Harveys of Hove: costumes in Portslade

Harveys of Hove: vintage costumes and period outfits in Portslade

Harveys of Hove is a vintage fashion and costume hire shop at 110 Trafalgar Road, Portslade, Brighton and Hove, BN41 1GS. It describes itself as “the costumier for the South of England” and supplies outfits for film, television, theatre, weddings, fancy-dress parties and themed events. The collection is spread across five floors and covers a wide range of periods, so this is more of a specialist costumier than a standard fancy-dress shop.

The stock includes authentic period costumes, military uniforms, period suits, medieval and pirate clothing, armour, gangster outfits, Victorian and 1920s looks, and costumes based on historical figures such as Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. Reviews also mention Clint Eastwood-style cowboy outfits, French police costumes and fencing swords. There are reportedly 30 Father Christmas outfits available, which gives an idea of the scale and variety of the collection. Customers can hire costumes for short or longer periods, rent several outfits at once, arrange a fitting trial and use delivery or on-site services. In-store purchases are also available, with card and contactless payments accepted.

The shop is run by Managing Director Wayne de Strete, who is regularly praised in reviews alongside Lorna for their knowledge and practical help. Customers describe them as particularly useful when choosing outfits for productions such as Dad’s Army and Hamlet, as well as murder mystery evenings and themed parties. The atmosphere sounds more personal and advice-led than a quick retail visit, although an appointment is required to view the costumes. A bus stop is located just outside, making public transport straightforward.

Opening hours are Monday to Thursday, 10am to 2pm, with the shop closed on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays. As today is Friday 21 August 2026, it would be sensible to contact the shop before travelling, especially if you need a fitting or a particular historical outfit. The listed telephone numbers are 01273 430323 and 07970 976381, and the website is www.harveysofhove.co.uk. Online ratings are strong, including 5/5 on Google Maps from 251 reviews, while Wheree scores customer service at 9.3/10 and costume quality at 9.2/10.