So who is it going to be? Donald Trump? Perhaps Hillary Clinton? Or maybe, just maybe, Bernie Sanders?
No, I’m not asking who you are voting for in the 2016 presidential election. I have a far more pressing question: Who are you dressing as for Halloween this year? The election can wait, but Halloween is only a few weeks away.
In terms of political costumes, Trump may be the big winner come October 31. But to be fair, Trump is an easy outfit. All you need is an orange wig, a blue suit, a huge ego and a small vocabulary. Although I will predict that if you go as Trump, your friends will grow tired in about 10 minutes of your incessant use of the words “losers” and “haters.” Personally, I may dress as the first Muslim American president, in the hopes of taunting anyone dressed as Ben Carson.
But costumes inspired by politics will likely be far outnumbered by outfits that have been around since 1977. I’m talking “Star Wars” characters. The National Retail Federation’s recent consumer survey found that “Star Wars” costumes will likely take the prize in terms of popularity.
I also checked in with a representative of New York City’s famed Halloween Adventure costume store, who confirmed that “Stars Wars”-themed outfits were the big seller, but he did note that Trump wigs were moving pretty well. That raises the question: Will we see outfits combining “Star Wars” and Trump? Maybe a Luke Skywalker with Trump hair? Darth Vader in a blue suit and red tie? An orange haired Chewbacca?
Actually, combining some of the presidential candidates with “Star Wars” characters could produce a fun and original costume. How about an R2-Rubio? Or a Yoda Fiorina? Perhaps a Han Sanders — or maybe it should be Bernie Solo? The possibilities are endless.
I predict this Halloween we will see a fair share of “Game of Thrones”-inspired outfits. I would personally love to dress like one of the dragons from the show, complete with a flamethrower to mimic a fire-breathing dragon. Although I’m pretty sure having a flamethrower in my apartment would be a lease violation.
One quick tip, however: If you dress up as Jon Snow, the very popular “Game of Thrones” character who may or may not have been killed in this season’s finale, you have to make a choice in advance whether you believe that Snow is dead or alive. And if you pick dead, you have to stick with that decision, no matter how much your friends argue that he must still live.
For those on a limited budget, here are a few suggestions: You can just put pasties on your nipples and say you’re Miley Cyrus. I know, not for everyone. Or put a lot of mousse in your hair, brush it straight up and then act like an unbearable jerk; most people will guess pretty quickly you are Justin Bieber.
But keep in mind that whatever costume you pick, it will end up on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (or all three of them) forever. I’m sure a few years ago dressing like Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino from “Jersey Shore” or an adult version of Honey Boo Boo was fun, but looking back at those photos now may be a tad embarrassing. And I don’t even want to talk about how photos of people dressed up as comedian Bill Cosby from Halloweens gone by are perceived today.
One thing I would ask, if I may: Please don’t dress your dog up in a costume. Yes, I know a dog in a “Minion” outfit is adorable, but it’s unfair to your pet. You are transforming your lovable canine from a part of the family to a four-legged punchline.
So what’s it going to be? Hillary or Trump? Luke or Leia? Prince or a pauper? Enjoy Halloween while you can. Because once it’s over, it’s nonstop Christmas songs.
