You don't have to spend a fortune to look great on Halloween
By Earl Horlyk | Posted: Sunday, October 26, 2008
Something as simple as a hat could be the foundation for a great Halloween costume says Carrie Blanchard, an employee at the Dowry Costumes and More in Sioux City. (Staff photo by Tim Hynds)
SIOUX CITY -- In tough economic times, do people want more "boo" for the buck?
According to a recent National Retail Federation (NRF) survey, the average consumer will shell out $66.54 on Halloween this year. That's up from $64.82 spent for the holiday last year.
In fact, total spending for Halloween 2008 is expected to reach $5.77 billion.
People usually spend most of their menacing moolah on costumes ($24.17, according to the NRF). That's a whole lotta green dedicated to All Hallow's Eve.
Diane Widner doesn't want her customers to scream when they see their Halloween bills. That's why Widner, owner of the Dowry Costumes & More, has some money saving costuming tips that will make this holiday a little less ghoulish.
1) Make-up makes the maniac
"The easiest Halloween get-ups can be accomplished with just a little face make-up," Widner said. "Wanna be a corpse? Boom! Buy a little make-up! Wanna be a zombie? Boom! Nothing could be easier. Make-up is so amazing, you may not even need a costume!"
2) Mix and match so you'll stash some cash
"Buy a wig from a store," Widner suggested. "Then, combine it with something homemade."
Your family's closet may be a treasure trove for funny, funky, or otherwise frightening clothing. But don't fear. They're also free.
For instance, a simple fedora and bomber jacket is all you'll need to become a ready-made Indiana Jones on the lookout for "The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull."
"Accessories can really add panache to an ordinary costume," Widner said. "If you're going as a pirate, don't forget the finishing touches."
Inexpensive costume jewelry, either purchased from Widner's store or ransacked from a woman's jewelry box, is an easy way to get in touch with your inner Jack Sparrow.
3) Establishing the proper "boo" 'tude
"You need to know your intent," Widner said. "Do you want to be sexy or funny or scary? Do you want people to recognize you or do you want to be completely anonymous?"
For anonymity, Widner suggests a mask.
In time for the presidential election, the Dowry has a ready supply of Obama and McCain masks. They also have wigs that suggest Sarah Palin's upswept hairdo.
Conventional clothes can easily accompany such masks.
"We also have masks of characters like 'Batman''s Joker," Widner said, chuckling. "Don't know if many people have a purple suit hanging in their closet. But if you do, you'll have the total look."
4) Don't howl, haggle!
"That's the advantage the Dowry has over other stores," Widner said. "We're not a Halloween store. We're open year-'round so we're able to make special deals with our customers."
To that extent, the Dowry keeps a wide range of close-out costumes as well as clothes meant strictly for rental.
"People think renting a costume is expensive," Widner said. "While they're more elaborate and demands more upkeep from us, some are quite reasonable."
Best of all, they can be returned immediately after the holiday. Be honest, you really don't want that giant M&M costume hanging in your closet forever, do you?
"The nice thing about rental costumes is that they're good for the environment," Widner said.
"They're reasonably priced plus they're reusable. You can save the planet and save a little cash at the same time," she added with a laugh. "What can be better than that?"
According to a recent National Retail Federation (NRF) survey, the average consumer will shell out $66.54 on Halloween this year. That's up from $64.82 spent for the holiday last year.
In fact, total spending for Halloween 2008 is expected to reach $5.77 billion.
People usually spend most of their menacing moolah on costumes ($24.17, according to the NRF). That's a whole lotta green dedicated to All Hallow's Eve.
Diane Widner doesn't want her customers to scream when they see their Halloween bills. That's why Widner, owner of the Dowry Costumes & More, has some money saving costuming tips that will make this holiday a little less ghoulish.
1) Make-up makes the maniac
"The easiest Halloween get-ups can be accomplished with just a little face make-up," Widner said. "Wanna be a corpse? Boom! Buy a little make-up! Wanna be a zombie? Boom! Nothing could be easier. Make-up is so amazing, you may not even need a costume!"
2) Mix and match so you'll stash some cash
"Buy a wig from a store," Widner suggested. "Then, combine it with something homemade."
Your family's closet may be a treasure trove for funny, funky, or otherwise frightening clothing. But don't fear. They're also free.
For instance, a simple fedora and bomber jacket is all you'll need to become a ready-made Indiana Jones on the lookout for "The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull."
"Accessories can really add panache to an ordinary costume," Widner said. "If you're going as a pirate, don't forget the finishing touches."
Inexpensive costume jewelry, either purchased from Widner's store or ransacked from a woman's jewelry box, is an easy way to get in touch with your inner Jack Sparrow.
3) Establishing the proper "boo" 'tude
"You need to know your intent," Widner said. "Do you want to be sexy or funny or scary? Do you want people to recognize you or do you want to be completely anonymous?"
For anonymity, Widner suggests a mask.
In time for the presidential election, the Dowry has a ready supply of Obama and McCain masks. They also have wigs that suggest Sarah Palin's upswept hairdo.
Conventional clothes can easily accompany such masks.
"We also have masks of characters like 'Batman''s Joker," Widner said, chuckling. "Don't know if many people have a purple suit hanging in their closet. But if you do, you'll have the total look."
4) Don't howl, haggle!
"That's the advantage the Dowry has over other stores," Widner said. "We're not a Halloween store. We're open year-'round so we're able to make special deals with our customers."
To that extent, the Dowry keeps a wide range of close-out costumes as well as clothes meant strictly for rental.
"People think renting a costume is expensive," Widner said. "While they're more elaborate and demands more upkeep from us, some are quite reasonable."
Best of all, they can be returned immediately after the holiday. Be honest, you really don't want that giant M&M costume hanging in your closet forever, do you?
"The nice thing about rental costumes is that they're good for the environment," Widner said.
"They're reasonably priced plus they're reusable. You can save the planet and save a little cash at the same time," she added with a laugh. "What can be better than that?"
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