Article Contributed on: 10/23/2007 2:12:14 PM
All those larger-than-life characters on the silver screen are having a major influence on what people are choosing for their costumes this year, according to employees of local costume shops.
Among the hottest costumes: the Spartan gladiator outfits that were adorned in the movie
300, and, of course, the swashbuckler garb from the
Pirates of the Caribbean franchise.
"The whole barbaric look is really big right now," said
Cherry Gott, owner of Gott-A-Costume, located at 10158 S. Parker Road, in Parker.
Youngsters also are emulating their favorite characters, especially the Transformers and Harry Potter outfits, Gott said.
"Those seem to be the most popular with the kids," she said.
Jim Cammack, market coordinator of the Halloween Express store at Park Meadows Mall, agrees that the Transformer costume has been a big hit, but added that some of the superhero stalwarts, such as Superman, Spider-Man and The Incredibles, also are holding their own.
"Those are always good sellers," he said. "Those do well for the older kids as well as for the adults."
Chris Reinke, co-owner of Reinke Bros. costume shop, 5663 S. Prince St., in Littleton, said shops begin purchasing their costumes in March and often look to the summer blockbuster movies for guidance.
While movie characters have always been popular, the biggest change in costumes has been a move toward the sexy costumes for the ladies, he said.
"The costumes for women have gotten a little skimpier," he said. "That keeps progressing every year."
Most costume shop owners say business this year has been off to a slow start, which Reinke attributes to the success of the Colorado Rockies.
"It's definitely impacted us, there's no doubt about it," he said. "I think people are waiting to get a little closer to Halloween, because they're watching the games."
Gott agrees.
"It's a slow start," she said, "but we're expecting a huge finish."