More fun, less fright

All pre-planned notions of a Power Ranger Halloween costume fled from Maria Alderman’s mind last week when she spied a saucy little officer’s hat at a Spokane costume shop.

Oh, the possibilities!

The Central Valley High School student could picture herself in a mini-skirted version of a policewoman’s uniform, complete with fishnet stockings and knee-high leather boots. With that getup, her date could dress as a convict.

“So much more sexy,” a giggling Alderman explained.

Young women looking for party-wear make the cash register ring at The Display House this time of year. The Spokane-based chain of costume stores sells three female costumes for every male one, said owner John Jones.

“The 18- to 30-year-old gals have really spearheaded the marketplace,” he said. “The guys tag along. They’re stuck getting something to complement or match what the gals come up with.”

Halloween isn’t just for kids anymore, as midriff-baring lines of costumes made by lingerie manufacturers demonstrate.

Americans will spend $3.12 billion on Halloween candy, costumes and decorations this year, according to the National Retail Federation. Young adults represent the fastest growing part of the market. Over half of 18- to 24-year-olds plan to attend costume parties this year, said Ellen Tolley, federation spokeswoman.

“It used to be that you had to have kids to celebrate Halloween,” she said. “A lot of the new money for Halloween is coming from adults.”

Of that group, women definitely hold the buying power.

Alderman was shopping at The Display House last week in preparation for Central Valley’s annual Sadie Hawkins dance.

“We’re picking out the costume and dressing the guys,” she said, while her pal Molly Nordstrom nodded confirmation.

After settling on the policewomen costumes, the young women chose black-and-white striped chain-gang outfits for their dates.

Their friend, Sara Wilson, planned to wear a 1940s-style “poofy little dress, black with white flowers” to the dance. Her date will be a World War II airman.

The costume industry caters to the fairer sex for a good reason, Jones said.

A woman will spend $150 on a Halloween costume if she finds it flattering and fashionable, he said. Men, in general, are less willing to invest in the perfect costume.

“For guys, it’s ‘What can I buy for the least amount of money and still be acceptable?’” Jones said.

He’s also noticed a trend toward sexier costumes.

Provocative takeoffs of traditional storybook characters are hot sellers this year, particularly among women ages 16- to 24. Little Red Riding Hood, Little Miss Muffet and Bo Peep costumes have short skirts and tight bodices.

“It’s more of sexy cute,” said Katie Brown, manager of the Costume Holiday House in Freemont, Ohio, which is affiliated with the National Costumers Association.

Leg Avenue, a California-based lingerie company, is one of the manufacturers. The Display House and the Spirit Halloween Store in Coeur d’Alene both stock the costumes, which retail for $39.99 and up. The line also includes the Sexy School Girl, the Sexy Cow Girl and the Naughty Housewife.

The trend may reflect the lack of a blockbuster film with female leads this year, Jones noted.

“Nothing came off in the movie theater that inspired designers,” he said. “A lot of costume designers are going to lingerie shows to get ideas.”

Becky Simon had a different theory. Dressing up allows people to try out different personas, said the 53-year-old Rathdrum woman, as she held up a $34 Flapper dress for inspection last week.

“You get to be free of inhibitions. You get to be someone else,” she said.

Simon has thrown costume parties for more than 20 years. She and her late husband, Barry, started the tradition.

“Halloween was his favorite holiday,” Simon said. “His favorite costume for me was Elvira. Have you seen her on TV? She’s the sexy vampiress.”

Simon played the role gleefully, donning a wig of raven tresses, a low-cut black gown and stiletto heels in addition to a pair of fangs.

On the male side of the aisle, Hollywood remains a major influence on costume themes, store owners said. “Pirates of the Caribbean” inspired a wave of swashbuckling Johnny Depp fashions. Outfits for gladiators and gangsters, Zorro shirts and Zoot suits remain perennial favorites. Masks of George W. Bush, John Kerry and Dick Cheney are also in demand.

The Sept. 11 tragedy that popularized police and firefighter costumes for both men and women also toned down the gore.

“It’s changing away from horror to fun,” said Star Moxley, owner of The Costume Shop in Boise.