With Halloween fast approaching and pumpkins already appearing in some windows, now is the time to start thinking about costumes for the party you have been invited to. There’s the creative option of making your own costume, or there’s the simpler option of visiting a fancy dress shop.

Bristol is certainly not short of fancy dress shops. And it’s this week of the year that they are most definitely at their busiest.

After a trip to Asda in Bedminster for giant cobwebs and a severed hand, I visited the Christmas Steps Costume Hire and Joke Shop yesterday afternoon to get my outfit for the party I am hosting at my flat on Saturday.

Although not actually on the Christmas Steps, the Christmas Steps Costume Hire and Joke Shop does exactly what it says on the tin. I weighed up buying a Freddy Krueger jumper and hat combination, but finally settled on a ‘dead groom’ outfit, featuring a ripped suit, bloodied shirt and wonky top hat.

I will not pretend to have an exhaustive knowledge of all of Bristol’s fancy dress shops. But these three choices below are the three fancy dress shops that I have spent my money in over the years and been pleased with the results.

Christmas Steps Costume Hire and Joke Shop, 47 Colston Street. 0117 926 4703. www.fundirect2u.com

Chaplins, 9 St Augustine’s Parade. 0117 922 7773. www.funpartywigs.com

Carnival Costumes, 131 Coldharbour Road, Redland. 0117 924 8429.