With Halloween just around the corner, many of us have already begun brainstorming for costume ideas. There’s your typical superhero, the all too predictable witch or Disney princess, and the scandalous, dare I say Playboy-esque outfits.  However this year, the costumes may actually turn over a new leaf. 

     This year’s costumes are more along the line of imitating real people and some costumes seem to be based off popular movies like Twilight or Transformers. Here are the hottest new costume ideas for this year:

     The first costume that you’ll definitely see moon walking the streets on October thirty-first is Michael Jackson, the recently deceased pop legend. In order to mimic his look in the most sophisticated of manners, make sure you purchase the following: a red leather jacket, one sequined glove, dark sunglasses and an appropriate wig. Since this costume is bound to be popular this Halloween, it should be easy to find the pieces to put the outfit together. Keep the legend alive!

     Our second contestant is Kate Gosselin, from the hit TLC show Jon & Kate Plus 8. The most important piece is not the clothing, but rather Kate’s hair. Her blonde reverse-mullet, styled do is supposed to be this Halloween’s hottest wig. You can purchase the wig at many stores, but don’t lose sight of the important outfit essentials as well. Have a guy go with you as Jon and make sure he is clad in a skull T-shirt with diamond stud earrings in his ear. Also, with eight fake babies strapped to you, you’ll complete the whole Jon & Kate Plus 8 theme.

     The third costume idea is our very own President Barack Obama. This costume is dependent the mask which can be purchased at most Halloween stores. Don’t forget a suit! It pulls together the whole look. Have some secret service with you and nobody will question your authority.

     Thanks to Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, there are scads of Transformers costumes to choose from. The question isn’t so much of where to buy a costume, but which one do I want? Party City and Halloween Express should be able to take care of you. Hurry, before they’re gone!

     It’s only natural that since the premiere of New Moon, the sequel to the prominent Twilight movie is just around the corner, that people want to be vampires and werewolves. It’s easy right now to find these costumes just about anywhere, but difficult to apply the correct makeup if you are heading in the vampire direction, or the perfect mask if you want to be a werewolf. The key to the vampire look is the right skin. Make sure your face is not white, just very pale, so no white face paint! Try a fair oil base foundation. Girl vampires, go for dramatic eyes and rich colored lips. Boys, do not attempt trying to put dark circles under your eyes, truthfully, it never looks right. For the vampires, it is all in the face and the attitude. Werewolves, find an appropriate mask. It doesn’t have to be strictly a “Jacob Black mask” because most werewolf face masks look very similar. Also, remember your werewolf walk!

     If these costume ideas do not appeal to you, there’s an alternative that allows you to rent costumes. Most people never wear their costume again after one Halloween, so it’s a good idea if you’re looking to save some cash. For example, Lucy in Disguise with Diamonds, located in South Austin on 1506 South Congress Avenue, rents costumes by choosing from a large number of costume pieces.

     Hopefully there will be fabulous Halloween weather, so every student can show off their costume. Happy Halloween!