Rated Arrr!

Movie characters are a perennial favourite. While a Borat outfit’s a snap—glue on a ’stache and pull out the ironic anti-Semitism—you might opt for the more frightening and face-concealing V for Vendetta costume—one of this year's hottest items ($95, Malabar, 14 McCaul St., 416-598-2581). Popular choices at Hollywood Costumes (7718 Yonge St., 905-882-4863) include Aliens ($63 for the head) from the eponymous film, as well as—yet again—Austin Powers disguises. Women can opt for Felicity Shagwell and Foxxy Cleopatra garb (rental $95 each.) Classic comic book heroes—Superman ($85), Spiderman ($78) and Wonder Woman ($90)—are top sellers every year. Malabar’s Man of Steel outfit comes complete with its own muscles.

Pirates, however, remain the most popular choice of all. Chalk it up to the success of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise—or the fact that it’s an easy costume to throw together—but Malabar, Hollywood and Theatrix (284 King St. W., 416-977-3113) all sell oodles of Captains Hooks and Sparrows ($90).

Child’s Play

At Kids Costumes (539 Mount Pleasant Rd., 416-484-1940), the in-house-designed fleece animal outfits are best-sellers. The store stocks every member of the animal kingdom imaginable (from cows to monkeys) and imaginary (dragons and unicorns; $69–$149). And they’re warm enough so trick-or-treaters don’t have to wear their coats over their costumes. Otherwise, the younger the kids are, the more traditional they—or their parents—go: witch costumes ($39) are favoured for toddlers while older kids go the superhero ($40) or Harry Potter ($50) route.

Oh, Behave

The most popular costumes for women remain decidedly grown-up. Sexy anything is the go-to getup for women, and every outfit you can think of can be made hot with the addition of thigh-highs and a short skirt. Malabar sells everything from the classics— sexy nurse ($78) and sexy police officer ($80)—to sexy nun ($80) and sexy baseball player ($90). And, of course, there’s the sexy pirate, complete with ruffled hat and matching skull–and–cross bones undies. All of these outfits go well with the pimp costume ($90)—featuring a leopard-print lining and gigantic red hat—also sold at Malabar.

Not a pimp or a ho? Well, Theatrix does a brisk trade in costumes for the ironic Gen-Xer. Dress like the characters on your faux thrift store T-shirt: Rainbow Brite ($135), Strawberry Shortcake ($144) and Cat in the Hat ($125 rental) are all favourites.

Let Them Be Fake

Both Theatrix and Malabar anticipate an upswing in historical costumes this year—everything from King Arthur and the knights of the Round Table ($65–$125 rental) to elaborately constructed Elizabethan ($65–$125 rental) or Victorian ($85–$165 rental) attire. The Roaring ’20s ($45–$125) and Swinging ’60s ($55–$150) are also popular eras. This year, expect a surge in Marie Antoinette-esque outfits ($100–$165 rental), with inspiration provided by the new Sofia Coppola movie.