For kids, it is a chance to escape into the realm of fantasy, where they can be bad little devils, spoiled princesses or fearless heroes who aren't told "no" at every agile turn.

A look at the costumes on shelves and racks this year as halloween approaches shows a collection heavy on pirates and princesses, but with a few noteworthy additions.

For children

The darlings of the animation world continue to dominate the children's costume category this year. Disney capitalizes on its successful franchise players such as Snow White, Ariel the mermaid and Cinderella. There also are the Bratz characters, SpongeBob SquarePants, Hello Kitty and the usual cast of superheroes.

Big this year, following the success of the movie sequel, is Spider-Man.

Most Spider-Man suits come sewn with faux-muscle padding to give little Jimmy a beefier look. The same goes for the "muscle chest" Batman.

Harry Potter continues to cast his spell on young minds and deep pocketbooks. You can even find a red Quidditch robe sporting Harry's school colors.

On the more generic side, witches of every ilk, princesses in pink and ivory, vampires and ghouls, and police and firemen all still fill the shelves.

Parents can expect to spend about $16 to $30 for most costumes. The price range allows for the marketing of a "deluxe" version of the same costume. Sure, that princess outfit is pretty enough, but wouldn't you really rather have the one with the velvet bodice, gold trim and poofy sleeves (tiara sold separately)?

Of course, frugal parents still will surf the aisles and then go home and fire up the sewing machine. Just remember that some unfortunate costumes, and the ensuing humiliation they cause, can haunt those poor youngsters for years. Not that we're pointing fingers.

Political disguises

With Halloween just two days before the presidential election, you can count on seeing a lot of political costumes. Most involve a mask paired with a dark suit, but don't rush out assuming that the whole bipartisan spectrum will be hanging on the costume-shop wall. While some stores give equal space to the candidates, others hedge.

"I ordered twice as many Bush masks as Kerry," says costume rental merchant Ginger Ecton of Nashville, Tenn., as she makes more of an economic statement than a political one. The Bush masks will have more longevity, even if he loses. A Clinton mask, albeit one with lipstick marks and a lolling tongue, remains popular. If Kerry loses, though, you're stuck with a slow seller. Witness the Newt Gingrich mask still on the wall.

For adults

When procrastination is the mother of invention, a homemade outfit is not far behind. Many people enjoy turning to clever wordplay for their costumes, creating visual puns. For example, a small undergarment-strewn table on your shoulders and a lamp-shade on your head turns you into a "one-night stand." Or don a pair of red horns and a tight blue dress and you're a "devil with a blue dress on."

To rent or to buy?

If you are going for authenticity, your best bet is to rent. There is a huge leap in quality, but you'll also pay more. Rentals run anywhere from $25 to $150 for the full Liberace. Of course, you can spend even more by accessorizing.