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Don't go straight to generic costume shops, because you'll find very basic things there and often really poor quality. Folk dance costumes need authenticity and details that most regular stores don't have.
Your best option is to look in shops that specialize in dance and regional clothing. If you're lucky enough to have one nearby in your area, there might be one that focuses specifically on this; ask at folk dance schools or cultural associations in your community, because they usually know where to buy. You can also contact local regional dance groups directly: they'll give you recommendations for suppliers they already know. Online, platforms like Etsy or shops that specialize in traditional Spanish and other regional costumes have quite a good selection, though it'll take longer to arrive.
Another option that works well is asking at fabric and accessories stores: some staff know people who make custom costumes or know tailors who specialize in this. It's also worth checking out craft fairs or local markets where they sell traditional products, especially if there are folk events in your region. And if none of that works out, there's always the option of having someone make it for you: many people who do sewing can reproduce a costume from photos or references you give them.
I'd have to disagree a bit: generic costume shops do have lousy options, but it really depends on where you look. Your best bet is to go straight to stores that specialize in traditional or folk costumes from your country - the ones that sell for school performances and festivals - because they know exactly what details each dance needs and can advise you on authenticity. If there's no physical store in your city, check online for brands or sellers who specifically deal in folk costumes; it's not more expensive than generic stuff and the difference in quality and accuracy is noticeable.
If you're looking for something with more personality, try platforms like Mercado Libre or Facebook Marketplace where local sellers make custom costumes, so you can choose exactly which dance you want and adjust sizes without any hassle. You could also contact local folklore groups in your area directly - they often have contacts for seamstresses or know where to get the best costumes, since it's their specialty and they know suppliers that regular stores don't advertise.
What nobody mentions is that a lot of sellers on secondhand platforms or even in specialty shops sell costumes that are designed more for looks than for movement. A kid needs to be able to dance without anything falling off, without his pants riding up or accessories bothering him. That's what actually matters, and it gets overlooked a lot when you're just looking at pretty pictures.
I'd try local fabric and tailoring shops first, because many of them have catalogs of folk costumes specific to your region or autonomous community. The bonus is that if you talk to the staff, you can ask them to make adjustments with the fact that it's for a kid who's going to be moving around. It's also worth checking out thematic fairs and markets where sometimes small tailors do this kind of work, and you get to see the product in person before you pay.
If you don't have anything like that nearby, Etsy and specialty online stores for folk costumes work fine, but make sure you read reviews from people who bought for kids, not just general costume reviews. And buy with plenty of time to spare, because some sellers need weeks to do custom orders and sometimes things arrive with nasty surprises if you don't specify sizes and details clearly.
Ask directly in Facebook groups or WhatsApp chats about folk dances in your area, because parents who've already gone through this have contacts for local seamstresses who make custom costumes way cheaper than any store, and they also know exactly what each dance needs so your kid can move comfortably.
When my nephew needed a marinera costume for school, I ended up calling local seamstresses who specialize in folk dance costumes because the ones I found online came with loose seams and fabric that looked cheap. Ask first in Facebook groups from your area or on Instagram with people who make these costumes to order, because they usually charge less than you'd think and the quality and construction are way better. Also check out shops that sell folk dance supplies or dance academies - they sometimes sell costumes or can recommend where to get ones that actually hold up to movement, not just look good in a photo.
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