Every October our inbox fills with the same question from mums across the UK: which retailer actually gets a witch costume to the door before the school parade, and which will leave a four-year-old in tears on the doorstep. This year the editors bought and inspected costumes across four of the biggest names on the British high street and online, spanning sizes 2 to 8. We handled the fabrics, read the care labels, cross-checked flammability standards, and timed a return through each retailer’s portal.
What we found is that price is only half the story. Two costumes at nearly identical price points can vary wildly on fabric weight, seam finish and, crucially, whether they carry the correct BS EN 71-2 flammability marking. For readers in the US and Australia we have flagged parenthetical currency equivalents, and slipped in Party City and Kmart Australia comparisons where they meaningfully undercut or beat the British selection.
How We Tested and What Actually Matters
We ordered a witch, pumpkin, skeleton, spider, ghost and superhero at the smallest and largest ends of the 2 to 8 age range from each retailer. Where a retailer stocked additional novelty options at similar price points we added those too, bringing the total to twelve garments across the four brands. Every costume was washed once on a 30 degree cycle, hung to dry, and then checked for shrinkage, colour transfer and any loose stitching around the neck and wrist openings.
The single test that matters most on Halloween is fabric flammability. Under the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011, dress-up costumes for under-14s sold in the UK must comply with BS EN 71-2, which sets a maximum flame spread rate. Every legitimate costume we tested carried a CE or UKCA mark plus the standard reference on the label. Two novelty add-ons purchased separately (a witch cape and a light-up wand) did not, which is a reminder that accessories are the weak link.
We also timed returns. Two costumes were sent back through each retailer’s standard portal to establish real turnaround. The results ranged from a four-day refund to a fourteen-day wait, which matters if you are trying to swap a size 4 for a size 5 before the school disco on the 30th.
Boohoo: Cheapest Front-Door Price, But Watch the Delivery Cut-off
Boohoo’s kids Halloween range for 2026 runs from around £8 for a basic pumpkin tabard up to £22 for a full skeleton bodysuit with attached hood. The witch dress in size 5 to 6 landed at £14 (roughly $18 / AU$28), which is the cheapest branded option we saw for that specific costume across all four retailers.
Fabric-wise, Boohoo leans heavily on 100 percent polyester with a light satin finish. That reads as shiny under a torch, which is fine for photographs, less fine on a cold Sussex driveway when the wind picks up. All the costumes we inspected carried the BS EN 71-2 marking. Seams were single-stitched rather than overlocked, and after one wash the skeleton bodysuit showed slight fraying at the ankle cuff.
The catch is delivery. Boohoo’s standard next-day service costs £5.99 and requires an order placed by 10pm the previous night, which is genuinely useful in the last week of October. Their free standard delivery is 4 to 6 working days, and if you are ordering on the 24th you are cutting it very fine. Returns are free but processed by Evri, and our refund came through on day nine.
Best Boohoo picks for the money
The £14 classic witch dress with pointy hat, the £16 pumpkin tutu set with sequin bodice, and the £11 ghost poncho with printed face all offered decent value. Avoid the £22 spider costume, which had scratchy elasticated cuffs on both samples we ordered.
Asda George: Best All-Rounder for Fabric Quality at This Price
Asda’s George Halloween range is where a lot of British mums quietly land every year, and after this test we understand why. Prices sit between £8 and £18, with the standout being an £12 skeleton onesie (about $15 / AU$24) in a proper brushed cotton-polyester blend that felt noticeably warmer than the Boohoo equivalent.
Every Asda costume we handled carried the correct flammability marking, and the finish quality was a clear step up. Seams were overlocked on all six samples, elastic was covered rather than exposed, and the printed skeleton bones stayed put after two wash cycles. The witch dress at £13 (roughly $17 / AU$26) came with a separate hat that actually stayed on a four-year-old’s head, which is more than we can say for two of the competitors.
Delivery is via Asda’s home service or click-and-collect from a store, and the store option is genuinely useful in the last 48 hours before Halloween. Standard home delivery runs £2.95 for orders over £40, or £4.50 below that. Returns are free by post or in store within 100 days, and store returns process instantly.
M&S: Premium Fabric, Premium Price, and the Best Costume for a Cold Night
Marks and Spencer’s Halloween range is where you go if you want your child to still be warm at half past nine on Bonfire weekend. Prices run £16 to £30, which is roughly double the Boohoo entry point. What you get for that is heavier fabric, lined bodices, and a fit that reads as clothing rather than fancy dress.
The witch dress at £22 (about $28 / AU$44) was the only costume in our test with a proper cotton lining behind the polyester outer, meaning it can be worn over a long-sleeved thermal without the child overheating or itching. The pumpkin costume at £20 came as a padded jumper and matching leggings, which doubles as a wearable outfit for any autumn dress-up day at nursery.
M&S carries BS EN 71-2 markings across the range, and the returns policy is the most generous of the four: 35 days by post, or in store instantly. Sparks & More members get free standard delivery on any order, otherwise it is £3.99, dropping to free over £60.
Where M&S falls short
The novelty options are thin. If your seven-year-old wants a scientifically accurate T-Rex or a full Ghostbusters uniform, this is not the retailer. M&S plays it classic: witch, pumpkin, skeleton, cat, ghost. Anything more specific and you are back to Boohoo or a specialist site.
Costco UK: Bulk-Style Value If You Have Two or More Children
Costco’s approach to Halloween is different. Their kids range appears in warehouse and online from mid-September and disappears fast, and prices are notably competitive when a costume is in stock. This year we bought a two-pack of superhero costumes for £24.99 including VAT (roughly $32 / AU$50 for two), which works out at just under £12.50 each.
The catch is that stock is unpredictable, sizing runs American (so the size 4 to 6 fits closer to a UK size 5 to 7), and returns require the receipt and either a warehouse visit or a phone call to member services. The fabric on both superhero costumes was 100 percent polyester with an attached foam muscle chest, which our four-year-old tester loved and our seven-year-old tester found too warm.
Delivery from Costco.co.uk is 2 to 5 working days and free over £75, otherwise from £5.99. If you are not already a member the £33.60 annual fee is a real cost to factor in, and worth it only if you are buying two or more costumes plus doing a bulk shop.
Retailer Comparison at a Glance
| Retailer | Price Range | Fabric Standard | Standard Delivery | Free Returns Window |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boohoo | £8 to £22 | BS EN 71-2, polyester | 4 to 6 days, next-day £5.99 | 14 days |
| Asda George | £8 to £18 | BS EN 71-2, cotton blend | 2 to 3 days from £2.95 | 100 days |
| M&S | £16 to £30 | BS EN 71-2, cotton-lined | 3 to 5 days, £3.99 | 35 days |
| Costco UK | £12 to £25 (multi-pack) | BS EN 71-2, US-sized polyester | 2 to 5 days, free over £75 | 90 days |
What About Party City and Kmart Australia?
For readers in the US, Party City remains the widest range on the West and East coasts, with witch and pumpkin costumes typically running $12.99 to $34.99. Delivery cut-offs slip earlier every year, so ordering before 24 October is now the safe window. Their fabric standards follow ASTM F963 rather than BS EN 71-2, which is a comparable but not identical benchmark.
In Australia, Kmart’s Halloween range opens in early October and prices tend to sit between AU$12 and AU$25 for age 2 to 8. Kmart’s fabric labels reference AS/NZS ISO 8124, and stock rarely lasts past mid-October in the metro stores. Australia Post standard delivery is 3 to 8 business days depending on state, and returns are 60 days with receipt.
Delivery Cut-offs Before 31 October 2026
The single most useful piece of information a mum can have this week is when each retailer’s last-safe-order date actually falls. Based on their published lead times as of writing:
Boohoo standard: order by Sunday 25 October for a 31 October arrival. Next-day: order by 10pm on Thursday 29 October.
Asda George standard: order by Wednesday 28 October. Click-and-collect: order by 12 noon on Thursday 29 October for Friday collection.
M&S standard: order by Tuesday 27 October. Sparks members using free standard: same date.
Costco.co.uk: order by Monday 26 October, or better, go to your nearest warehouse the weekend of the 24th and 25th.
If a costume has not arrived by Friday morning of Halloween week, our editors’ advice is to walk into an Asda or M&S in person that afternoon rather than chase a courier. Store stock in the last 48 hours is unpredictable but not impossible, and both retailers restock costumes daily until the 30th.
Do’s and Don’ts
| Do's | Don'ts |
|---|---|
| Do check for the BS EN 71-2 marking on every costume | Don't assume small third-party sellers meet UK safety standards |
| Do order at least one full size up on Boohoo | Don't wash a costume on higher than 30 degrees before Halloween |
| Do keep the receipt and packaging until 1 November | Don't cut off tags before your child has tried it on twice |
| Do add a warm base layer if trick-or-treating after 7pm | Don't rely on Boohoo standard delivery in the last week of October |
| Do choose overlocked seams for children under five | Don't buy separate accessories without a CE or UKCA mark |
| Do use click-and-collect at Asda for peace of mind | Don't leave sparklers or candles inside a polyester costume |
| Do go in-store at M&S in the last 48 hours | Don't buy Costco costumes without checking US sizing conversion |
| Do budget for a spare pair of tights or thermals underneath | Don't forget that novelty capes can catch on doorsteps |
| Do photograph the label for future reference | Don't remove hood elastic to make it fit; return and size up |
| Do factor in the school parade dress code before buying | Don't leave returns until after 1 November if the window is short |
FAQs
Which retailer offers the safest fabric for a child under three?
Both M&S and Asda George stocked cotton-lined or cotton-blend options at the size 2 to 3 range, which we would rank ahead of pure polyester. All four retailers carry the required BS EN 71-2 marking, but softer fabrics reduce the risk of skin irritation on younger children with sensitive skin.
What is BS EN 71-2 and why does it matter?
BS EN 71-2 is the British and European safety standard covering the flammability of toys and dress-up costumes for under-14s. It limits the flame spread rate on the finished garment. A costume without this marking may not meet UK legal requirements and should not be sold on the British market.
Can I return a Halloween costume after 31 October?
Yes, provided it is within each retailer’s stated returns window and the costume is unworn with tags. M&S offers 35 days, Boohoo 14, Asda 100 and Costco 90. Worn or laundered costumes cannot be returned.
Are Costco costumes worth the membership fee?
Only if you are already a member or plan to make other bulk purchases. The £33.60 annual fee is roughly the cost of two Boohoo witch dresses, so on Halloween alone it does not pay off unless you are buying for three or more children.
Do any of these retailers stock plus-fit or accessible costumes for children with additional needs?
M&S has the widest easy-dressing range with adaptive fastenings, though the seasonal Halloween line is smaller. Asda George runs occasional adaptive Halloween pieces. Boohoo and Costco do not currently market adaptive Halloween lines.
Is it worth paying for next-day delivery in the last week of October?
Only from Boohoo, where standard delivery becomes unreliable after 24 October. Asda click-and-collect and M&S store pickup are both faster than paying for expedited post.
What should my child wear underneath a thin polyester costume in cold weather?
A long-sleeved cotton thermal top and leggings sits well under most witch and pumpkin costumes without adding bulk. For skeleton bodysuits, a fitted long-sleeved base layer keeps warmth in without showing through the print.
