Are you a superhero or a zombie? A minion or a princess? Whatever you are (or want to be), there are plenty of places around to help you realize your Halloween alter ego. Besides the obvious retailers such as Walmart and Target, there are many costume options to be found at seasonal and specialty stores and thrift shops.
New to Hawaii this year is Spirit, a pop-up store by Spencer Gifts. The company has two locations on Oahu: one at the Gentry Pacific Design Center on Nimitz Highway and the other at the old Blockbuster by Kahala Mall.
Spirit is best described as a one-stop shop for all things ghouls and goblins. Besides aisle upon aisle of ready-to-wear costumes, the stores has masks, wigs, makeup, props and other accessories, along with decorations, including creepy animatronics.
Spirit is big on clowns this Halloween, as evidenced by the sinister jokester get-ups near the storefront. However, staff at the Nimitz location, which is open for a two-month stint, said zombies again are expected to be a top seller thanks to the Brad Pitt movie "World War Z" and the AMC series "The Walking Dead." Superheroes will be big as well.
Down the street from Spirit is Flora Dec Sales, which carries costumes ranging from typical packaged sets to outfits priced at more than $100, such as a full vampire suit complete with fabric cape. Pet costumes, a rising trend in the booming Halloween trade, also are offered.
Americans are expected to spend $2.6 billion on Halloween costumes this year and $6.9 billion in total Halloween spending, according to a National Retail Federation survey.
Those looking to put together a Halloween ensemble on a budget can try Savers and other thrift stores.
Employees at the Kalihi Savers set up a "catwalk" every Thursday at 3 p.m. to display new and old costumes, as well as ways to incorporate other items at the store into your spooktacular wardrobe.
According to a Savers survey, popular group costumes this year include the Robertson clan from "Duck Dynasty," the royals (William, Kate and baby George) and "Kimye" (Kanye West, Kim Kardashian and baby North).
The year-round Costume Closet in Kaimuki has a large selection for sale or rent. Kharolina Costumes, also in Kaimuki, rents out handmade, original and period costumes, most in the $50-to-$100 range.
The shop is available by appointment throughout the year but is open afternoons in October.
For a more theatrical look, head to Diamond Head Theatre, where the costume shop rents out outfits from its productions.
"Men are always pirates and vikings, and Roman guards," said DHT costume director Karen Wolfe. "Women always ask for princesses or ballet dancers."
Many of the theater’s rentals are one-of-a-kind. Prices range from $25 for clown costumes to $80 for a full Captain Hook outfit. A security deposit is required.
"Bring your imagination and your credit card," said Wolfe.
The theater rents out costumes on a limited basis year-round, but the costume shop has extended hours starting Oct. 21.
SPECIALTY/SEASONAL STORES
>> Spirit: Gentry Pacific Design Center, 560 N. Nimitz Highway (536-4912) and 4137 Waialae Ave. (737-4912), spirithalloween.com
Hours: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, noon to 6 p.m. Sundays
>> Party City: Waikele Center, 94-799 Lumiaina St. (671-3133) and 888 N. Nimitz Highway (599-7591), partycity.com
Hours: 9:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays
>> Flora Dec Sales: 373 N. Nimitz Highway, 537-6194, floradec.com
Hours: 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays (except Wednesdays), 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Wednesdays, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Sundays
>> The Costume Closet: (rentals available) 3007 Lincoln Ave., 739-1355, thecostumeclosethawaii.com
Hours: (call to confirm) 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, noon-4 p.m. Sundays
THRIFT STORES
>> Savers: 1505 Dillingham Blvd. (842-0061) and 94-300 Farrington Highway, Waipahu (671-0071), savers.com
Hours: Monday-Saturday 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays (7 p.m. at Waipahu location)
>> Goodwill: Locations in Honolulu, Kaimuki, Kapolei, Pearl City, Wahiawa, Waipahu, Hilo, Kona and Kahu*lui; higoodwill.org
Hours: Vary
>> Moiliili Thrift Store: 2535 S. King St., 942-0595
Hours: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays
RENTALS
>> Diamond Head Theatre: 520 Makapuu Ave., 733-0277, diamondheadtheatre.com
Hours: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays (year-round); 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays, Oct. 21-Nov. 1
>> Kharolina Costumes: 1059 12th Ave., 732-3423, 721-7559, kharolina.com
Hours: 2-7 p.m. daily in October
