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King of Pop is king of Halloween costumes this season

Staff photo by CLOE CABRERA

Superhero costumes like the Spidey suit Mateus Demesquita snagged are popular for boys this year.

By CLOE CABRERA | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 16, 2009

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TAMPA - For Amanda Nicholas, Halloween isn't just about dressing up; it's about trying to be a little different.

"I'm really looking for something I won't see too many other people wearing," said Nicholas, 36, of Tampa, who is going to a Halloween house party this year. "I usually wait until the last minute, but this year I'm starting early."

After perusing some photographs at Party City in Carrollwood, Nicholas was no closer to finding her costume.

"There's so much to choose from," the brunette said as she eyed a long blonde wig. "This would be different."

Halloween shopping is in full swing in the Bay area, but one of the best-selling costumes nationwide -- vampires -- isn't necessarily tops in shops here.

At Party City, the guys are still into pirates and superheroes; Captain Jack Sparrow of "Pirates of the Caribbean" and the Dark Knight from "Watchmen" are popular. For the ladies, it's pretty much anything that's sexy and short -- Dorothy from the "Wizard of Oz" in a short dress and thigh-high stockings, or Little Red Riding Hood in a short skirt and plunging neckline.

Michael Jackson costumes also are big, red pleather "Thriller" jacket and sequined glove included. But if you haven't gotten the trademark geri curls, you may be too late. The curly do from the King of Pop's "Thriller" era already has sold out.

"Wherever you go, you're going to see people dressed like Michael Jackson," said Party City sales associate Jennifer Rivera. "People just love him."

Of course, little girls always want to be princesses, mermaids and anything Disney. They also want to kick some butt this Halloween: Superhero costumes, including Wonder Woman and Supergirl, are flying off the shelves.

For the boys, Transformers are in. So are G.I. Joe, Spider-Man and Batman.

Funny and quirky costumes -- condiments (mustard or ketchup) and fashion-challenged tourists, for example – also are popular.

National retail figures show that sales of nurse costumes have dropped way down -- maybe because people are tired of hearing about health care reform, National Retail Federation President and CEO Tracy Mullin said in a statement.

But that doesn't include sexy nurses in short dresses.

"Sexy is always in for Halloween," Rivera said. "If it's short, it's popular."

Politician costumes also have lost favor nationwide, and Barack Obama masks didn't make the retail federation's most popular list this year.

"Last year, he (Obama) did really well," said Junior Dearmas, a sales associate.

Michael Jackson, Wolverine, Terminator, Batman, Transformers and G.I. Joe are the favorites at Features Costumes and Bead Barn in South Tampa, said J.B. Mason, assistant general manager.

But customers are snatching up holiday-related costumes, too, including Old Saint Nick and the Easter Bunny. "People want to be different, so these costumes are selling well," Mason said.

The Wooden Nickel in Tampa usually doesn't see a rush of shoppers until the week before Halloween, General Manager Steve Neinsen said. Sales and clearance costumes, including gangsters, witches, ballplayers and Arab sheiks, seem to be the biggest draw right now.

"We see a lot of people browsing and coming back," he said. "I think the economy is weighing heavily on purchases this year."

Pretty and scary were on the minds of Cecelia Demesquita and Ari Glovaski. The friends shopped for costumes Tuesday for themselves and their children at Party City.

The only one sure of his selection was Mateus Demesquita, 4, who grabbed a Spider-Man costume and never let go.

Cecelia Demesquita liked sexy Dorothy; then spotted a ladybug costume for herself and daughter Amanda, 6. Amanda tried on a "High School Musical" getup, but also eyed a child's Dorothy costume.

It was too hard to make just one choice, Demesquita said. "We're going to have to come back."

Reporter Cloe Cabrera can be reached at (813) 259-7656 or ccabrera@tampatrib.com.