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All Hallows’ Eve is fast approaching, and if the miraculous appearance of tacky costume stores in previously vacant retail locations hasn’t already reminded you what time of year it is, allow me: It’s time to start planning your costume!
According to a recent report by the National Retail Federation, thanks to the state of the economy, shoppers are expected to spend an average of $56.31 on Halloween this year, down from $66.54 in 2008. While I know for some this may not be cause for celebration, I can’t help it–I’m so excited! Less money means more creative, homemade Halloween costumes!
Before you start scavenging your closet, dusting off the old sewing machine, and mixing fake blood out of food coloring and maple syrup, let’s take a glance at the NRT’s Top Ten Adult Costumes (of the boring store-bought variety):
1. Witch
2. Vampire
3. Pirate
4. Clown
5. Wench/Tart/Vixon
6. Cat
7. Devil
8. Scary Costume/Mask
9. Athlete
10. Police Officer
Anything surprise you? I, for one, am a bit baffled that witches take the number one spot. I mean, witches aren’t exactly invading pop culture the way vampires are right now–there’s been some buzz about zombies being the new vampires, but witches? No. But apparently witches have been casting their spell for a while: The witch has been number one for three years now, according to the NRT lists from 2007 and 2008. So are witches the new vampires? Only time will tell.
I provide this list not to demonstrate mysterious witch trends or the alarming absence of Michael Jackson from the list.
Instead, I want to call your attention to the relative simplicity of popular Halloween costumes. Most everything from this list can be easily thrown together from your own closet. What self-respecting girl can’t come up with a “tart” costume on the spot? All black=witch. Your sweaty gym clothes=athlete. And pretty much anyone with a pale face these days can pass for a vampire (fangs aside).
Not that I’m suggesting you wear three shades of red and call yourself the devil. Have fun, be inventive, combine unexpected elements:
And when it comes to vampires, no one wants to see a vampire with a black cape anymore anyway, but a vampire in that wedding gown you’re never going to wear again–that’s newsworthy.
So tell me… who–or what–will you be this year?
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Photos: Ateo Fiel, kera.org, triplem.com, stevechasmar
More on these topics:
athlete, cat, clown, costumes, devil, Halloween, Halloween costumes, mask, Michael Jackson, National Retail Federation, pirate, police officer, scary costume, tart, Thriller, vampire wedding, vampires, vixen, wench, witch, zombies
Billy VanDahm says:
I am going as TeenWolf. Not the crappy Jason Bateman version but the awesome Michael J Fox version 1.0 I have my Beavers basketball uniform and everything. I was also gonna do the Teen Wolf version from the play but its really hard to find a Civil War uniform that fits over a wolf costume.
Rebecca Taylor says:
Awesome. Don't forget the wolf dance!
Billy VanDahm says:
Oh I've got it down. Unfortunately my friend who was gonna be Stiles is moving. So if anybody in the Phoenix area has an Econoline Van and wants to drive it while I do some roof surfing on Halloween let me know.
Moxie the Maven says:
Myself and all my friends are going en masse as the Muppets. Though zombie muppets would be pretty amazing.... hmm...
Rebecca Taylor says:
I vote for zombie muppets--zombie Miss Piggy would be spectacular.
William Kozy says:
I've always wanted to dress as a priest and go around taking people's confessions. Can't remember where exactly I read where someone famous did that at a party...I want to say it was Bill Bradley and that I read it in the late Dave DeBusschere's NTY Knicks memoir "The Open Man: A Championship Diary." But anyway I've always wanted to do that.
I remember years ago the sister of a woman I was dating had come to a party in a short white linen lingerie-type nightgown. She had safety-pinned little pieces of paper all over it and on those pieces of paper were written words like "id", "ego", "complex", etc. She was...a Freudian Slip.
Rebecca Taylor says:
Perhaps this is the year? With the right crowd + the right amount of alcohol I bet you'd get some interesting confessions.
Ariel says:
Two easy homemade costumes that are easy on the planet
Go as a Christmas three:
Wear a silver star on your head, drape a piece of green cloth pinned with unbreakable Xmas ornaments, and wrap two shoe boxes with wrapping paper to make gift "shoes." Throw some icicles over each arm and shoulder. Add glitter into hair. No expense, little bother. Just stay away from breakable glass ornaments--they're dangerous.
Go as Junk Mail.
Save junk mail (or rummage through your recycle bin). Tape catalogs and junk mail all over your raincoat or T-shirt (depending on where the event is held). A gray or black outfit works best. At the end of the evening, recycle. No grief for the planet. No extra running around.
Go as a pumpkin patch (for parents of young children)
When our kid was a newborn, we got the biggest pumpkin we could find, carved it, insulated it with cloth, and set the kid inside. Pasted big green leaves over us parents. Twined green yarn over our arms.
Ariel says:
Another easy idea--my kid got a prize for this:
Movie popcorn. Pop a few quarts of popcorn. Take two and make into earrings. String some into necklace and bracelet and anklets. Glue some into hat. Take a big white cardboard box and paint red stripes on it and the word "Popcorn." Wear red or white T-shirt and pants, or something neutral like black or gray. If you have maracas, bring them along to make some popcorn type noise.
Robert Dada says:
My wife and I will be on a cruise during Halloween. There is a Halloween party and we've decided to dress up as Dr. Finkelstein and Sally from The Nightmare Before Christmas. Both costumes are completely homemade and I can tell you that we've spent a lot more than $56.31 but it will be worth it. The biggest question though is, will I be able to tolerate the homemade mouth prosthesis that will be spirit gummed to my face to give me that duckbill like mouth?
Rebecca Taylor says:
Robert, the duckbill prosthetic mouth will be a small price to pay for brilliance.