Classic Costumes Reign for Halloween

There are just two weeks to go until all sorts of ghosts, goblins, princesses and more start knocking on doors in search of tricks and treats. While Halloween seems to be geared towards kids, it is without a doubt the favorite holiday of many adults as well. For one day, people can choose to be anything or anyone else they want. Patch headed over to Spirit Halloween on West Main Road, one of 800 pop-up Halloween stores across the country, to find the hottest costumes in town this year.

According to Dan Mathis, Northeast Zone Manager for Spirit Halloween, many classic costumes such as pirates, princesses and vampires continue to be hot sellers this year. He tells us the best seller for girls is always princesses. In addition to their classic princess costumes and full array of Disney princess costumes, this year Spirit Halloween is offering light up princess costumes with lights within the skirts.

For boys, Mathis says that the Marvel characters Spiderman and Iron Man have been very popular. Characters from the Toy Story movie series have also been selling well, and the store has cut-outs of Toy Story characters Buzz Lightyear, Woody, and Jessie in which children can put their head in for a photo so they can "be" the characters. The Star Wars themes costumes are also doing well in the boys section and Spirit Halloween has a promotion going for a free Darth Vader trick or treat bucket to go with those costumes. Ninja and pirate costumes are consistently popular. Older boys are also enjoying the new scary clown section of the store with a wide array of masks. Anything horror themed the boys seem to be drawn to.

Spirit Halloween's largest section in the store is the sexy costumes for women, a consistently popular category for younger women according to Mathis. These costumes range from firewoman to nurses to sailors and more, but all with a much shorter hemline. The store also has full length women's costumes. For both men and woman, Mathis says that the classic costumes of pirates, vampires, ancient Roman characters, 80's rockers, and hippies continue to be popular.

Also popular are the couples costumes. In addition to the classic pirates, wizards and warlocks, this year people are trending towards the men's and women's CSI and highway patrol costumes. Spirit Halloween couldn't make it easier to shop for a couples costume because they place the coordinating costumes right next to each other on the displays in the couples section.

Spirit Halloween also has ample options for people to get creative and create their own costume masterpiece. With a huge mask section, lots of make-up, wigs, boots and more, there is literally something for everyone. And don't forget that you can dress up your house too. The store has everything from fog machines and tombstones to inflatables and skeletons.  

Mathis says, "Our store is different than other stores because we create an in store experience."

Spirit Halloween also gives back. Each of their 800 stores participates in their charity, "The Spirit of Children", which pairs a store with a hospital. The stores collect donations to go directly towards the hospital's life activity center for children.

"What we give them often exceeds their budget," says Mathis.

In three years, "The Spirit of Children" has raised over $1 million dollars. They also bring a party to each hospital and along with their vendors donate a costume to every child in the hospital. The funds raised by the Middletown store will go to Shriners Hospital in Boston.

You can also check out their complete selection online at www.spirithalloween.com before heading into the store. The store will be open until November 1.