During a recent foray into a costume shop, I expected to be overrun by Halloween-happy kids and teens.
But as I wandered the aisles, I noticed that the majority of shoppers were, in fact, adults — many of whom did not have children in tow.
Don’t grown-ups have enough to do between jobs and households without having to worry about costumes?
“It’s not just for kids anymore,” said Rick Fauteux, operator of Spirit, the Halloween Superstore, which opened on Carling Avenue for the season.
“It’s a chance for adults to be kids for a while, to let loose and not be so uptight,” he said. “It’s great. How often do you get a chance to become someone else for a night?”
Karen Sagle loves Halloween so much, she’s planning three costumes this year.
“I’m thinking a sailor for the bar, something for a party and a scary costume to scare trick-or-treaters,” said the Carleton University graduate. “I’m kind of crazy for Halloween.”
Fortunately for Sagle, choices abound, where even 15 years ago, adult-sized costumes used to be relegated to half an aisle at the drugstore — remember those ill-fitting French Maid and jailbird costumes that came in plastic packaging?
While sexy (nurses, cowgirls, schoolgirls and superheroes) and scary (vampires, Friday and the 13th’s Jason and various nameless undead) never go out of fashion, there are new trends every year, said store operator Nick Hemm.
Some of the latest costumes capitalize on the success of recent movies, including Indiana Jones, V for Vendetta and the Saw franchise. Theme costumes, which allow each member of a group to dress as a different character, are also popular this year, said Fauteux.
The ultra-organized can go as the gang from Scooby Doo or Star Wars, or as Spartans from the movie 300.
For those in a more exclusive club, couples’ costumes include bacon and egg and plug and socket.
Halloween seems to have exploded. Case in point — the witch hat section boasts at least a dozen variations on the plain vinyl black hat I wore when I dressed up as a witch more than 20 years ago. Horror makeup, too, is so real that it guarantees to send mom running for the first aid kit.
Some costumes, like the parasitic twin, are pretty creative and years ago, would only be possible if you found a way to make it yourself at home.
While some might consider adults dressing for Halloween frivolous, I think it’s good for us.
It’s great to have the opportunity to chuckle at yourself. It’s one day where normally buttoned-up types can unleash their creative/sexy/scary sides and besides, there’s nothing like a good scare — or a good laugh — to spice up a chilly and dreary time of year.
