Dolly Parton-inspired couples costumes, familiar spooky characters and outfits that can survive more than one Halloween are among the trends an Omaha costume retailer is seeing this season.
Dwayne Ibsen, owner of Ibsen Costume Gallery, said Parton has emerged as a popular request among his customers, including couples drawing inspiration from “Islands in the Stream.” Others are using wigs and individual costume pieces to assemble the look themselves.
Traditional costumes are holding their own, too. “Vampires are big, flappers and gangsters are still very popular from the 20s,” Ibsen told KLIN News. He said oversized mascot costumes with large heads have also attracted more interest this year than in previous years.
Beyond the characters people choose, Ibsen said he has noticed a shift in how shoppers approach Halloween purchases. More customers are looking for costumes they can assemble, keep and reuse. “We have found this year, people are much more conscious of costumes that they can put together and keep and will last a while instead of the less expensive throwaway type of outfits,” he said.
Although television, movies and social media influence costume choices, Ibsen said he has not seen adults gravitating overwhelmingly toward a single current entertainment character. His observations concern adult costumes; his business does not carry children’s costumes.
For people creating their own outfits, finishing touches remain part of the last-minute shopping rush. Ibsen said wigs, accessories, fangs and different varieties