Steampunk, Jersey Shore and 80s Retro Top Iowa City Halloween Costume Purchases

With Halloween right around the corner, the search is on in Iowa City for the perfect costume that delights or horrifies. Or both.

While the old stand-bys of flapper, zombie, pirate, old bag lady and sex kitten are always popular, each year brings new ideas, like Steampunk accessories, said Second Act Owner, Melissa Williams.

“A lot of it depends on what current movie trends are out - last year it was ‘Alice in Wonderland,’” she said. “We’ve also sold a lot of Medusa, flappers and gangsters.”

Steampunk, which is Victorian meets science fiction, fantasty and alternate reality, is one of the trends Williams has been watching fly off the shelves. 1980s style Jazzersize leotards and leg warmers are also hot items at the consignment store, located at 538 Olympic Court, off Boyrum Street south of the Waterfront HyVee.

Emily Qual, the manager of Halloween Hallway, a seasonal business located downtown in the old Vortex space, at 211 E. Washington St., said she has seen quite a few Jersey Shore get-ups sell since her store opened for business.

She also said that people are being more creative than just doing costume by numbers.

“I’ve noticed a lot of people looking for TV characters, trying to compile elements on their own rather than looking for a stock theme,” she said.

Both Halloween Hallway and Second Act contain the more adult humor prepackaged Halloween costumes ranging from $40 to $100, like the Fire Extinguisher, Tea Bag or Bun Warmer contraptions. More traditional characters like Spider Man or the cast of Family Man are also plentiful – even an American Gothic painting costume comes prepackaged.

Some people, like University of Iowa Graduate Student Shannin Zivian, hit the stores with an open mind.

“I’m throwing a party and the theme is nightmare prom,” Zivian said, while perusing the wig section at Halloween Hallway. “Costume ideas are really what I’m looking for.”

Qual said that comfort is also big this year.

“A lot of ladies are looking for something they’ll feel comfortable in, something kind of fun and funky,” she said.

Julie Bartel, a volunteer at Crowded Closet, at 1213 Gilbert Court, said they have a rack of mostly kids’ Halloween costumes starting at $2, but many simply pick and choose from the thrift store to create their own outfits.

“We carry very inexpensive parts for a great Halloween costume,” she said, adding she had just sold a purple wig. “Another checker just sold about $120 worth of Halloween costume parts and they were not things from the actual Halloween costume display.”

Besides the multiple rooms full of complete costumes available to rent for the night, Williams said another benefit of buying from Second Act is that many of their costumes are authentic, with vintage articles of clothing available to buy outright.

“We have lots and lots of historical period pieces people have brought to us for the last 30 years, like the real prairie skirts and the real bonnets from the 1800s,” she said. “So it’s fun because people can be creative. They come in and want to be Amelia Earhart, so they start grabbing things like a bomber scarf and coat that has actually been worn. It’s not like a synthetic, prepackaged one. It’s real.”

Masks and hats are also a simple way to get in the Halloween spirit.

Both stores have hundreds to choose from, ranging from of Barrack and Michelle Obama to bumble bees.

“Iowa City is really creative,” Cual said. “I think a lot of people really get into Halloween here, from my experience.

What are you planning on dressing up as for Halloween? Tell us in the Comments section.