good. They don't like you leaving without you looking your best! -
Review from Stephan W.
San Francisco, CA
11/25/2008 1 photo
When I was little, my mom used to make me some excellent costumes at haloweentime. One year, she made a lion head for me out of paper-mache, with gold shag carpeting for a mane.
Unfortunately of late my own personal costume creativity has been seriously lacking. Either I come up with ideas too late (November first at 10 a.m.), or I have good ideas and fail to execute them. (sharks with frickin-laser-beams, but couldn't find a powerful enough laser.)
So this year, when a chance came along to put on a costume, I thought I would get some professional help.
the ACT costume shop is huge. they warehouse most (if not all) of the costumes that ACT has used in its decades of productions, and you can rent a custom getup out of all this stock.
here's how it goes: call up and make a reservation for a fitting. they do everything by reservation here. show up, and have some idea of what you'd like to look like when you're done. they'll go pull a bunch of stuff from the basement warehouse and you can try until you're satisfied.
through some miracle, they pulled clothes for me that fit, so no alterations were necessary - but they will do alterations.
at around $140 for the weeks rental, they're not super cheap -- but when you consider that you're getting a professional costume to wear, that has alterations, dry cleaning, and whatever accessories (including in my case shoes!) you need to complete the look, it starts to not feel too bad.
of course, now i have less of an excuse for not dressing up. -
Review from Molly G.
San Francisco, CA
10/19/2011
This place is leaps and bounds above other costume rental shops. Some of their clothes are bit old but man are they authentic. The people were friendly and the process was easy. They make sure the costume is clean and ready to go . .. they even do alterations to make sure it fits properly. If you have a really special party or a play this is the place to go. They have so much stuff and they go the extra mile to make sure you are satisfied. Love!
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Review from Khristopher P.
Oakland, CA
12/14/2010
Everyone in the Bay Area should be getting their costumes from ACT. The employees are funny and interactive. They have so much to choose from that I was overwhelmed but in a good way.
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Review from Maus M.
Richmond, CA
1/4/2011
OK, Wedding in late Victorian dress. Like that's in everyone's closet...it is here. After pricing out several costumes shops, I was recommended by a friend who does Edwardian Ball to check them out. After a custom costume fitting which took about 1.5 hours and several tries(not every assistant knows what your looking for or where to find it), They found the perfect dress. Then gloves, hat and bustle...I supplied the half-boots. Thankfully, not much restoration or alterations needed to be done so it was ready with a short period of time. Dress was a huge hit and after I saw what some other girls had paid for custom made dresses, I'm a huge fan of ACT. Why not 5 stars? When I went to pick-up my accessories were not all there, dress smelled a little weird, and wine stain was still there, but not very noticeable thankfully.
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Review from Rosa M.
Alameda, CA
6/23/2011 5 photos
Went in and worked with "Kelly" for a show my daughter's is in, Korczak's Children.. I was AMAZED at how they work. They had researched the play, they knew the play and characters. I watched them fit 3 other actors, going back numerous times until the costumes were....PERFECT. I am speechless. Don't waste your time anywhere else. Kelly has been there 20 years!!! She is a wealth of knowledge. Wow. ACT is AMAZING!
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Review from Nick A.
Manhattan, NY
7/2/2008 1 photo
My company hosted a masquerade gala. Of COURSE I had to go all out and bust out a crazy glittery French revolutiony costume. This place isn't a professional costume shop -- it's a theater company -- but everyone there is very gracious and nice and helpful. It's located on a grimy stretch of Market St, and they'll buzz you into the building. You undress in the curtained-off fitting area and the staff will ask you what you want and structure an entire outfit around you. They spent like 45 minutes patiently constructing the perfect look. Most of the really impressive costumes were $300 for a week. Pricey, but after having gone to two other traditional costume shops in the city and having the owners roll their eyes at my desire to look like a flaming Louis IV, I was ready to plonk down some cash. Also, it was for...erm, work...right? Career development? The costumes, while not in mint condition, are real, well-constructed clothing. My period costume was made of a gorgeous magenta silk that I'm sure nothing sold in a plastic bag on a rack would contain. I ended up causing a bit of a sensation at the ball, and owe it all to these folks.
