Picking the right disguise

MARQUETTE -- It's the time of year when you can be anything you want to be; from covering your face in makeup or hiding behind a mask, Halloween is a fun time for both kids and adults.

Although each year has a new trend for costumes, some of the favorites, such as cops, witches, and pirates are here to stick around.  But dressing as an old lady complete with walker is also rising in popularity.

"Mostly college boys...the boys from Northern.  They're so much fun to watch dress.  I mean they're walking around trying to act like an old person and you know they're just a kid.  They're just fun to watch, it's a lot of fun," describes Sandy Petersen, the store manager at Marquette's St. Vincent DePaul Thrift Store.

Whether you choose to purchase a costume from a specialty store such as Party in Disguise, or make your own by shopping at one of the many thrift stores in the area, the possibilities are endless.

And for people that don't want to wear a full costume, you can still dress up by adding a simple accessory like a hat.

But the economy has impacted the way people are celebrating Halloween.

"I think we're getting more for rentals and with our consignment sales.  Those seem to be going up.  People are usually looking for a good quality costume, but they don't want to spend 40-50 bucks on one," explains Party in Disguise owner, Sandy Rose.

Partygoers can rent a costume from $20-$30 for the week or purchase a consignment costume for half of the retail price.  At the thrift store, costumes can range from $1 to $25.  Owners suggest purchasing your costume soon to avoid the last minute rush.