BENGALURU: The American spooky festival of Halloween has grown in popularity in India over the years, especially because of the number of themed parties that happen leading up to and on the day.
In Bengaluru, people usually pick up costumes of witches and devils for the many Halloween parties it hosts, but this year characters from Game of Thrones such as John Snow and Daenyrys Targaryen will make an appearance and so will pirates.
Witches and devils for all ages
Sweta, owner of costume store Fantasy Creations, says, “Year by year, the popularity of Halloween has been growing. People come to buy costumes for kids as young as a year old these days. While the kids like dressing in animal costumes, characters from fairy tales and cartoons and skeletons, the adults go for witch costumes, superhero costumes and Game of Thrones costumes.” She adds that kids over the age of six and adults prefer the scarier costumes, and requests start coming in a 15 days to a month before Halloween.
Balaji, the owner of Shree Balaji Costumes in Malleswaram, says that people come to his store to book their costumes a few days before halloween, and pick up the rentals a day before. “Witches, devils are the most popular costumes for all age groups. Nowadays, kids demand superheroes and pirates too.”
Rather make our own costumes
Melissa S says that she has been attending the Catholic Club Halloween bash for a few years, but prefers making her own costume as the variety and quality of costumes here isn’t very good. She plans on dressing as Daenyrys from Game of Thrones this year. “When I was younger, I’d buy witch and devil costumes from a store, but if one wants a more contemporary or specific costume, it’s better to pick up the accessories from stores and pair them with things I already own.”
Philip, from Party Mania in Frazer Town, says that accessories are what people buy the most from his store. “Witch hats, capes. devil horns and wigs are what people buy the most, and this starts 10-15 days in advance and people come to us two-three days after the festival too,” he says
How much will it cost you
At Party Mania in Frazer, the average cost to purchase a costume for kids starts at Rs .1,250 and can go up to Rs 1,800 depending on size, while for adults, the costumes start at Rs 1,800 an can go up to Rs 2,250. The accesories start at Rs 100 onwards. To rent a costume at Fantasy Creations, the average starting price is Rs 350 - Rs 400, and for adults, prices start at around Rs 400- Rs 450. Accessories like devil horns can be bought forRs 100.
Popular picks
Owners of costumes shops that rent and sell them, say that witches, devils and skeletons are the most popular variety, followed by superheroes, characters from fairy tales and cartoons. However, items such as devil horns, scary teeth and masks sell more than full costumes.