Be Ready For Anything In Halloween Costumes
Quietly, a vampire enters the Inland Northwest Blood Center. No one bats an eye. Occasionally she takes a long draw from the IV bag filled with a dark red fluid at her side. Satisfied, she moves on.
Have we just stepped into the “Twilight Zone”? No, it’s merely the end of October and time to celebrate All Hallow’s Eve, a day when normal adults dress as blood-sucking monsters and sip on IV bags full of cherry Jell-O.
Halloween is the one day of the year when we are actually encouraged to be politically incorrect. It’s the day when the quiet office administrator comes to work dressed as a vampish Elvira or the normally introverted business manager struts around like a StarWars Storm Trooper all day. It’s a day of make-believe, even for adults.
Along Sherman Avenue in Coeur d’Alene, most businesses go all out for Halloween. Last year one of the most memorable performances was by a Tito’s employee who not only dressed as Ace Ventura - pet detective - but acted like him, too. At Metropolitan Mortgage, staffers are still talking about the year the vice president dressed as Little Bo Peep in a get-up complete with blonde wig, lacy pantaloons and a low neckline revealing lots of chest hair. He had his entire department suit up as sheep and follow him around.
This year’s most popular costumes reflect what we find to be entertaining in films or on television.
Staff members at The Display House in Spokane say Batman and StarWars costumes are very popular, but the old standard Star Trek outfits are beginning to fade. A surprising new entry this year is the “Mimi” look based on the character of that name from “The Drew Carey Show.” Expect to see lots of periwinkle blue eye shadow.
Anything associated with aliens is bound to be a hit. Besides, how much easier is it than to dress like Tommy Lee Jones’ character from “Men In Black”? A black suit, white shirt, silk tie and a Super Soaker water gun pretty much does it. Don’t forget the dark glasses.
M&M costumes are also getting a lot of attention this season. You will likely see a multitude of gray ones. Too bad spotting one of these won’t qualify you to win the candy company’s contest.
Karen Erickson, owner of Sew Many Dreams, which specializes in custom-made costumes, says she’s been getting requests for fantasy-theme outfits, such as an authentic Prince Charming and Xena-Warrior Princess.
“If there’s one mistake people make in selecting a Halloween costume it’s that they wait too long to make a decision,” she says.
Another factor to consider is comfort. If you are going to wear a costume to work, be sure it’s something that will allow you to perform your regularly scheduled activities.
Frankenstein dentists and fairy godmother accountants. Is this a nightmare or a dream come true? Probably a little of both. Considering that Halloween falls on a Friday this year, we’d better prepare for all sorts of ghouls and goblins in the offices across the Inland Northwest as business after business takes casual Friday into the next dimension.
Happy Haunting!
xxxx