Shop for costumes at a different kind of Boo-tique

By Becky Newby
Arts & Entertainment Editor

Don’t let the cost of dressing up for Halloween scare you.

While Halloween consumers between the ages of 18 and 24 plan to spend an average of $34 on their costumes, financially strapped college students may want to find a cheaper option.
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Local thrift shops are the perfect place to purchase low-priced items. Not only will you find a show-stopping getup, you will be helping those in need throughout the Winona community.

Most people associate thrift shops with outdated trends and messy racks packed with scary, acid-wash jeans. A trip to the Winona Volunteer Service Clothes Shop will prove these assumptions false.

The Clothes Shop serves a variety of needs in the Winona Community and provides inexpensive used clothing for both families and individuals. With over 5,000 clothing transactions annually, a new selection is put out daily with prices ranging from 25 cents to two dollars.

To get some costume ideas, the National Retail Federation (NRF) has devised a list of top costume choices for 2007. This list overwhelmingly notes traditional favorites such as witches, pirates, vampires, cats and clowns.

NRF President and CEO Tracy Mullin said, “When it comes to dressing for Halloween, traditional costumes never go out of style.” But last year 34 percent of adults dressed up for Halloween and over six million of them chose to be the same thing, a witch.

Since young adults are willing to spend nearly twice as much on costumes than on Halloween candy, retailers have altered their merchandise assortment to appeal to the younger consumer base, said Vice President of Strategy for BIGresearch Phil Rist.

“In order to please consumers of all ages, retailers have begun stocking their shelves with a wide variety of costumes, from classic favorites to pop-culture icons,” said Mullin.

On Halloween, we are encouraged to dress scary, sexy, freaky or just plain weird, but every year we go to a Halloween party only to discover there is someone dressed exactly the same way.

Why are we willing to spend money on a costume that comes in a pre-packed box, only to look like everyone else?

This year, save your money, support a great cause and only use those top costume lists as a guide for what not to wear this Halloween.

Costume Ideas:
Bride: Many people donate their wedding dresses to thrift shops. By making a few tears and putting on a little makeup, you can transform into the bride of Frankenstein.
Army Person: Army jackets are a common item to be found at a thrift store. Just add some green pants and a green shirt to complete the look.
A Bunch of Grapes: Find an old purple sweatshirt and some purple sweatpants, then attach purple balloons with safety pins. Paint your face and hands purple too.
Tourist: Find a loud Hawaii shirt and a large straw hat if you’re a boy. Girls, find a bright, loud dress, flats, big sun hat and a straw bag. Then find some jeans or shorts with some comfortable shoes. For a great accessory, hang an old-school camera around your neck.
1960s Flower Child: Look for long flowing skirts and fancy-looking tops with beads if you’re a girl. Boys, look for some bell-bottomed jeans and a concert t-shirt.