Creating a clever and unique Halloween costume can be quite the task, so the sooner you start brainstorming, the better. But with only a week left until October 31, days are dwindling for creative sparks to fly.
Fortunately there are a number of costume shops dedicated to Halloween, which have sprung up all over southeastern Wisconsin as early as September 1.
Even with all of its costume-selling counterparts, Bartz’s the Party Stores, a family-owned chain, still lives up to its slogan, “We are Halloween.” Bartz's Stores have been Milwaukee's area leader for party supplies for 60 years and as a kid it was where my dad took my siblings and I to pick out a costume for Sunday afternoon trick-or-treating.
After work, I stopped into the Bartz’s Party Store on North Avenue in Wauwatosa to round up a couple odds and ends as I put the finishing touches on my costume. When I was five I remember being overwhelmed by this store; much of the apparel, masks and accessories looked like they came out of my worst nightmares and the masses of people in a mad rush to purchase such horrifying costumes caused mayhem throughout the place.
Tonight the costume shop looked the same although the costumes had been updated with this year’s pop trends. Additionally, it contained just about every Halloween costume from Ghosts and Princesses to Clowns and Action Heroes plus any trinket, decoration or gory accessory desired. And because there are still a couple days until Halloween, I wasn’t shoulder to shoulder with any crazy customers.
Even though there are still many of the same costumes that I wore as a child – Snow White and M&Ms Candy – it’s interesting to see how costumes have evolved. I read somewhere that 10 years ago, pimps, fairies, Renaissance and Goth costumes didn’t even exist whereas now you can find them almost everywhere. I also wonder if costumes were as revealing 10 years ago as they are today. When you go out on Water Street to celebrate Halloween this weekend, you are guaranteed to see at least five "Sexy Little Red Riding Hoods" and at least a handful of Play Boy Bunnies. I also heard a woman approach a young Bartz’s employee asking, “Where are the sexy costumes?” – it seems they’ve become standard as well.
A man who knows all about such trends is my friend Justin, who you’ve read about in a couple of my previous posts. He is the Wauwatosa Bartz's manager. Conveniently, he was in the shop tonight, so I decided it’d be fun to play “interview” and ask him a couple questions pertaining to the store and its wares.
Me: What are the popular getups this year?
Justin: Well, it always seems that Hollywood sets the trend for Halloween costumes just like it does for Christmas toys. Just like last year, the summer blockbusters again dictate what’s hot for Halloween. For both adults and kids we’ve sold a lot of Venom costumes (the black suited Spiderman from Spiderman 3), Shrek, and of course, Captain Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Caribbean.
Me: Were there any surprises this year?
Justin: Oh yeah. There always are. We dubbed those “sleepers” because they are the ones that so-called “experts” in the industry didn’t anticipate.
For kids we’ve had requests for High School Musical, Hannah Montana and the Transformers. Plus, the sale of Harry Potter costumes have gone up again probably due to the release of the last book a couple months ago.
For adults, the big “sleepers” have been costumes from the film 300 and the TV show Ugly Betty. Our seasonal purchasing agent, Lance Miller, had to buy extra fake braces and black wigs for women who want to look like the TV show character.
Me: It’s evident that people come back to Bartz’s year after year regardless of what’s on the big screen. So, are there some costumes that are top sellers year in and year out?
Justin: Yes. I don’t think people ever get sick of angels and devils, priest and nuns, witches, vampires, or cops and robbers. I like the classics.
Me: Being the Halloween costume expert you are, Justin, how do you choose your costume each year?
Justin: It’s a little easier for me since I work at a costume store. I usually go for something out of the ordinary. I like to surprise people. I tend to use things that I already have laying around the house and then buy accessories. The little details are what make it a success.
Justin also informed me about C.A.P.E., the Halloween shopper’s guide to creating a costume. Now, he didn’t mean that everything you buy has to have a cape; he was referring to the acronym that stands for Concept, Accessories, Personality and Execution. “That’s all you have to remember when shopping for a costume,” he said.
So there you have it, folks. Now you know what getups are hip this Halloween according to our friends at Bartz’s the Party Stores. And if you want to be a little more creative, you also know how to construct your own, unique costume by using our new favorite acronym. Now all that’s left for you to do is get that costume together and have a happy Halloween!
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Bartz’s the Party Stores
197th & Bluemound Rd., Brookfield (262) 797-8830
Hwy 100 & Edgerton, Greenfield (414) 529-0301
N96W18743 County Line Road, Menomonee Falls (262) 251-5202
69th & North Ave., Wauwatosa (414) 453-5252
Open weekdays 9:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Saturdays 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. and Sundays 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
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If you don’t know what to wear for Halloween yet, here are some more places to look for that one-of-a-kind costume:
A-Hem Clothing Company
1625 E. Irving Pl., (414) 975-4538
Annie's Second Hand Chic
1668 N. Warren Ave., (414) 727-5586
Closet Classics Caffeine and Clothing
1000 E. North Ave., (414) 265-1950
Dime a Dance
N70 W6340 Bridge Rd., Cedarburg, (262) 377-5054
1134 S. 1st St., (414) 383-0655
Dragonfly Vintage Goods & Gifts
1117 E. Brady St., (414) 271-1244
Fischberger's
2445 N. Holton St., (414) 263-1991
Goodwill Stores
(414) 353-7900
Graveyard Records and Collectables
4727 South Packard Avenue, Cudahy, (414) 486-1751
Halloween Express
(2007 temporary store locations)
Brookfield 17300 Bluemound Rd., (262) 784-1360
Glendale Bayshore Mall - 5800 W Bayshore Drive
Greenfield 4251 S 27th Street, (414) 282-9640
Hales Corners 5319 South 108th Street, (414) 425-7008
Milwaukee 4251 S 27th Street, (414) 282-9640
Racine 3915 Durand Ave, (262) 598-8569
West Allis State Fair Park, 500 S 84th Street, (414) 453-1723
Hugs & Kisses Party Supplies
3215 Douglas Ave., Racine, (262) 752-4174
Jackpot
825 E. Center St., (414) 372-2884
Joke Shop
265 W. Main St., Waukesha, (262) 544-5678
Kim's Costumes
7211 W. Greenfield Ave., (414) 453-3976
Luv Unlimited
2649 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., (414) 744-2540
Marge's Costume Shop
6300 W. Greenfield Ave., (414) 774-8120
Marlene's Touch of Class
2929 S. 13th St., (414) 272-2470
Miller and Campbell Costume Service
907 S. 1st St., (414) 671-6227
Niche Style/Sound
1922 E. Park Pl., (414) 964-5417
Spirit Halloween
(2007 temporary store locations), (800) COSTUME
Hales Corners, 5720 S 108th St
Racine, 5509 Durand Ave.
South Milwaukee, 2983 S Chicago Ave
Wauwatosa, 2855 N Mayfair Rd
The Secret Attic
17047 W. Greenfield Ave., New Berlin, (262) 796-0991
Tip Top Atomic Shop
2343 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., (414) 486-1951
Vieux et Nouveau
1688 N. Franklin Pl., (414) 287-9049
Wee Imagine
8625 S. Market Pl., Oak Creek, (414) 581-4502
Yellow Jacket
1237 E. Brady St., (414) 372-4744
Great info for helping me find that right costume. Thanks.
Posted by: Glenn | October 23, 2007 at 07:52 AM
Closet Classics has a great selection of Halloween accessories. I went there last year and got a tommy gun for my gangster costume. Until then, I never figured a vintage clothing store would have much for costumes. Check it out.
Posted by: Amanda | October 23, 2007 at 02:55 PM
What's the most popular costume this year? I heard it was Paris Hilton in the orange jail suit. Anyone dressing up their pets for Halloween? My dog dressed up like a witch one year and we collected $60. in an hour for UNICEF. That was fun.
Posted by: Char | October 23, 2007 at 11:45 PM
Yeah so I have about two days to come up with a costume before a Halloween party on Saturday. Hmmmm...good luck right.
Posted by: Melanie | October 24, 2007 at 03:35 PM
Melanie, I was in your boat last year. I went as a "smarty pants" by stapling Smarties to my jeans. Although it wasn't very cool, I thought it was humorous. I'm sure if you'd ask, people would share some ideas with you on here... Just a thought.
What the heck, I'll give you some suggestions for a slapdash costume regardless.
1. Lunch Lady: Wear a hairnet, smock, rubber gloves and 50s style glasses. Carry around a soup spoon.
2. Werewolf: Find old jeans and a flannel shirt from someone's closet (someone you know preferably) and rips holes into them. Then, buy face paint and some fake fur and go nuts.
3. Mona Lisa: Wear a long black wig and black robe. Find an old picture frame to carry around as well.
4. Babysitter: Strap a baby doll to your behind and sit on it.
5. Nudist on Strike: Dress in normal clothes and carry a sign that says "Nudist on Strike."
I know these ideas are kind of goofy, but I hope they help to at least spark some ideas. Have fun at the party!
Posted by: Karen | October 24, 2007 at 04:32 PM
Char- Trick-or-treating for UNICEF is a great idea. How nice of you!
I think I'm going to paint Lucy (my black cat) to look like a skunk for Halloween...
Posted by: Karen | October 24, 2007 at 04:45 PM
Haha! What great costume ideas, Karen! I'd love to see someone actually go as your suggested "babysitter." Classic.
Posted by: Amanda | October 25, 2007 at 03:39 PM
Great article!
I am heading out tonight and will be making a few stops at some of your recommended places, and probably St. Vinnie's as well.
Thanks for the tips!
I especially like the nudist on strike. It's up there with the conservative prostitute look.
Posted by: Scott | October 25, 2007 at 05:48 PM
I'm going to pass the costume ideas to friends. I like the babysitter and nudist on strike.
Posted by: fretta | October 25, 2007 at 06:00 PM
Scott and Fretta-
I'm glad you liked my costume ideas. Good luck finding yours!
Posted by: Karen | October 26, 2007 at 12:00 PM
I've been trying to think of a costume for weeks now, and I'd half-decided to go as myself 15 years ago... But I'm definitely taking your suggestion of "nudist on strike." Perfect. :)
Posted by: Kristin | October 28, 2007 at 11:37 PM