Millions of Americans have stormed department stores, malls and seasonal emporiums this month on a quest for the perfect Halloween garb for trick-or-treating or, in the case of Southern Miss students, partying. Caricatures of celebrities such as Charlie Sheen, Katy Perry and Lady Gaga are among the top trends this Halloween, according to a bevy of surveys across the "interwebs."
Since September, Spirit of Halloween, a year-round online retailer, has opened a total of 970 stores across the United States, including one location in Hattiesburg. Spirit acts as a seasonal branch of Spencer's, a nationwide chain specializing in novelty items and apparel.
The National Retail Federation reported that this year Americans are predicted to spend $2.5 billion on costumes alone. The NRF notes that $1.2 billion of that total will be spent on adult costumes.
So, what costumes are customers buying for Halloween 2011?
Although booted from Two and a Half Men earlier this year, actor and America's favorite train wreck, Charlie Sheen, is "winning" the race on this season's most purchased costume. Spirit houses all supplies needed to impersonate the Sheenster—latex masks, sunglasses and shirts that say "Winning" or "Wild Thing" –Sheen's character's nickname from the sports classic, Major League.
Lady Gaga's "Little Monsters" are in luck this season. Ranging from her rubber, flesh-toned get-up from this year's Grammy Awards to 2009's Bad Romance VMA bloody crop top and hot pants, all of which are available for sale on the pop singer's website.
Another songstress making the rounds for Halloween is Amy Winehouse. After the loss of Winehouse this year, many are paying tribute to her by choosing to emulate the deceased soul singer by donning beehive wigs and assorted tattoos.
Snooki and the rest of the fist-pumping Jersey Shore cast are also a force to be reckoned with this Halloween. Various blogs have offered tutorials on tips for morphing into the orange-hued, teased poof train wrecks that live inside us all.
Thanks to the year's biggest sex scandal, Anthony Weiner, the former New York Congressman who sent inappropriate photos via sexting, is an alternative costume option for those who like to keep it political. Various online costume venders are offering a Weiner mask for $25, complete with a pair of blue boxer shorts and a "white-t."
InStyle.com offers users ideas for creating a grab-bag of celebrity costume "how-to's," including media figures Duchess Catherine and Prince William, Nicki Minaj and the cast of The Real Housewives of New Jersey.
As previously reported by The Huffington Post, a Kim Kardashian costume is available for consumers via BuyCostumes.com. The description on the online retailer's website lists the various "accessories" that accompany the Kardashian caricature.
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