Okay San Diegans, it’s time to stop pretending autumn isn’t in our future. It’s time to switch out our string bikinis for sweater dresses and throw those cräme uggs and fleece hoodies in the trunks of our cars.
As a city that thrives on perpetual great weather and considers a pair of flip flops year round footwear, what does the City student have to look forward to on those breezy, colder fall days? Perhaps it’s time to trade those beach sandals for a broomstick or vampire fangs.
Halloween: the ultimate spectacle of make believe and fanfare of walking in someone else’s shoes for a night is just around the corner. We’ve come to know the spooky holiday for its trademark jack ‘o’ lanterns and gluttonous candy consumption, but the real question when the big night comes: What are you going to dress up as?
According to the National Retail Federation’s 2009 Halloween Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, conducted by BIGresearch, consumers are expected to spend an estimated $4.75 billion on the holiday; where $1.75 billion of that will be spent on costumes. Nearly one-third of respondents said the economy will impact their Halloween spending.
“Nobody knows exactly why we wear costumes,” Sophia Laurein, history professor, says about the custom. “The general belief is that Europeans would wear witch and ghost costumes to protect themselves from real spirits.
Laurein does admit that modern day Halloween costumes are driven by a different reason.
“Hollywood is a huge influence on the costumes we were today,” Laurein said.
So what are the popular costumes for this year for City students to spend their hard earned cash on?
CNN reports that the most popular costumes for this year showcase the memories of celebrities we’ve lost this year. “When you go to a party there will be a person dressed as Michael Jackson, no doubt,” said Jalem Getz, president and CEO of Buyseasons Inc, the parent company of BuyCostumes.com.
For the frugal student, you can wear those tight black pants hiding in the closet, pair it with a worn leather jacket from the thrift store, and just purchase the ever-classic glittery glove that made the King of Pop so famous.
Farrah Fawcett, Ed McMahon and infomercial pitchman Billy Mays are also expected to be hot costume choices for those wanting to pay tribute, while fans of “Twilight” and “True Blood” have revived “classic vampire attire.”
Popular TV series “Mad Men” also brings back the ultra swanky sixties attire, inspiring women to sport high-waisted skirts and men to don sleek menswear with a whiskey rye in hand. This series might encourage students to rummage their parents’ closets for second-hand costume ideas.
Another inexpensive “already in your dresser” option is to follow other era attire, like the punk rock 80’s or the swing kids from the 40’s. Hunt down a hair crimper and a can of aqua net to finish your punk ensemble, and throw on a pair of wingtips to channel the big band era.