Halloween Costume Ideas from Adults to Kids

Halloween 2009 is starting to creep up on us. It’s best to buy Halloween costumes early so you’re not stressing at the last minute over what to wear. To help you out, we’ve put together a list of costumes and themes to point you in the right direction this Halloween.

Top Adult Costume Ideas: Whether you’re planning on going to a friend’s Halloween party or expect to spend a night on the town, one of these adult Halloween costumes will be sure to impress:

Dead Celebrities
Dead celebrities have always been popular choices for Halloween. This year, we have had what seems like an overwhelming number of celebrity deaths. Check out some of most popular celebrities that will most likely be eulogized through costume.

• Michael Jackson: This costume can come in many forms, from those who want to glorify the King of Pop, to those who choose to focus on the controversy surrounding his death. Michael Jackson’s famous thriller video makes it easy to use the star’s memory as Halloween inspiration.
• Farrah Fawcett: The former fashion model and Charlie’s Angel will be popular among ladies looking to use Hollywood’s obituary list for costume ideas.
• Other dead celebrity costume ideas include infomercial pitchman Billy Mays, political columnist Robert Novak, television personality Ed McMahon and countless others.

Political Costumes
The political costume was trendy last year when we saw Sarah Palin as a popular Halloween party theme. This year, she will remain a top costume choice, in addition to fellow Republicans Rush Limbaugh and former Vice President Dick Cheney. Not to worry though, Halloween costumes are quite bi-partisan, as President Obama & the first lady will be popular among couples’ costumes this year.

Superheroes
Always a safe bet is the superhero costume. Last year saw throngs of Batman costumes. We foresee another year of Heath Ledger-inspired Joker costumes, as well as other Dark Knight spin-offs.

Other popular superheroes include the classics like Superman, the Incredible Hulk, Spiderman, and various Transformers characters for those wishing to relive their childhood.


Top Kids Costume Ideas: From trick-or-treating to classroom Halloween parties, finding a great kids Halloween costume based on these suggestions will be sure to keep a smile on their faces.

Popular Movies
Halloween always has a habit of mimicking the most popular movies of the current year. This year, “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” dominated the box office and will likely dominate the Halloween costume arena. Optimus Prime, Bumblebee and Megatron will be very big among the children this season.

• Harry Potter: The boy wizard will see another year of popularity as more and more kids catch “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” -- the latest film based on the popular series of fantasy novels.
• Hannah Montana: Tweens and teens alike will want to emulate the Disney phenomenon who leads a double life as a pop star – played by the ever-popular Miley Cyrus

Disney
Princess costumes are always a top choice among young girls who love to get frilly. Cinderella, Snow White, Belle and Jasmine are just a few Disney favorites among the little ones. Boys, too, are big fans of well-known Disney heroes. Wall-E costumes; Buzz and Woody from Toy Story and the Power Rangers will be just a few of the fan favorites among boys this Halloween.

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A Green Halloween

Going green in all aspects of our lives has become a huge trend. Here at BuyCostumes Headquarters, we do a lot to save the environment, help out Mother Nature, and to save money. Besides recycling and shredding our paper and post-its in several designated bins, our building reduces energy costs by collecting and circulating cool air from the evenings, throughout the building. The lights in our distribution center are motion sensitive and shut off when nobody is working. Also, over 90% of our workspaces in the building allow enough natural light to meet the requirement of a green building. We also reward employees that drive hybrid cars with front row parking spots!

A great book with tons of tips for environmental consciousness is The New York Times Bestseller The Green Book. It's a little book with a lot of facts, tips, and celebrity testimonies. It's even printed on 100% recycled paper!

We also want you to have a Green Halloween! No, we don't mean wear green masks and decorate with green streamers. (Alhtough we do have these GREAT new costumes to show your support for the Earth!) Take little steps to decrease your carbon footprint. Here are a couple from an article in The Baltimore Sun.

• Walk the streets of your neighborhood, don't drive! The exercise is heart-healthy and eco-friendly.
  
• Avoid plastic trick-or-treat bags. Instead, decorate an old pillowcase, tote bag, or canvas shopping bag.
  
• Treat the kids to organic and fair-trade goodies.
  
• Shop for locally grown holiday treats and decorate with apples, pumpkins and gourds.
  
• Find alternatives to candy treats. Try soy crayons or packets of seeds that can be planted in the spring.
  
• Fill your flashlight with rechargeable batteries instead of conventional ones.


• Host a pumpkin pie bakeoff -- a great way to use the post-halloween pumpkins.

What ideas do you have for a Green Halloween?!

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Costumes for Dad

Father's day is just around the corner, so why not surprise your dad or husband with a fun costume for parties and Halloween. Not sure what he'd like? Here are some options that would appeal to every kind of dad.

The sports fanatic – a sports themed costume will always score a touchdown with a sports dad. From football to baseball players, we have a variety of options that are sure to be slam dunk.

The super dad – let him show off his super skills with a superhero costume. Whether he's dressed as Batman or Spider-Man, he'll be the most heroic dad around come this Halloween.

The workaholic – he can be a doctor by day and firefighter by night. There are tons of costumes that work for every occupation.

Still not sure what costume to choose for him? Check out Buycostumes.com for more fun costume ideas for the dad you appreciate all year long!

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I Need A Hero!

Crazy times we're living in, eh? Troubles on Wall Street and plenty of other places around the world, and the politicians are fighting tooth and nail to get into the Presidential seat. Where are Superman, Batman, Robin, Wonder Woman, Spider-Man, Iron Man, The Hulk, Captain America, Wolverine, The Fantastic Four, Hawk Girl, Raven, and The Incredibles when you need them? At BuyCostumes.com, that's where! BuyCostumes.com has the most super selection of superhero costumes in the universe! From D.C. Comics to Marvel Comics, and even Pixar, you'll find the best of the best at BuyCostumes.com! Thank goodness, because right now, we need them more than ever! So why do we love these crazy guys and gals in bodysuits, tights and capes? There are all kinds of reasons. They are mysterious, eccentric, maybe a little crazy, but definitely brave, and perhaps most importantly, they are selfless in so many ways. Oh, and usually, they have super powers... this helps a lot! Typically, they also have a weakness, and this makes them human--and loveable. Batman, is my favorite, and maybe one of the big reasons is that he actually doesn't have any super powers at all--he's just a genius, an amazing athelete and warrior... and he's pretty handsome, to boot (and Christian Bale is not bad, either). Plus his arch enemy, The Joker is probably the creepiest and scariest super villain ever, so this keeps things exciting. AND he has awesome vehicles, weapons, and tools!But then there is Spider-Man... he shoots webs and swings from them through New York City and has spider sense, and battles guys like The Green Goblin and Doctor Octopus. And he's a little nerdy apart from being a superhero, which actually makes him cool.

Superheroes... there are so many great ones to choose from and everyone has their favorites for different reasons. Who's your favorite? Whoever it is, chances are, we have him or her here at BuyCostumes.com, along with accessories, party kits, and the whole nine yards.

Maybe the biggest reason for our love of superheros is that they represent hope. They keep on fighting the good fight even in the darkest hour, and in the end, they get the bad guys!

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Flip Your Wig!

Wigs are awesome, aren't they?!? I would wear a different one every day if I could... well, that would be a lot of wigs, but anyway, they are totally fun. BuyCostumes.com has about a gazillion wigs to select from (okay, well probably closer to a thousand, but still--a lot!), so that you may either add the perfect touch to your awesome costume, or so that you may simply have the magnificent and wonderous wig you've always dreamed of. ...Like the Glowfro! You can definitely build a costume around this wig, and I'm sorry; but if you don't think this wig kicks serious--well--you know... then I just don't know what to say to you. It glows in the dark... what more could you possibly want?? In fact, just give me the Glowfro, and I will never need another wig in my life. Oh, wait, I take that back. There are just so many fantabulous wigs! And what if I want to dress like Marilyn Monroe? Or Betty Boop?? BuyCostumes.com has perfect wigs for these costumes! I could just wear the Glowfro, but then people might think I'm strange (hmmmmmmmm...). Okay, okay... I must have more wigs than just the Glowfro. Did I mention there is also a Glow-Vacious wig (looooooooooove the glow-wigs!)? Okay, enough about glow-wigs.

MULLETS!
I think there should be a mullet fest. Maybe there already is one... If so, would somebody please tell me?? Mullets are just so cool, with their business-in-front-party-in-the-back-thang-they-got-goin'-ON! At BuyCostumes.com, we've got the Mullet Perm, we've got the Old School Flat Mullet, we've got the Super Mullet in blonde and dark brown... we've even got the Mullet Wiggie for babies! Heck, yeah, Dude!

Now we all know that mullets were rockin' 'dos--and still are--but especially in the 80s, which takes me to another great category for wigs--rock n' roll! From the fifties on up, BuyCostumes has wigs for you to rock out in! Check it out.



But there's way more! BuyCostumes.com has pretty wigs, long wigs, short wigs, blondes, brunettes, red-heds, multi-colored clown wigs, super-fros... the list goes on and on. So, if you're tired of your 'do, and want to switch things up, or you just want that extra special something for your costume, come explore our wide world of wigs. You'll be glad you did!

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Halloween Costumes – Online Shopping With Your Kids

As Halloween draws nearer, so do other holidays, and with that being said, we can all agree that especially this time of year, the days and the time seem to whiz right by. Indeed, time is precious, and whether you work full time, or are home with your kids, one thing for certain is that life is busy. Before you know it, it will be time for Halloween parties and trick or treating. Do your kids have their costumes yet? You can believe that we are very busy here, at BuyCostumes.com, as well! Orders are coming in and going out like there’s no tomorrow, but the great news is that there are still plenty of excellent costumes to choose from (over 1,500 kids’ costumes), and plenty of time to ship your items to your door before Halloween. Simply click on ‘Kids Costumes’ on the menu bar of our web site.
Make It a Halloween Shopping Event

One of the great things about shopping at BuyCostumes.com with your kids is that this can be a great chance to spend some quality time together, picking out costumes and other cool things (like decorations and props) for Halloween. When it can be challenging just to carve out time for fun family activities, why waste the precious moments battling traffic and crowds at the shopping centers? Instead, how about baking some Halloween cookies or other tasty treats, have them with your hot, mulled cider, and sit together at the computer, where you can comfortably share conversations and laughs. Without all the noise and distractions to contend with in a public place, you might be surprised to find that by shopping online together, you can learn more about your child’s likes and dislikes, and general ideas. You might find, for example, that your son or daughter identifies with a particular character that is new to you, or has an interest in a certain period in history. You could find out that he or she wants to be a doctor, or even an astronaut. Who knew? Basically, it’s a chance to bond with your kids that should not be missed!

Not to mention the fact that it’s a quicker process than going out somewhere to hunt for a costume, which means that once you have all your Halloween things picked out and purchased, you can move on to the next fun thing on your list, like pumpkin carving, putting up lights, or playing a game… whatever you choose. The point is, shopping at BuyCostumes.com can be a lovely, stress-free way to simply relax and have fun with your kids.

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Election Masks - Nobody Beats the Original.

Others have tried to copy us, and we respond by simply saying that imitation is the highest form of flattery. But when it comes right down to it, pioneers are the ones who set the stage! BuyCostumes.com is very proud to not only offer the first online electoral mask poll, but hands down; the best, so don’t settle for anything less! Indeed, BuyCostumes.com Official 2008 Presidential Mask Poll is where to go to let your voice be heard! Whether you are a fan of Obama or McCain, Palin or Biden, Hilary or Huckabee, you can have your choice for the all-American great price of $0.99 (what a deal)! And you will be doing your part by participating in a poll that boasts a 100% success rate since the year 2000. Be sure to get your favorite politician now, as we count down the days to Halloween, and the hottest election in U.S. history!

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Halloween Decor Widget - new for 2008

Be sure to turn the sound on! It's "off" by default.

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BuyCostumes.com the Most Visited Costume Website

NEW YORK, NY – October 25, 2007 – The search term “hannah montana costume” was the most popular among all U.S. Internet searches that contained the phrase “costume” for the week ending October 20, 2007 according to Hitwise, the leading online competitive intelligence service.

Top U.S. Costume Searches for the 4 weeks ending 10/20/07

• hannah montana costume
• master chief costume
• pirate costume
• wonder woman costume
• little red riding hood costume
• hannah montana halloween costume
• tinkerbell costume
• pippi longstocking costume
• flapper costume
• raggedy ann costume

Note - the search term data is based on the volume of all US searches for the four weeks ending 10/20/07 from the Hitwise sample of 10 million users. Source: Hitwise

The websites receiving the most traffic from the term “hannah montana costume” were Costumzee.com, PriceGrabber.com, Celebrate Express, Target.com and Shopzilla. Other popular costume searches included Halo 3’s Master Chief, pirates, Wonder Woman, Little Red Riding Hood, and Tinkerbell. The top descriptive search terms used for Halloween costumes include perennial favorites such as sexy, funny, homemade and cool. Also among the popular descriptive searches were “cheap halloween costume ideas” which increased 305 percent and the term “adult halloween costume” which increased 336 percent versus last year.

“Retailers no longer have to guess at what the hot costumes will be for Halloween,” said Bill Tancer, general manager of global research at Hitwise. “Thanks to the availability of Internet search data, we have indications as to the most popular costumes months in advance.”

Top Visited Online Costume Retail Websites
Custom Category of Top Visited Online Costume Retail Websites
(Week ending October 20, 2007)

1
BuyCostumes.com
www.buycostumes.com
34.53%

2
Halloween Express
www.halloweenexpress.com
11.49%

3
Spirit Halloween
www.spirithalloween.com
11.19%

4
Costume Super Center
www.costumesupercenter.com
5.61%

5
AnniesCostumes.com
www.anniescostumes.com
4.88%

6
Costume Hub
www.costumehub.com
4.48%

7
Costume Craze
www.costumecraze.com
4.28%

8
Zoogster Costumes
www.zoogstercostumes.com
4.06%

9
Halloweenmart.com
www.halloweenmart.com
3.99%

10
anytimecostumes.com
www.partylounge.com
3.68%

Source: Rankings are based on U.S. market share of visits among a custom category of 22 of the leading costume websites for the week ending October 20, 2007 (Sunday – Saturday) from the Hitwise sample of 10 million U.S. Internet users. Source: Hitwise

Buycostumes.com was the most visited website amongst a custom category of 22 leading online costume retailers for the week ending October 20, 2007. The website received 34 percent of all U.S. traffic to the custom category. Following Buycostumes.com was the Halloween Express website, which received 11.5 percent of visits, and the Spirit Halloween website was next receiving 11.1 percent. Additionally, Buycostumes.com was the most visited website in the Shopping and Classifieds – Apparel and Accessories category for the same week.

Furthermore, traffic to the top 22 websites in this custom category increased 2 percent for the week ending October 20, 2007 versus the same week last year.

Weekly Hitwise Retail Index Update
Please visit our blog to see the most recent weekly update on the top 100 retail websites from the Hitwise Retail Index.

About Hitwise
Hitwise is the leading online competitive intelligence service. Only Hitwise provides its 1,400 clients around the world with daily insights on how their customers interact with a broad range of competitive websites, and how their competitors use different tactics to attract online customers.

Since 1997, Hitwise has pioneered a unique, network-based approach to Internet measurement. Through relationships with ISPs around the world, Hitwise’s patented methodology anonymously captures the online usage, search and conversion behavior of 25 million Internet users. This unprecedented volume of Internet usage data is seamlessly integrated into an easy to use, web-based service, designed to help marketers better plan, implement and report on a range of online marketing programs.

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