Costume store wearing a big smile
The sevens party is coming and Hamilton costume stores are looking to capitalise on Wellington’s loss.
Monday’s announcement was good news for Top ‘N’ Tales, the claimed longest-running costume rental store in Hamilton.
The store is already popular with sevens attendees travelling south and owner Debee-May McCarthy, 21, is confident a Hamilton Sevens will bring in valuable out of town business.
‘‘It’s going to be interesting to see how many people come. Hamilton is going to take advantage of it, and I hope they take advantage of us too.’’
There are more than 3000 costume combinations on offer at Tops ‘N’ Tales, available from $20 to $70 a weekend hire.
‘‘Hamilton is so much fun, we’ve got everything going on. There’s always a 21st, a 40th, we’ve just had two book character days for Catholic schools.’’ Popular sevens outfits are easy, breezy, cute, and often acquired in groups.
‘‘Usually for the sevens we have the 1950s outfits, Grease, 80s’ sportswear … we’ve done a whole group of Flintstones.’’
The quickest to fly out the door on a sevens weekend are the Teletubbies, German beer festival costumes, and school uniforms from Australian soap-opera Home and Away. Mascot outfits, such as a large foam SpongebobSquarepants costume, are for the committed punters looking to stand out.
McCarthy offers basic costumes with minimal accessories that could break or go missing during the party. They put together package deals for groups, and will offer discounts, she said.
Customers also have to pay a higher bond for events like the sevens, due to its raucous party reputation. But that shouldn’t stop anyone from having a good time, McCarthy said. She tells customers not to stress about spilling a drink on their outfit.
The costumes are always returned, and only occasionally in tatters.