Scare up kids' Halloween costumes at a witches' brew of local shops

When I was five, I dressed up as a majorette for Halloween. The costume had it all: pompoms on the tall white rubber boots, a hat with tassels, a spangled red-and-yellow mini dress and -- best of all -- a baton. I have no idea where my mom got it, but photos show that I was thrilled with it.

Well, I've got a little goblin of my own now, and shopping for costumes has taken on a new joy. Last year, my little miss wasn't quite a year old yet, so I found a used one-piece ladybug costume at Value Village that she tolerated for about a minute before trying to pull it off. This year, though, she's very clear that she wants to go as a princess, and asks to wear her pink frilly dress on a daily basis.

Here's a roundup of some local kids stores that carry new and used costumes for a hauntingly happy Halloween.

Buggy
On our first visit to Beacon Hill's Buggy, my princess and I ooh'd and ahh'd over their fabulous selection of costumes ($4-$20), including a bee, an elephant, a clown and a racecar driver. With exotic paper masks from Zid Zid ($12) and fluffy reversible tutus (from $48), Buggy makes me wish I were a kid again.

Georgia Blu
If you're on the hunt for new costumes, Georgia Blu in West Seattle carries adorable one-piece monsters, horses, pumpkins, cats and dinosaurs from Le Top for $46 to $50, in sizes ranging from infant to 4 years old. If you're dressing a fairy, ballerina or princess, Georgia Blu has the requisite wands, wings and tutus, ranging from $7 to $48.

Rising Stars
This Phinney Ridge consignment shop has a large rack filled with costumes for ages 12 months to 10 years. Prices range from $8 to $10, and I spied an adorable one-piece cow, Elmo, a princess and a jester among the options. Several bins are filled with fun costume necessities like wigs, hats and tails for little devils (from $3). Even the littlest trick-or-treaters will look cute and stay warm in adorable hand-knit pumpkin hats ($22) and tiny Halloween-themed novelty socks ($2.50).

Smallclothes
West Seattle's Smallclothes has a great selection of gently used costumes, ranging in price from $8 for a pumpkin or turtle suit to $14 for recital-worthy dance outfits. Smallclothes is where my little boo and I found her princess dress with the enthusiastic help of co-owner Ruth Hargrave. An enthusiastic supporter of other local businesses, Smallclothes has a great selection of seasonal, Seattle-based BabyLegs, including Itsy Bitsy Spider and Jack-O-Lantern patterns ($12).

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