By: Alison O'Neill

  When you’re truly looking to create a stir with your costume, you’ve got to reach beyond the average and pluck your idea right out of the headlines. With these costumes, they can be more fun than others because the authenticity is in the details. Here are my Top 45 Pop Culture costume suggestions:

1. 80s Madonna and Michael Jackson – Before the lawsuits, Kabbalah and many failed marriages, we had the untainted King and Queen of Pop.

2. Abbot and Costello – Who’s on first!? One of my favourite ways to warm up to the Halloween season it to watch the classic “Abbott and Costello meet Frankenstein”. I couldn’t list Halloween duos without these two.

3. Archie – So you’re looking to be one of the wholesome Riverdale gang, but now it’s time to answer the age old questions: Betty or Veronica?

4. Austin Powers and Felicity Shagwell – Oh so groovy baby! That perfect mix of humour and sex appeal, you’ll have a blast with this pair.

5. Barbie and GI Joe – Our childhood definition of femininity and masculinity. You can of course pair Barbie and Ken, but I was always convinced she’d be better matched with Joe!

6. Barney and Betty Rubble – Where else but in Bedrock can a short guy get such a babe for a wife? Ok, ok – Barney and Tom Cruise!

7. Beetlejuice and Lydia – I love seeing these two together at the end of the movie, when she’s in the red wedding gown. Everyone gets what they want, your gentleman can be creepy and funny, and you get to be cute and sweet.

8. Borat and Pamela Anderson – They may not have ended up together, but they’ll always be in love (in his mind at least).

9. Danny and Sandy from Grease – These two kids from Rydell high captured our hearts in 1978, and they’ve been keeping us singing ever since.

10. Dexter and Rita – He may be a serial killer, but that doesn’t mean he’s not a good date!

11. Doctor Evil and Mini Me – It’s time for you two to hatch your next scheme to take over the world!

12. Dog the Bounty Hunter and Beth – Pile on the leather, and become one with the mullet; it’s your turn to be the Bounty Hunters.

13. Drew Carey and Mimi Johnson – They may have gone off the air, but their legacy as the antagonistic comic duo will go on for years.

14. Dumb and Dumber – Who can forget those matching tuxedos? Powder blue and dayglo orange has never seemed so chic!

15. Fred and Wilma Flintstone – Yabba-Dabba-Doo! These two have been movers and shakers since the pre-history! If you’re looking for a change, you can always pair Pebbles with Bamm-Bamm or Barney and Betty.

16. Ghostbuster and Slimer – Suit up, slip on your proton pack, and hangout with your best friend, Slimer!

17. Gilligan and Mary Ann – If you’re going to set out on a 3 hour tour, make sure you’ve got a good first mate; but if you’re going to get marooned, make sure you’ve got a good girl at your side!

18. Gomez and Morticia Addams – If she speaks French be sure to kiss her from her hand up to her cheek! This unique pair has captured our hearts for over 40 years now.

19. Han Solo and Princess Leia – He’s a loner, and she’s not the type to need saving. Fiercely independent, these two need each other more than they’re willing to admit.

20. Harry Potter and Hermione – Slip on your Hogwarts uniform, and let the magic begin.

21. Hercules and Xena – Pick up your sword, and prepare to battle the cranky Gods, this Halloween!

22. Herman and Lilly Munster – Coming into popularity in the mid 60s, this lovable and macabre duo are still warm our hearts.

23. Homer and Marge Simpson – D’Oh! Why wouldn’t you choose our favourite yellow friends?

24. Hugh Hefner and Playboy Bunny – As a snapshot of today, you could go as Hef’s main girl – Holly Madison. But there are thousands of other bunnies you can choose from!

25. Jack Skellington and Sally – The Nightmare before Christmas will fall on October 31st this year!

26. Jack Sparrow and Elizabeth Swan – So he’s completely untrustworthy? That doesn’t mean you wouldn’t go to the ends of the earth for him!

27. Jason Voorhees and Victim – The memories from Camp Crystal Lake have brought chills for decades now. Remember though, that in the first film the killer was actually Mrs. Voorhees – so don’t count out a lady as the lead of your killing duo.

28. King Kong and Ann Darrow – He may have been a monster, but he has a soft heart for this leading lady.

29. Lone Ranger and Tonto – Hi-yo, Silver! Away! It’s the Lone Ranger, and his trusted friend, Tonto!

30. Lucky Charms Leprechaun & Count Chocula– Definitely not your typical duo, but these two can be a lot of fun. For a switch – why not go as Tony the Tiger?

31. Lucy and Ricky Ricardo – “Lucy, you got some 'splainin' to do!!”

32. MAC and PC – Popularized by the commercials for MAC, this casually feuding pair has entertained the world over.

33. Marilyn Monroe and John F Kennedy – Whether she wears her signature white gown, or slips into something a little more elegant she will be sure to turn heads. For a change, you can always pair her Joe DiMaggio.

34. Mario and Princess Peach – The fun might have started back in the 80s, but he’s been saving her from certain doom ever since. Need a trio? I’m sure that Luigi would love to come to the party!

35. Mickey and Minnie Mouse – Fun and classic, Mickey has been a pop culture icon since 1928!.

36. Neo and Trinity – Step into the Matrix!

37. Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne – A rockin’ power-couple!

38. Peter and Lois Griffin – Now you can be Quahog’s favourite pair.

39. Popeye and Olive Oyl – Bring some spinach to the party, and watch his forearms grow!

40. Roger and Jessica Rabbit – He’s a rabbit, and she’s a fox – what a match!

41. Shrek and Fiona – One of my favourite duos, these two have found love despite being fearsome ogres.

42. Sonny and Cher – I’ve got you babe! Celebrate the height of their love with these two song birds.

43. Spartan King and Queen – They’ll give you 300 reasons why they won’t ever give up.

44. Starsky & Hutch – It’s time to team up again! Be sure to encourage a friend to dress up as Huggy Bear.

45. Sweeney Todd and Mrs Lovett – As long as you don’t eat their meat pies, they’re a sweet couple. I’m sure as you read down the list you’ve been struck with a pair that I should have mentioned! I couldn’t list them all, but please do update me on your suggestions for Pop Culture pairs! Have fun this Halloween, and be sure to win the prize for Best Couple!

By DreamGirls

From the runways of Paris and New York right into your living room, the team of Dreamgirl designers, Janet, Julie, Donna, Amanda, and Sara, bring you Halloween chic for the 2008 Dreamgirl Costume Collection now featured on BuyCostumes.com. Ever-inspired by the trends in the fashion realm, the Dreamgirl designers have keyed in on one of the hottest trends to don the streets season after season: The Belt. Belts have forever been a great accessory to a fabulous outfit, but in recent years the belt phenomenon has developed into more than just an accessory—it’s become a necessity.

Be it a cinching removable waist corset or a cute sailor belt, BuyCostumes.com has you covered with contemporary belted Dreamgirl costumes for the season. Let’s have a peek:

Couple a cinching belt with some pin-up flair and you’ll be the hottest fashionista at the party! “Cruise Cutie” pairs the two in a nautical-inspired look that features a stretch knit dress with pleated hem and stretch striped waist belt with patent leather anchor buckle detail. With her set of included accessories and a great pair of red mary jane platforms from BuyCostumes, she is set to sail the seas in style searching for the next big adventure…just like our favorite “Treasure Hunter.” She’s a fashionable treasure seeker in her stretch bengaline dress and faux leather removable boned waist corset with hat, bag and whip. When you’ve got your finger on the pulse of the latest trends and quests, hunting becomes a “cinch”!

From foreign adventures to glitz and legends, Dreamgirl brings you “Vegas King,” an Elvis-inspired caped stretch velvet dress with stand up collar, fringe sleeves, sunglasses and faux microphone to rock out with. But, wait, there’s more! The standout feature of this dress is the beautiful waist cinching belt with hand sewn rhinestone details. Feeling inspired yet? You should be! Halloween is about fun through the art of transformation. With one of Dreamgirl’s many versatile costumes, you can switch up your sassy look with none other than a waist cinching removable corset. “Officer Pat U. Down” is a great mix of versatility with its feminine pink color complemented by vinyl accents…and not to mention its removable boned vinyl waist corset, which can be removed or kept on depending on your range of modesty throughout the evening! Add some thigh high fishnets and tall black boots to the mix and you may need to use the baton and handcuffs on any unruly fans.

The fun doesn’t stop there! You can find other great costumes with belts and waist cinching removable corsets on BuyCostumes.com. Some great styles to try are: “4 Star Pin Up,” “You’re Busted!” policewoman, “Rehab Nurse,” “Firehouse Flirt,” “Twice as Fun” a reversible Holiday costume, “Karate Cutie” and more! With so many belted options, it’s easy to find a great style that helps you transform into a great character, while keeping you up with your fashionista ways. Live large!

Top 35 Funny Couples Costumes

By: Alison O'Neill

Couples costumes are central to Halloween partying. No matter how you define your couple: Husband & Wife, Boyfriend & Girlfriend, Best Friends or even you and your pet, you’re sure to win everyone’s hearts with these light hearted pairs. Here are my Top 35 suggestions for Funny Couples Costumes:

1. Adam and Eve – Play it conservative with a full body suit, or go for the shock of a more literal interpretation, you’ll have everyone wanting to join you in Eden.

2. Bacon and Eggs – Just like it sounds, you can dress as the perfect breakfast.

3. Ball and Chain – For the newly weds, or old hands at marriage – the ball and chain will bring knowing smiles and nods from everyone.

4. Beer Keg and Refreshment Girl – A pair that no one’s seen before, but everyone can agree to. This is a guaranteed hit at any party!

5. Brick Layer – He might be the best lay in town, but who shall he pair with? Maybe the brick house with her secret door for kitty? Or will he be captured by the StudFinder? Careful he doesn’t spend too much time with the HomeWrecker, or he’ll have a lot more work on his hands, than he expected!

6. Bull and Matador – Adorable, sweet and sexy. This one is sure to win Costume of the Year!

7. Bun in the Oven and Baker – Whether you’re pregnant, or just like to put people on, this one’s a guaranteed laugh.

8. Canadian Mountie and Horse – Who knew Canadians were so hot? Thankfully she’s found someone who’s Hung Like a Horse.

9. Chess King and Chess Queen – A very regal pair.

10. Corpse and Widow – So many options! Should your corpse be dripping in blood or should he already be in a body bag? Your Widow – did you want her still holding the weapon, or should she be more composed?

11. Fireman and Dalmatian – Cute and sweet any way your pair it. These two would be lost without each other.

12. Football Player and Trophy Wife – Just as it sounds, and twice as funny in person.

13. Football Playerette and Cheerleader – Why do boys always want to be the Football player? Turn everyone on their head with this inverted pair.

14. Fork and Spoon – Certain to get a laugh, just warn Bacon and Eggs if you’ll be attending. They might want to clear out!

15. Grim Reaper and Recently Deceased – Lady Death and her victim, or should you pair Death himself and a Macabre Mistress?

16. Hunter and Deer – Don’t shoot! To be the talk of the party, this is the pair to wear.

17. Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake – With her dress malfunction, and his gift to us on Saturday Night Live, this pair will guarantee laughter.

18. Knife Thrower and Target – As the night progresses, his aim gets worse and the laughter gets louder!

19. Lady Luck and High Roller – Let luck be a Lady tonight!

20. Lion and Safari Hunter – Beauty and the beast take a new twist with this pair!

21. Mail Lady and First Class Male – She couldn’t deliver a better package!

22. Mexican and Boarder Patrol Guard – Careful who you let slip across the boarder when you’re not looking!

23. Nut and Bolt – Who wouldn’t go nuts for this twosome?

24. Pimp and Ho – Bring your bling with this happening’ twosome! For an entertaining twist, switch rolls! A Lady of the Evening definitely needs his Pimpette to protect him!

25. Pirate and his Booty – What pirate wouldn’t love party once he’s captured his booty? Just make sure you dress in gold, and adorn yourself with pearls, gems and jewels so that people know exactly who you are.

26. Pirate and Parrot – Arrrg! Careful what your bird repeats, or you’ll both have to walk the plank!

27. Plug and Socket – Careful where you stick that or you’ll get a nasty shock!

28. Priest and Naughty Nun – Sinful and sweet, these two make a praiseworthy pair.

29. Queen of Hearts and King of Hearts – Love is in the cards! 30. Siamese Twins – You can’t get any closer, than sharing a liver!

31. Snake Charmer and Belly Dancer – The more she shakes and shimmies the wilder his snake gets!

32. Spartan Cheerleaders – Roll Call! Arianna and Craig may only get to cheer at the more unusual sporting events such as Chess and Synchronized Swimming – but that doesn’t prevent them from performing the Perfect Cheer!

33. Ventriloquist and Dummy – Always a little creepy, and more than odd – this duo is sure to draw a crowd.

34. Washer and Dryer – Drop off a load, and then tumble dry!

35. Wine Wench and Grapes – For any great wine, you’ve got to stomp on a few grapes. Or maybe she’s the type to prefer a box of wine? No doubt these ideas will get your own creative juices flowing! Be sure to put your own spin on the costume, and make it your own. Have fun, and Happy Halloweening!

By: Alison O'Neill

I’ll admit it – when it comes to Halloween, I’ve always been the type to celebrate my sexy side. As a woman with curves, I need to be careful about the types of costumes that I wear. Year after year, I have found myself reading the reviews of others, searching for costumes which are complimentary to an hourglass frame. After scanning thousands of reviews, I have a few suggestions to help you get the most out of your Sexy Costume – whatever your body shape.

Don’t be crushed if your costumed arrives wrinkled! Almost all costumes will need a good steaming after travel. If you don’t have access to your own steamer, just hang your costume up in the bathroom and take a nice long hot shower. This should smooth all the creases.

Don’t be “Sizest”. I, like many of you, have been guilty over the years of turning down a fabulous outfit, because I didn’t agree with the size on the tag. When buying a costume, measure yourself and compare your measurements to the charts. If you feel that you’re between sizes trust your gut, but the safe bet is to choose the size larger. Brands and companies vary, and depending on the country where the costume was made, your concept of “medium” might be smaller or larger than what they create.

Highlight your assets! As we all know, if you’re tall and slender – you can pull off anything. But for the rest of us, take a good long look in the mirror and decide what will be your Sexy Feature this season. If you love your legs, consider something short and sassy. If you have a fantastic butt, slip into the costumes that feature short-shorts or tight leggings. Got great abs? Well you can always be a belly dancer! We’re all sexy in our own way, just be sure to bring attention to the asset which you love the most.

It’s what’s underneath that counts! Whether you’re looking to lift, tuck, smooth or hide you need to rely on the magic of undergarments to help you on your way. Although I usually suggest a thong to avoid the dreaded VPL (visible panty line) – I must insist that we all consider full bottom, or even boy shorts to provide the dignity under these short and sassy frocks. You might want to also consider wearing panty hose to ensure the look of long perfect legs; I find that panty hose can also help to keep up those sometimes slippery thigh highs.

Don’t be afraid to make adjustments. We are all built differently, and as such slight alterations can greatly improve the look of a costume. Whether you’re petite and need to hem it a bit shorter, or you need to add a few stitches to fix where the fabric mysteriously bulges – there is no harm in making it your own.

Last but not least – buy your costume early enough that you can use all the weapons in your sexy arsenal! All the fantastic corsets in the world can’t help your costume, if you didn’t have time to shop for them before your big day! Remember to have fun! Tonight’s your night to shine! So embrace your curves, love your petite frame, and own your majestic height!

See you at the party!

Top 20 Group Costumes

By: Alison O"Neill

As with many people, my group of friends are Halloween Crazy! One our favourite things to do before the big bash, is to gather together and come up with a fun and unique group costume theme. I love that group costumes bond us together as friends, while still allowing each of our personalities to shine. Here are my top 20 Suggestions for Talk-of-the-Party, Unforgettable Groups Costumes:

1. 3 Musketeers: You can’t go wrong with an old classic. Perfect for the gentlemen looking to sweep the ladies off their feet. If you want a truly memorable trio – you must go full tilt and don the tights.

2. 4 Seasons: Ladies, this one’s for you! Gather your four best friends together and personify Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. Slip on some wings, and you can be the Fairies of the Seasons.

3. 7 Sins: Never before have the seven carnal sins been so fun! Gather your friends together to personify Lust, Greed, Gluttony, Envy, Sloth, Wrath and Pride.

4. 80s Toys: Our favourite toys are back, and they’re just as much fun as you remember. Rainbow Bright, Strawberry Shortcake, Care-Bears, GI Joe and the Transformers will put a smile on everyone’s face.

5. Adams Family: Gomez, Morticia, Wednesday, Pugsley, Uncle Fester, Lurch and Cousin Itt. They are the perfect family to attend any Halloween Gathering.

6. Circus: Looking for something a little more freakish? Maybe you’ll invite the circus into town. Everyone will line up to see the Ring Master, Bearded Lady, Strong Man, Fortune Teller and Snake Charmer. If your group is a little larger you could include a Lion and Lion tamer!

7. DC’s Justice League: Gather your favourite SuperFriends together: Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Green Lantern, Hawkgirl are all a part of the mighty Justice League of America.

8. Ghostbusters: Peter, Ray, Egon and Winston may have been the originals; but don’t think that your group has to be a boys club. In 2008, Ghostbusters can be girls too!

9. Harry Potter: Harry, Ron and Hermione wouldn’t have any adventures at Hogwarts if it wasn’t for Voldemort, and his band of Death Eaters and Dementors.

10. Marvel’s Mighty Avengers: With a movie already in the works, be sure get ahead of the game and gather your Avenging Friends before everyone else gets the idea: Hulk, IronMan, Captain America, SpiderMan, Thor and Wolverine are a good start.

11. The Mystery Gang: Scooby Doo, Shaggy, Fred, Velma and Daphne are sure to unmask the ghost and catch the real crook!

12. Riverdale Gang: Who’s more wholesome than our Riverdale Gang? Betty, Veronica, Archie, Jughead, Reggie are sure to be the smash hit of the party.

13. Saturday Night Live: Roll call! It’s the Spartan Cheerleaders! And when she gets nervous Mary Katherine Gallagher puts her fingers in her armpits, and smells them like this! Don’t answer the door – it might be the Land Shark looking to attack! And most recently Justin Timberlake had a special present for us. Always a classic – SNL costumes are a hit with young and Old

. 14. StarWars: Whether you want to take it old school and enjoy Luke, Leia, Hans Solo, Chewbaca and Yoda – or celebrate the newest story line with Amidala and Anakin – the choice is yours.

15. Storybook Babes: Gather a few of your favourite girls together, and put a sexy spin on the old storybook heroines. Be it Red Riding Hood, Snow White, Cinderella, Alice from Wonderland, or Goldilocks – I’m sure you’ll find a few gentlemen with a renewed interest in these classics.

16. The Flintstones: Our favourite family from Bedrock: Fred, Wilma and Pebbles Flintstone.

17. The Jetsons: They’re out of this world; they’re the Jetsons! George, Jane, Judy and Elroy are an adorable quartet.

18. The Rubbles: Who else but our favourite prehistoric neighbours? Barney, Betty and Bamm-Bamm Rubble will always bring smiles. For a larger group – mix and match with the Flintstones.

19. Under the Sea: The King and Queen of Atlantis, King Neptune, a Mermaid, a Seahorse, and whomever else you can find under the sea would be a welcome addition to this fishy group!

20. Wizard of Oz: From The Wizard himself right down to the Munchkins and their Mayor, your group from Oz can be as big or as small as you’d like. For the perfect quartet, stick with Dorothy, Tin Man, Scarecrow and Lion. Remember – don’t invite the Flying Monkeys without Glinda the Good Witch to protect you. These are just a few suggests – I invite you to make them your own. The best part of Halloween is expressing your own creativity. Good luck and Have fun !

Article written by costume vendor: DreamGirls

As the age old adage goes, “Out with the Old, In with the New!” And what better way to welcome the new season of Dreamgirl costumes than with a completely new generation of costume: The Reversible Costume! Just imagine… two costumes for the price of one.

Have your ears perked yet? Donna Lackmeyer, creator of Dreamgirl’s Reversible Costumes, said that she loved the idea of walking into a costume party as one character only to leave dressed in another. “Our costume, ‘Miss Hellen Back,’ for example, allows our customer to walk in as a sweet and sexy angel in pure white and leave as a naughty devil in fiery red! If cute is what you are looking for, then there’s nothing cuter than ‘Buggin’ Out’, our reversible Ladybug/Bumble Bee costume. With the flip of a dress, you can transform yourself from a ladybug to a bumble bee – two timeless concepts. It’s a great costume for all age groups from teens to adults.”

hese Fully Reversible Costumes “Miss Hellen Back” in S, M, L, 1X/2X and 3X/4X along with “Buggin’ Out” in S, M, L are currently featured on BuyCostumes.com and come with a set of great accessories to complete the costume, such as wings, wands, headbands, tails, gloves, and name badges. At the launch of these new costumes at our annual January Fashion Show, we received rave reviews that assured us that these Reversible Costumes were not only set to be our bestsellers for the season, but also set to take on the industry by storm with its inherent originality!

Are you “in with the new”?

                                                                                 By Chris Kullstroem

We all have one in the back of our closet, down in the basement or underneath a pile of dust in the attic: a box of old Halloween decorations that we just don’t know what to do with. Not wanting to throw it out (I mean it is Halloween stuff), but also at a loss as to how it could all be used. But never fear! You can turn all kinds of old and new decorations into the perfect additions to your Halloween inside and outside décor.

Halloween tea-light holders: Use these in your outdoor haunted graveyard or jack-o-lantern light show. Buy a big bag of tea lights for just a few dollars and have a lit attraction each night when the sun goes down. You can also use the candle holders indoors.

Scatter them throughout your Halloween village collection to make it come alive at night; line the staircase with sugar pumpkins and these small candles; put the candle holders in the windows next to your Halloween window decorations or jack-o-lantern.

Small Halloween knick-knacks and figurines: Boy these can sure add up throughout the years. But they are perfect for adding to your Halloween village collection on a bookshelf or end table, or for creating a village on their own. Halloween knick-knacks can also be used if you’re throwing a Halloween party or dinner party, to be placed by each person’s napkin, place card, or set by the taper candles and put within the centerpieces.

Need some Halloween atmosphere at work? Bring some of the figurines to the office and place them on your monitor. Old Costumes: They still look great, but they don’t fit and no one needs to borrow them for a party. No problem. Create dummies to wear the costumes on the front porch, guarding the candy bowl at your trick-or-treat station. Or use the costumes on the characters for your own haunted attraction or haunted walk-through. Old Trick-or-Treat Bags and Window Decorations: Plastic or paper treat bags and window decorations are great for making Halloween cards and invitations. Cut out the pictures and paste onto a blank card for inviting friends to your haunted attraction or Halloween party.

You can also make refrigerator magnets out of the cut-outs, or use as place cards or prizes in a grab bag at your Halloween party. Autumn-themed cloth napkins and placemats: If these have started piling up with each Halloween, use them as a base for your centerpieces of candles, pumpkins and Halloween figurines on your dining room table and end tables.

They can also be draped across the top of the television or bookshelf, and put on the front porch as a base for your jack-o-lanterns and candy bowls. Halloween ribbons: Orange, black and other Halloween-themed ribbons can serve many purposes. Tie them around rolled up Halloween invitations that you’ve made on your computer to give to friends and family. Wrap them around pumpkins you’ve placed both inside and outside the house. Drape them in flower arrangements for your Halloween party. Tie them to the fence around your jack-o-lantern light show or to the trees surrounding your scarecrow show.

So don’t leave that box of old Halloween decorations in the closet, basement or attic anymore… dig it out and put some finishing touches on all your Halloween arrangements, props and haunted attractions you’ll be putting on this season.