An Ideal Wardrobe

Since 2009 the Abbey Theatre has been operating a costume hire service right under our noses. We stumbled across their instagram feed a few weeks ago and ever since our inner drama queens have been swooning at the curated sights. With an array of period costumes from the chicest of Edwardian hats to overwhelm our modern coiffures to eclectic 1970s jumpsuits we’ve come to nearly regret all our life choices that have led us away from a career treading the boards. Also included in the bounty are some outfits from the divine Pygmalion wardrobe, which was designed by the glorious Peter O’Brien back in 2011, and the memorably scarlet ensemble of Alice In Funderland’s Queen of Hartstown. After retiring from the stage some of the outfits enjoy a new lease of life in tv and film productions such as Moone Boy and the forthcoming Cecelia Ahern penned romantic drama Love Rosie while others can be rented.

But alas there is a catch! Plus ca change. Due to the expense and intricate effort that goes into making and sourcing the costumes, hiring is limited to film, TV, stage, photoshoots, opera and performance only. So your chance to wow at Hallowe’en remains a distant dream. However there is nothing to stop you dropping by the local amateur drama society and nudging the wardrobe mistress/master towards the Abbey’s service. In the meantime get lost in the dreamy instagram they’ve got up and running over at @abbeytheatrecostumehire.

For more details about the Abbey Theatre’s costume hire service see here.

Jeanne Sutton @jeannedesutun