Halloween costumes can be a hassle, especially when the end of the month starts to roll around and you're still stumped. Have no fear my queer! I've racked my little brain and compiled a simple list of tips without even leaving the strip. Here's what to wear and what not to wear if you want to nail it last minute.

D.A.R.E not to do dragz
A fag in drag has been a recurring trend for Halloween since the dawn of humanityand sadly it's grown a little tired. If you do have the insatiable urge to tuck your sucker back and don those lovely locks, be someone recognizable in either an uncanny or funny way, perhaps Anna Nicole Smith as a flesh eating zombie. If you are looking for last minute dragwear, then you are best advised to drop in at Beatnix (3400 N. Halsted | 773.281.6933). Known by everyone as the drag queen capital of Boystown, the modestly sized store is chock full of everything from wigs and fake ta ta's to size 10 pumps and plenty of bling-bling.

Save the treats I just want a trick
If Halloween's a time for you to show your goods off by dressing up as a slutty version of ________________ (insert anything here) then Cupid's Treasures (3519 N. Halsted | 773.348.3884) has your hookup. Sexy underwear and short shorts to make your junk and your trunk pop are only the beginning here. Cupid's also has you covered in hot costumes from your football jock to your bondage inspired doctor. Word of advice though: add some tongue in cheek to your bare cheeks. If I see one more boy in angel wings and briefs I'm throwing tomatoes.

That's so wrong, I love it!...
Not all of us are here to turn heads, there's one or two of us that love nothing but being the class clown. For the folks that want to invoke a few laughs, skip your idea of being a can of Spam and go for something socially relevant like Chris Crocker or Ann Coulter with devil horns. There is a line though of being funny and being politically incorrect; it's Halloweenso cross it. Ragstock and Hollywood Mirror are in the same building right off Halsted on Belmont (812 W. Belmont | Ragstock: 773.868.9263; Mirror:
773.404.2044). They're both bursting with a collection of
vintage and new pieces, perfect for putting together the
costume to nab that cutie with a laugh.

No assembly required
If you're still without wardrobe after my highly educating tips or simply prefer not to think, check out Halloween Hallway (3619 N. Broadway | 773.598.5507). The seasonal store has packaged, put together costumes for you to slip into with most of the accessories already included. Skip the risk of looking cheap though and pair your cotton stretch get up with an old school piece from the costume room at The Brown Elephant Resale Shop (3651 N. Halsted | 773.549.5943).

Other Costuming Options:
Fantasy Costumes (4065 N. Milwaukee Ave. | 773.777.0222) is a huge store (more than a city block long) and has over 1 million items to choose from. Lost Eras (1511 W. Howard | 773.764.7400) is the largest costume rental shop in the Midwest: a two-level store with a 15,000 square foot showroom. Chicago Costume (1120 W. Fullerton | 773.528.1264) offers all of the most popular costumes of the season for sale as well as for rental. They also own the Halloween SuperStores in River West (939 W. North Avenue | 312.943.1264) and in the southeastern part of Logan Square (1963 N. Elston | 773.489.1264.