By Holly Ween, Scare Reporter

This week is all about costumes!

One of the best and scariest parts of Halloween is becoming someone (or something) else for a night. Thanks (or no thanks) to Google, YouTube, Amazon, Etsy, etc., trick or treaters can now search for virtually anything, show their parents how to make it, buy it, have it made and more! The phrase, “Hey! It’s only $300!” to describe a must have accessory has had me muttering spells under my breath more than once! But with a little ingenuity, creativity and a quick talk about budget, all can have a ton of fun on All Hallows’ Eve.

Locally, there are a chock full of fun places to hunt for the perfect costume. Pattye’s Closet (2242 Honolulu Ave. in Montrose) is full of decently affordable era and vintage clothing, jewelry and other accessories. It is a great place to find vintage Hollywood, attire from the ’60s and, of course, glamour.

Goodwill (6545 Foothill Blvd., Tujunga) is packed with items from different eras and of varying styles. Look there for costumes that need to be distressed, partially destroyed or added to some key higher price items that pull it all together. Zombies, Blues Brothers, FBI, Crazy Cat Lady, Fighter Pilot and Halo jumpsuits are just some of what I have seen come out of there.

For those who aren’t sure what they want to be, need inspiration or need something quick, check out the Spirit Halloween store that opened up for the season at the former Aaron Brothers Art & Framing store (475 Foothill Blvd. in La Cañada). From Fortnight to Five Nights at Freddy’s, sexy cat, bat, witch, ghoul, emoji (yup, sexy emoji) and everything in-between, there’s something for everybody.

Still stuck for an idea? Or just in need of a quick easy costume? Try these on for size:

– Wear anything gray, pin cotton balls in clumps sporadically on pants and top. Carry a small spray bottle of water – poof! You are Cloudy with a Chance of Showers!

– Wear regular clothes, attach socks, underwear, other clothing items and dryer sheets – whammo! You are Static Cling!

– White slip, night gown, or white scrubs: smear with real dirt or face make-up, dark eyeshadows or chalk, buy an angel halo headband, tilt it sideways and tadah! A Fallen Angel!

Still have your collection of name tags and hairnets from your “joe” jobs? Huzzah! Look at that – a costume!

Whatever you decide to be or put together for your tricksters, have fun and create lasting memories that will haunt them (in a good way) for years!

  Holly Ween, Scare Reporter