It won't hurt anyone to dress up when the holidays come around or when a fancy dress party pops up in your diary and you'd like to have fun just like the good old days. In this time and age, no detail is spared in costume manufacturing. Whereas up until a few years ago people used to go to a dressmaker to produce costumes, nowadays we have numerous shops which sell ready-made costumes.

If you have a theatrical activity like a television production or a school play and you wish to cut down on expenses, you can choose to hire rather than buy. In theatre, costumes play a crucial role and serve as essential sources of information which cannot be given the cold shoulder. The actors' attire in theatre reflects the historical era the play is set in and the characters' personality, while it can make all the difference in the overall feel that the theatrical set emanates.

Shops which sell costumes around the Maltese Islands are usually party shops, but there are also stationers who specialise in party decorations and props so you can buy all your party needs in one stop.

Most shops have costumes for all ages, genders and sizes, be it baby costumes, costumes for kids, teen costumes, adult costumes, costumes for girls or boys and plus size costumes. For a more fun experience with your family or friends, you may opt for matching outfits. Doing so can transform a simple party into a memorable dress-up occasion. What is sweeter than seeing matching costumes between mother and daughter or father and son? Couples costumes have also gained popularity. There are endless options of fictional and real-life couples who you can dress up of. If you're short of ideas, you can always visit the above shops in person or check out their online portfolios from the comfort of your home to get some inspiration. Alternatively, have a look at these 5 costume ideas for carnival and 5 Halloween costume ideas for you to try this year. Do enquire whether costumes are available all year round or whether seasonal costumes are kept in store.

There are various styles you can choose from, depending on your personality. If you want an eye-catching costume, an inflatable one would be a good option and the daring woman could choose a sexy one. If you're not into dressing up, you can always opt for a digital costume - a realistic flesh wound will still leave the right impression at a dress up party. Animal lovers can also choose to buy an outfit for their four-legged friends.

What themed costumes can you find at local stores?

Step into the shoes of your favourite character for that dress up occasion and dance the night away. From trending costumes to classic ones, costume shops have it all. Whether it's glamour or horror you're looking for, funny costumes or vintage ones, cosplay and anime costumes, morphsuits or piggyback costumes, the possibilities are endless.

Most common holiday outfits are Halloween, Christmas and Carnival costumes. Check out the shops around the island for some scary Halloween ensemble ideas such as witch, zombie, skeleton or vampire. You may also be able to find couples Halloween costumes. Dressing up children in angel costumes or as saints for All Saints Day, is also trending. In the Christmas season, you would be able to find some Santa suits and elf one perfect for that family party.

Some ideas from the vast spectrum of Carnival attire you can choose from include character costumes which are an all-time favourite. You can choose from a variety of classic or trending characters like Minnie Mouse, cowgirl, pirate or a clown, cartoon or movie characters, such as Harry Potter and Star wars, as well as superhero costumes, like Spiderman and Wonder Woman costumes, which kids and adults love.

Occupational costumes ranging from maid and nurse costumes to cop and soldier costumes are also popular. If you're more into historical and national attire, you can select for Egyptian, Greek, Medieval or Indian garments and even decade costumes, especially 80s and Hippie ones. If you want to deviate from the usual outfits, you can always go for an animal costume, or a fictional species like a mermaid, a unicorn or a fairy.

Are there any accessories available?

If you really want your ensemble to be flawless, then you must adorn some accessories. Even if you decide to create the garment yourself, visiting an outlet which sells accessories, will help you accomplish the final look you had in mind. Popular finishing touches include wigs, fake beards and moustaches, face and body paint, neon makeup and coloured hair spray. Props like tiaras, wands, guns, hats, feather boas and matching shoes are also sought-after as they can make all the difference between a likeable costume and a mediocre one. What's a cheerleader without pom-poms or a Halloween suit without fangs, fake wounds, coloured contact lenses and scary masks? Adding accessories will surely fulfil your ideal look.