Truly scary: Hollywood haunts Halloween wear

By Paula Rath
Advertiser Fashion Writer

Shirley Avina, 7 months old, holds Grandma Shirley Criado's hand while trying a "Crypt Creature" costume on for size at the Spirit Halloween Superstore in Fresno, Calif. Associated Press

Sassy magazine and Macy's say the hottest-selling Halloween costumes this year are Spiderman, The Hulk, Catwoman, Wonderwoman, Gandolf (and the perennial favorite, a wizard), Pirates of the Caribbean and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Marilyn Sue of Wal-Mart reports that Hollywood is hot there as well. The faves? Kikaida and Harry Potter.

What's flying out the door at Sears in Ala Moana Center? Adults are buying The Matrix costumes, while kids are clamoring for Elmo and the animated M&Ms.

Party City in Waikele Center reports their most popular costumes for girls are Disney princesses (Snow White, Aurora and Cinderella) and anything to do with Barbie. The boys want to dress up as Ninja turtles, characters from Lord of the Rings and Power Rangers.

If you prefer a less predictable, more custom costume, Bailey's Antiques in Kapahulu and the costume shop of Diamond Head Theatre have plenty of offerings.

At Bailey's, the store specializing in aloha shirts and kitschy Hawaiiana the rest of the year becomes a Halloween haven during the last two weeks in October, offering more than 1,000 costumes.

Bari-Ellen Bailey has a background in costume design and goes all out at Halloween. Although they do have a sale rack under their tents erected especially for the season, most of the costumes are rentals.

Bailey enjoys taking "real clothes, like a gypsy skirt or scrubs or a nurse's uniform, and embellishing it with lace or something to make it sexy. Women like to be sexy at Halloween." She has created Carmen Miranda fruit-embellished hats as well as a collection of wigs of all kinds, from Afros to flips.

Bailey anticipates flappers, belly dancers and genies will be big for 2003. Rentals start at $20 and go up, up, up.

At Prosperity Corner in Kaimuki, owner dj Colbert can cook up nearly any costume you care to imagine. All costumes are for purchase, not for rental, and cost $62 and up. Sexy witch costumes with black miniskirts that flare out like the Flying Nun and sexy angels in red and black or all white, including little lace boots with maribou trim, are popular.

Karen Wolfe, the costume shop manager at Diamond Head Theatre, specializes in putting together unusual and dramatic ensembles. Whether you want to be Velma or Roxy from the musical "Chicago," a Winkie from the Wizard of Oz or a swashbuckling pirate from "Pirates of the Caribbean," Wolfe and her staff can create a look for you to rent. The costumes are all adult-sized and cost from $15 for an accessory to $80 for a complete outfit.

The theater's costume shop has extended hours through Nov. 1: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Mondays through Saturdays. Phone: 733-0277, ext. 2.