Hot Costume Trends For 2008

Pop Culture and Movies continue to influence costume trends and theme parties for this year. Costumes are not just for Halloween any more. Here are some of the biggest influences of the year:

Sex and the City

This is predicted to be the biggest chick flick ever! Theme parties and girls night out will never be the same. Of course, when dressing like Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte and Samantha, it won't be complete without designer shoes and handbags, jewelry and the latest fashion forward clothing. Wigs can make this even more fun with a Sarah Jessica curly style or a sleek Samantha coif. Don't forget to add a Cosmopolitan.

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

There was plenty of hype for this four times a charm flick, even when the hero is a senior citizen Leather whips, felt fedoras and leather bomber jackets will be all the rage. The era has been moved from World War II to the fifties with Russians as the bad guys. The black page boy will become a big hit this year fashioned after Cate Blanchette's KGB resident naughty girl.

Ironman

This movie has already broken records at the box office. Robert Downey Jr's The Dark Knight Curse is sure to be a hit - especially with the younger set. Disguise costumes is releasing a licensed costume for kids and adults that will be available by the end of the summer.

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

This has been a very big franchise in the cinema world and it will continue to be very successful in 2008 with the release of the latest movie just after Halloween. Rubies offers a large selection of officially licensed Harry Potter costumes.

Hanna Montana

Can't say I get it, but tweens are eating this stuff up. Miley Cyrus, better know as Hannah Montana, has girls scrambling to dress in her style of clothes, makeup and accessories.

Sweeney Todd

Pack up your Jack Sparrow costume! Pirates are out and killer barbers are in - largely due to Johnny Depp's creepy murderer. Despite it's 2007 release, Tim Burton's vision of Sweeney Todd is sure to be a huge hit for all come this Halloween. Who thought that Victorian squallor could be so chic (dripping with lots of blood of course).

Star Wars - The Clone Wars

30 years ago, I dressed as Princess Leia for Halloween. Who'd of thought it would be as popular as ever. Star Wars will be huge again this year with the Clone Wars - an animated feature film due in August. Rubies has a full selection of Star Wars costumes for adults and kids. What's new? Princess Leia sexy slave outfit.

Other hot items:

It's too early to tell, but Batman and the Incredible Hulk both are releasing movies this year, so these could be big influences.

What's out:

Pirates have been huge for the last several years, thanks largely to Pirates of the Caribbean. This year, that trend has come to a grinding halt. It will continue to be popular with the little ones. Also, Spiderman took a nosedive in 2007, and will continue to loose ground. Superheroes have great longevity - so we will see Spidy make a comeback.

Heidi Loney has worked as a costume designer and wardrobe stylist for theatre, film and television for the last 10 years. She currently owns Ms. Dress-Up, a Toronto based retail and on-line store offering quality kids and adult dress-up clothes. Check out her website: msdress-up.com/shop/index.phpmsdress-up.com/shop/index.php