Halloween Costume Trends 2009
Natalie Dillon
Issue date: 10/19/09 Section: Arts & Entertainment
As college students, most of us will find any excuse to don some unusual get-ups, from toga parties, to mustache bashes to day parties bursting with throwback jerseys and neon shades.
But once a year, on that last chilly night of October, the work is done for us. We don't need an excuse to play dress up on Halloween.
So while you mull over ideas for that perfect, hard to find costume, consider what the experts - and a poll of 38 of your Miami peers - say will be this year's hottest trends.
"Fads for Halloween do not change as frequently from year to year as they do in fashion," explains Simon Ekelund, general manager of three Halloween Headquarters costume stores in Ohio. "But, certain trends can be observed from year to year. Overwhelmingly, pop culture tends to be the biggest catalyst for change. Movies are going to be especially popular this year."
According to ExtremeHalloween.com, movie superheroes in particular will be a hit, with characters like Wolverine and Batman leading the pack. For female heroes, Wonder Woman and Batgirl are no longer the only lead gals, though both are still listed as bestsellers. "I could see a lot of people being Silk Spectre from Watchmen," predicts Miami junior Ali Marshak. "Her costume is sweet."
Sweet, and a top seller at BuyCostumes.com.
As for real-life celebrities, move on over Sarah Palin. "The blonde bob reality TV star Kate Gosselin is this year's do," Ekelund says.
The "Eight Is Too Much Adult Wig" is among top sellers at BuyCostumes.com and was backordered as early as September. To complete the Kate look, Ekelund recommends finding a simple cardigan and a pair of slacks.
Ekelund adds that Michael Jackson costumes will sell big this year as well. But before you run out to buy that red jacket and pair of leather pants, be warned: nearly half of Miami students polled said it's just "too soon" to impersonate the late King of Pop.
Dressing as Michael may be risky, but about 70 percent of students expect other 1980s-themed looks to be big, from classic hair band rockers to girls in shoulder pads, neon leggings and frizzy hair.
Although Halloween is, after all, about the scare factor, Miami students tend to shy away from the spooky. One hundred percent of students polled expect funny costumes to be popular, while less than 10 percent feel the same about scarier looks.
"For men, humorous costumes are always popular," Ekelund, says. This can range from a character on an SNL skit to an oversized Teletubby.
Sophomore Ian Hoagland agrees with the humor tactic. "Last year I was a Smurf and that was a huge hit," he says.
And now we arrive at the category of "sexy." But will the more revealing get-ups hold their post at the top of this year's list? Of course they will. One hundred percent of students and ExtremeHalloween.com agree: sexy is still in.
Men can rest assured, Oxford will see no shortage of skin trotting down High Street on the last Saturday night in October.
And it's not just humans getting into the Halloween spirit this year, pets everywhere are already planning their costumes, or at least their owners are. Cheerleading pooches and royal kittens are among the popular pet costumes at ExtremeHalloween.com.
Senior Nick Baxter will include his pet in the festivities by dressing his American Bulldog puppy as a Chipotle burrito.
While settling on an idea - for yourself or your pet - is hard enough, getting your hands on that perfect costume can be just as challenging.
The majority of students polled say they plan to make their costumes through a combination of store-bought and pre-owned items.
For the store-bought pieces, some local stores students usually look to include Hamilton's Halloween Headquarters, Cincinnati's Halloween Express, Oxford Wal-Mart, and Goodwill.
"Halloween is about more than costumes," Ekelund says. "There are a lot of creative individuals out there who want to express their creativity."
So as you plan for the big night, remember what the experts say, but also remember that not following the fads can be a trend in itself. Be creative, be fun and have a fantastic Halloween.
But once a year, on that last chilly night of October, the work is done for us. We don't need an excuse to play dress up on Halloween.
So while you mull over ideas for that perfect, hard to find costume, consider what the experts - and a poll of 38 of your Miami peers - say will be this year's hottest trends.
"Fads for Halloween do not change as frequently from year to year as they do in fashion," explains Simon Ekelund, general manager of three Halloween Headquarters costume stores in Ohio. "But, certain trends can be observed from year to year. Overwhelmingly, pop culture tends to be the biggest catalyst for change. Movies are going to be especially popular this year."
According to ExtremeHalloween.com, movie superheroes in particular will be a hit, with characters like Wolverine and Batman leading the pack. For female heroes, Wonder Woman and Batgirl are no longer the only lead gals, though both are still listed as bestsellers. "I could see a lot of people being Silk Spectre from Watchmen," predicts Miami junior Ali Marshak. "Her costume is sweet."
Sweet, and a top seller at BuyCostumes.com.
As for real-life celebrities, move on over Sarah Palin. "The blonde bob reality TV star Kate Gosselin is this year's do," Ekelund says.
The "Eight Is Too Much Adult Wig" is among top sellers at BuyCostumes.com and was backordered as early as September. To complete the Kate look, Ekelund recommends finding a simple cardigan and a pair of slacks.
Ekelund adds that Michael Jackson costumes will sell big this year as well. But before you run out to buy that red jacket and pair of leather pants, be warned: nearly half of Miami students polled said it's just "too soon" to impersonate the late King of Pop.
Dressing as Michael may be risky, but about 70 percent of students expect other 1980s-themed looks to be big, from classic hair band rockers to girls in shoulder pads, neon leggings and frizzy hair.
Although Halloween is, after all, about the scare factor, Miami students tend to shy away from the spooky. One hundred percent of students polled expect funny costumes to be popular, while less than 10 percent feel the same about scarier looks.
"For men, humorous costumes are always popular," Ekelund, says. This can range from a character on an SNL skit to an oversized Teletubby.
Sophomore Ian Hoagland agrees with the humor tactic. "Last year I was a Smurf and that was a huge hit," he says.
And now we arrive at the category of "sexy." But will the more revealing get-ups hold their post at the top of this year's list? Of course they will. One hundred percent of students and ExtremeHalloween.com agree: sexy is still in.
Men can rest assured, Oxford will see no shortage of skin trotting down High Street on the last Saturday night in October.
And it's not just humans getting into the Halloween spirit this year, pets everywhere are already planning their costumes, or at least their owners are. Cheerleading pooches and royal kittens are among the popular pet costumes at ExtremeHalloween.com.
Senior Nick Baxter will include his pet in the festivities by dressing his American Bulldog puppy as a Chipotle burrito.
While settling on an idea - for yourself or your pet - is hard enough, getting your hands on that perfect costume can be just as challenging.
The majority of students polled say they plan to make their costumes through a combination of store-bought and pre-owned items.
For the store-bought pieces, some local stores students usually look to include Hamilton's Halloween Headquarters, Cincinnati's Halloween Express, Oxford Wal-Mart, and Goodwill.
"Halloween is about more than costumes," Ekelund says. "There are a lot of creative individuals out there who want to express their creativity."
So as you plan for the big night, remember what the experts say, but also remember that not following the fads can be a trend in itself. Be creative, be fun and have a fantastic Halloween.
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