Reality television, tabloids, high-profile deaths inspire costumes this year

NEW YORK - Michael Jackson. Amy Winehouse. Kate Gosselin. And Bernie Madoff. We're definitely keeping it real this Halloween.

Costume suppliers predict this year's hot costumes will come from reality television, tabloid celebs and the high-profile deaths of two superstars (the other is Farrah Fawcett).

The National Retail Federation picks princesses, witches and Spider-Man as popular costumes for children, while party supply chain iParty's list of children's favourites includes Power Rangers, "Star Wars" characters and Dorothy from "The Wizard of Oz."

Vampires, clowns and pirates were top choices on the federation's adult costume list, while the list from retail chain Spirit Halloween includes Jackson, Gosselin, Britney Spears and Sarah Palin.

"Inspiration for Halloween costumes comes from the media, the movies, current events and pop culture," said Steven Silverstein, CEO and president of Spirit Halloween. "This year vampires are everywhere. You will see lots of tributes to Michael Jackson, from 'Thriller' to sequined gloves. And you may even see a Mr. Ponzi mask."

Here's a breakdown on what's hot for various categories.

BABIES

This year, moms can dress their babies up as Cinderella, Ariel, Sleeping Beauty and Snow White, said Karen Dodge, chief merchandising officer for Toys R Us. She said Babies R Us is offering those same costumes, along with Tinker Bell, for the first time in infant sizes.

Hooded furry animals also are strong sellers, said Dodge, such as monkeys, lambs, pigs, tigers and bumblebees.

The top searches of infant costumes on Yahoo! over the past 30 days included a lady bug, blossom/flower, Elvis, and Pebbles from "The Flintstones;" iParty's list had Thomas the Tank and Superman. And at Disney Stores, Nemo, Mickey and Minnie Mouse were strong sellers.

GIRLS

Disney princess costumes are all the rage again this year.

The new Tiana Deluxe Costume, an exact replica of what Princess Tiana wears in a key moment in the upcoming film "The Princess and the Frog," is expected to be a bestseller, according to Molly Adams, vice-president and general manager for Disney Stores North America. The film, featuring both Disney's newest young royal in more than 10 years and its first black princess, comes out on Dec. 11.

Mulan, a Japanese princess, and Pocahontas were also added to the costume assortment this year.

Toys R Us is seeing a similar trend. "It all tends to be really fun and girly dress-up costumes that are selling for girls, said Dodge, ticking off a list that includes Disney princesses, Dorothy from "The Wizard of Oz" and friendly witches.

She said Hannah Montana isn't as popular this year. But the pop star made it onto iParty's list, in addition to 1920s flappers, bugs and Alice from "Alice in Wonderland."

Minnie Mouse, a new Jessie getup from "Toy Story" and Tinker Bell - "Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure" comes out Oct. 27 - are also strong sellers at Disney Stores, said Adams.

BOYS

Boys follow the blockbuster movies more than girls, said Dodge, and "Transformers" and "G.I. Joe" costumes are hot this year. She said Toys R Us is also seeing an uptick in Buzz Lightyear and Woody costumes in part because of the reintroduction of "Toy Story 1" and "Toy Story 2." "Toy Story 3" is scheduled to come out next year.