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     Maverick Side Hero Username: Maverick Post Number: 7477 Registered: 01-2008 Posted From: 69.243.164.90 Rating: |
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/fea/lifetravel/s tories/102408dnmetprezcostumes.3b2c9ce.html This Halloween, you can look like Sarah Palin for as little as 99 cents, not counting, of course, the Neiman Marcus sleeve jacket. Managers of costume stores agree – the Alaska governor is hot. The most sizzling presidential contest in half a century has been reflected in Halloween wear, both locally and nationally. Sales of Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain masks are brisk. Sarah Palin masks would be selling even better – if you could find them. "We had Palin masks two weeks ago, but we sold out within a few days," said Karen Miller, assistant manager at Party City at Medallion Center in northeast Dallas. "Right now I have a few Obamas and a few McCains, and that's it." Also Online Decorating: Family's Halloween display shows Oak Cliff a scary good time GuideLive.com Area Halloween events Home: Decorate with Obama dragons, McCain gargoyles and other scary gear Shopping: Pumpkins pricier this year, but still plentiful in Dallas grocers, markets Shopping: Fun election-themed products Your Halloween photos: View | Share Share Tell us: What's your costume this year? More Halloween news Buycostumes.com offered 99-cent paper masks of Ms. Palin within four days of when she was picked to be McCain's running mate. It has since sold 4,000, said Karen Van Ert, marketing director of the online store, based in New Berlin, Wis. "We put together Sarah Palin kits" – with wigs and glasses – "early last week, but we're completely sold out," she said. Rubie's Costumes, based in Queen's, N.Y., offered latex Palin masks right after the Republican National Convention in early September. "We went through our entire production in four days. I've never seen a political costume sell out that quickly," said executive vice president Howard Beige. Some perspective is in order. Although there is unusually high interest in political costumes this year, Dallas-area store managers say, the most popular outfits are still superheroes and monsters. "The Heath Ledger 'Joker' is just very big this year. The sexier costumes for women are really popular, too, as are the superheroes for kids," said Michael Madison, manager of the Halloween USA store near the Galleria. Although he has sold far fewer of the political masks, they draw a lot of interest – and with a surprising demographic. "Kids love to try them on and run around the store looking like Obama," Mr. Madison said. When Melanie Rubin of Dallas visited the store last week, her 7-year-old son, Ross, tried on an Obama mask and thrust his face toward sister Jillie, 9. She was not intimidated. She was wearing a Hillary Clinton mask. "Back off, buddy," Jillie-Hillary ordered. Ms. Rubin said she has been a bit taken aback by her children's attention to national politics. "They all just seem interested in the election this year, and I'm surprised. We're a mixed household in terms of who we want to vote for," she said. Not all the political masks are of current figures. "You know what's still real popular?" Mr. Madison said. "Richard Nixon. It's like he's always with us." Of course, political prominence is no guarantee of Halloween popularity. "We haven't had any requests for Joe Biden. As far as I know, nobody wants to look like him," said Phoenyx, an employee of Costume World in Far North Dallas, who goes by one name. Even Palin costumes weren't in demand until actress Tina Fey famously caricatured her on Saturday Night Live. After that, requests doubled, he said. Contributing to the scarcity of Palin costumes is that she was largely unknown as recently as Labor Day. Most local costume stores have had trouble stocking Palin masks and have had to make do, using glasses and wigs done up in her characteristic style. Jean Dunn, manager of the Queen of Hearts costume store in Plano, said she is preparing to improvise. "I've ordered Sarah Palin glasses, and we've got some wigs, and there's a sort of sexy camouflage dress we could use," she said. But Ms. Dunn said the fast-changing campaign makes it a challenge to keep up. "This morning, I got requests for Joe the Plumber," she said. Jerry Moore, retail manager of Norcostco Texas Costumes in the Stemmons Corridor, said that without any prepared Palin costumes, he mostly just gives do-it-yourself advice. "I tell people to get a brown wig, or if you can't get brown at this late date, black. You need to pull it up into a bun and then have the long hair cascading down," he said. "And I tell them I would go to Payless and buy some high heels – the higher the better." How many women have requested the Palin look? Mr. Moore paused. "It's usually not women," he said. "I've had only maybe four women say they want to dress like Sarah Palin, but I've had about two dozen men. "It's more a drag thing." |
