Superheros, zombies, sexy monsters and superskins are "in" this year, but whether such popular Halloween outfits will be in stock at your local costume store is another matter.
With two more shopping weekends before October's best holiday creeps upon the Sacramento region, retailers are seeing costume trends shift slightly from last year, but the always-popular pirate outfits arrr always in style.
Big hits with the ladies include sexy monster outfits, which feature a brightly colored, monster "head" that sits atop one's head like a hat. Halloween is a great time to create "little versions of sexy everything," Evangeline's manager Jen Krossmann said, including animals like racoons or foxes.
For men—and boys—superhero costumes are huge, especially Batman and Captain America, Kossmann said. Party City executive assistant Jeff Alley agrees, noting there's been a surge especially among Marvel and Avengers characters.
And "Monster High"—a popular web series, line of fashion dolls and even young adult book series—is huge with girls, Alley said.
Melissa McKenzie, assistant manager at Spirit Halloween on Madison and Date, said the "Monster High" outfits can't be kept in the store long enough.
Morph suits—or skinsuits that come in a range of colors and patterns—are also huge. "It's becoming more and more popular," Alley said. "If you turn on any college football event, a lot of times in the stands you'll start seeing those types of things."
And they're selling fast. "Have fun trying to find one in the size and color you want, because we're running out," McKenzie said.
But you don't need to buy an entire outfit to be dressed up for the spookiest night of the year. All it takes is one pointed accessory to go from drab to deranged doctor. And who doesn't want an excuse to wear what on any other day of the year may be considered silly or immature?
What are you going to be for Halloween? Where do you plan to get your costume? Tell us in the comments.
