Hocus Pocus One Of The Fastest Selling Costumes Of The Year

Reading Eagle
Here’s a look at hot Halloween costumes
By Courtney H. Diener-Stokes
Friday October 20, 2017

Every year at Halloween, hit movies and attention-getting newsmakers take center stage.

Whether your child is trick-or-treating or you have a party to attend, you will likely invest some time and money into thinking about and then hunting down the perfect costume.According to Tomasina Ruth, the store manager at Spirit Halloween in Wyomissing, the hottest seller for children this year is centered on the two female leads, Mal and Uma, of a recently released movie sequel

” ‘Descendants 2‘ is a new Disney movie, and we are selling out of it as soon as we get it in,” Ruth said. “It’s insane how fast it’s going out of the store. It is selling in our online store, and we can’t keep it in stock. We just got stuff in and it’s already going out.

“Ruth’s daughter has already secured her “Descendants” costume.”My 7-year-old is obsessed,” Ruth said. “I had to get it for her this year.”She said “Paw Patrol” costumes, based on the furry cast of the popular animated series, is another favorite for children.

Ruth said children also are gravitating toward scary costumes.”For some reason kids aren’t afraid of horror stuff anymore,” Ruth said. “They are wearing Chucky, Michael Myers, Freddie (Krueger), and they like the scary clowns and jesters.”

A villain in Batman Universe is another favorite.”Harley Quinn is really popular,” Ruth said.

As for adults, Ruth is seeing that they would rather focus on movies than politics.

“We do have some Trump costumes, and they are selling OK, but not as much as last year,” she said.

Instead, costumes from movies like “Hocus Pocus,” which starred Sarah Jessica Parker and Bette Midler, are in demand, despite its release dating back to 1993.

“Disney finally licensed it for costumes and product, and as soon as we get them in they go out,” Ruth said.

“We have all the characters.”Ruth said

“Rick and Morty” costumes based on the adult animated science-fiction sitcom also is a focus for adults this Halloween.Adults also are drawn to horror costumes.

“Wonder Woman seems to be doing very well,” she said.

“Steampunk also seems to be pretty popular this year.

“Ruth said she is planning to wear a pirate costume to Halloween parties, but has something else in mind for work.

“I’m going as Sarah Sanderson from ‘Hocus Pocus,’ ” Ruth said. “I have loved ‘Hocus Pocus’ for 20 years, and it is the first time we can actually wear it. Sarah Sanderson is my favorite character in the movie.

“Dressing the part of your favorite movie or horror character, regardless of age, doesn’t come cheap. Buying the costume is one thing, but if you want to be property outfitted, that means purchasing additional accessories.

“Customers spend $60 to $100 per costume and accessories,” Ruth said. “We have been selling nonstop since we opened.”