With Halloween around the corner, it may be time to start planning the ultimate getup — for you or for your kids — to scare, dazzle and amaze at parties and while trick-or-treating.
And since we're Berkeley, we expect to have the most creative, crazy, wild costumes in the whole of Halloweendom.
Are you making your Halloween outfit this year? Are you raiding thrift stores for the perfect ensemble? Are you wearing your wit with a clever costume? Share your creative ideas in the comments. Upload pictures by clicking "Add photos & video" below.
Winners will be notified on Friday, Oct. 29 and will recieve a Patch water bottle.
Stuck for ideas? Here are the trends for 2011, according to Party City:
- ZOMBIES: Wouldn't be caught dead in anything but the hottest costume? Party City costume expert Melissa Sprich's picks take a cue from pop culture. Ever since Night of the Living Dead staggered into theaters, unstoppable brain-eating zombies have terrorized our imaginations. And as vampire mania cools, zombies are becoming the coolest monsters! Grey skin, dark eyes, bloody lips and tattered threads are keys to rocking this look.
- MONSTER HIGH: Monsters have been chic ever since Lily Munster floated across the TV screen with her gauzy gown and flowing black-and-white tresses. The latest monsters setting a fashion trend are Draculaura, Frankie Stein and Abbie Bominable from the Monster High series of dolls, games and videos. The newest 2011 Deluxe Monster High costumes that include wigs, leggings and detailed dresses are a Party City exclusive.
- FEATHERS AND WINGED FANTASY: Since ancient times, people have created a bit of fantasy by adorning themselves with feathers. The look went modern with Victoria's Secret fashion shows; now feather hair extensions and peacock earrings are hot accessories. These mix-and-match costumes with tutus, wings and feathered masks let you alight on a fantastic look all your own.
- IMAGINARY FRIENDS: It's easy to get attached to the TV show and video game characters we grew up with, like Ms. Pac Man and the gang from the Mickey Mouse Club. These days, everyone's having fun dancing with the cool kids on Yo Gabba Gabba, playing Angry Birds and making friends with Hello Kitty. Let the trend inspire you to transform into an imaginary friend!
- SUPERHEROES: Since the days of the Adventures of Captain Marvel, superheroes have always inspired Halloween costumes. Both little boys and men can get into this blockbuster-inspired trend, dressing like their favorite screen heroes – Captain America, Spider-Man, Batman, Optimus Prime or even the anti-hero Ghost Face from Scream 4.
- WILD THINGS: Animal prints like leopard, zebra and tiger stripes have been making a splash on fashion runways for the past few seasons. And those cute and fuzzy koala bear hats are being hawked on street corners and in boutiques alike. Bring this trend to life and go wild this Halloween with a sexy fox, skunk or big bad wolf costume dress complete with ears and a bushy tail.
- MORPHSUITS: After catching on with sports fans in Europe, Morphsuits are the new social costume statement for men and women. Slipping into one of these stretchy, colorful skins that cover from head to toe allows the wearer to see, breathe and even drink – and easily change their identity for a few hours. Morphsuits come in a range of solid colors and cool patterns like a skeleton, ninja, camouflage and tuxedo.
- ICONS AND IDOLS: Whether it's silent screen idol Rudulph Valentino starting a fad for slicked-back hair or Sarah Jessica Parker's Carrie Bradshaw and her love of Manolos, the public has long been fascinated by the style trends set by actors and pop stars. These days, whether you love them or hate them, Lady Gaga, Charlie Sheen, Michael Jackson, Justin Bieber, Nicki Minaj and Amy Winehouse have all created looks that others want to copy.
- NOSTALGIC CHARACTERS: Nostalgia always tugs at our hearts, but especially during tough economic times, adults yearn for comforts of the past. Beloved characters from TV shows like the Muppets, the Stay Puft marshmallow man from Ghostbusters and the eternally popular video game Super Mario Brothers are winning new young fans, so they'll be making a welcome appearance this Halloween.
- BRIGHT COLORS: Calling someone a "blue hair" used to be an insult, but not anymore! Bright colors are showing up on fingernails painted blue, green and yellow; this fall's color-washed jeans and in Katy Perry's famous blue tresses. Make a bold statement this Halloween with a colorful wig in a wild shade or add a bright touch with colorful fake eyelashes or temporary hair extensions.
