Where are you?
Our workshop is nestled in the charming village of Shanklin on the beautiful Isle of Wight, a southern UK gem known for its stunning coastline, sandy beaches, and rich cultural heritage—an inspiring setting for crafting our theatrical costumes.
How long does it take to get to you?
It takes under three hours to travel from London Waterloo to Costume Workshop in Shanklin. It is very convenient; Usually the most convenient routes are from Portsmouth Harbour and Southsea.
How far in advance should I book?
It is advisable to book new and popular shows as soon as you can especially during peak season. We can provide costumes at the last minute but generally people tend to book their costumes around 6 months in advance.
Can you supply us with a costume plot?
Costume Plots are available for the majority of the shows on our Shows list. Please email or telephone for costume plot.
How long is your basic hire period?
Delivery of costumes usually takes place on the Wednesday or Thursday before production week and fittings should be carried out as soon as possible. The actual hire period usually lasts for twelve days and extra weeks are generally charged at 50%.
How much do you charge?
When booking a full set of costumes, as per the costume plot, we charge a set price per costume. This is our lowest charge per unit price. If you require a part show the cost per costume will be slightly more. This cost is advised when a complete list of your requirements is submitted. We can also supply individual costumes or sets. The hire charge for this will depend on the type of costume required.
How will the costumes be dispatched?
All costumes are delivered via courier service in our specially designed corrugated plastic boxes, ensuring safe and secure transport. We will provide you with an estimated delivery time, and we kindly ask that a member of your society be present to receive the costumes on the scheduled delivery day. You are also welcome to collect your costumes from our premises in Shanklin.
How do we measure someone?
If you are unsure on how to measure someone correctly, please see How to Measure. It is important to supply the correct measurements as we can only work with the information supplied. Please supply measurements in imperial. You can get your How To Measure guide here.
Do we need to fill in all the details in the measurement form?
Yes is the answer to this question! We specifically ask about things like age and colouring as it helps with selecting a suitable costume. It is also essential to state the sex of the performer as some names are not gender specific. This could cause an embarrassing situation at dress call!
When do we need to return the measurement forms?
We generally require the measurement forms to be returned four weeks prior to the dispatch of your costumes. We do appreciate how difficult it is these days to measure a complete cast but the earlier we receive the measurements the easier it is to sort out any of your special requirements.
Do you supply outsized costumes?
We have a number of outsized costumes but this is dependent on the production and character. If you have any unusual sized people in your show please telephone to discuss as soon as possible.
When do you collect the costumes?
Generally we collect costumes on a Monday after the last performance. If collection is by courier it will be the first working day after your last performance.
What are your conditions of hire?
Please see conditions of hire for our terms and conditions to be adhered to.
What new projects are you working on?
Visit our homepage for information on the latest shows Costume Workshop are working on.
How to get to us?
There are many different ways to reach us on the Isle of Wight. It is very convenient; it takes under three hours to travel from London Waterloo to Costume Workshop in Shanklin. Usually the most convenient routes are from Portsmouth Harbour and Southsea.
By Foot
Wightlink run a Fast Cat service from Portsmouth which takes just 25 minutes. This service connects directly with the train service from Waterloo and from the ferry a train runs direct to Shanklin. Costume Workshop is then a five minute walk from the station. Ryde to Shanklin is approximately 20 minutes by car.
Hovertravel operate a Hovercraft service from Southsea where ample parking is available. The Hovercraft runs every 30 minutes to Ryde, with the journey taking only seven minutes. The train then leaves Ryde Esplanade running directly to Shanklin.
By Car
If there are a few of you visiting it may be more cost effective to travel by car. There are three different ports on the Island.
The closest port to Shanklin is Fishbourne, approximately 20 minutes from Costume Workshop. This service leaves from Portsmouth and the crossing takes around 40 minutes. This sailing is operated by Wightlink and run every thirty minutes.
Wightlink also offer a service from Lymington to Yarmouth, which takes only 30 minutes. The journey from Yarmouth to Shanklin takes around 45 minutes.
There is also a route from Southampton to East Cowes. The sailing is run by Red Funnel and takes one hour. East Cowes to Shanklin is approximately 30 minutes.
We will be happy to advise you on the best route to take for your journey.