How to be a master of disguise

New Glasgow - You rack your brain the weeks leading up to Halloween trying to come up with the perfect costume. But no matter how creative you are, when you get to the party there is always someone wearing the costume you wish you had thought of.
Not this year.
Darryl Moir, who has been an expert in Halloween costumes for 22 years, says if you want a costume sure to impress, humour can't be beat.
"Humour is the hottest thing that is happening this season," says the owner of Moirs Costumes and Events.
"One of the most creative costume request I had was from a couple who came in to the store last night. The man wanted to dress as a really old Hugh Heffner and the woman as an aging playboy bunny, complete with cellulite and wrinkles."
Also popular this Halloween is the renaissance costume. Moir says the CBC television show The Tudors has made costumes such as Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII popular among adults.
Moir says couple costumes are flying off the shelves of his Truro-based costume shop. Celebrity inspired costumes such as Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are popular this year.
And for young adults, cutesy kittens and nurses are always in style.
"For children, this year I have had some of the strangest requests. People are asking for banana, chili pepper and taco costumes."
Moirs says he brought in 600 costumes this season and he has no intention of selling out before Friday.
Neither does Pat Cook, who has roughly 400 costumes in the basement of her Linacy home.
"Every year there seems to be a trend," says the owner of Pat's Costume Shop. "One year it's pirates, another its Egyptian costumes. But this year it's a mish mash."
Rachel McLaughlin says choosing an adult Halloween is no easy task. The 26-year-old says she has dressed up every Halloween since she was one and considers herself an expert in finding the perfect costume for every occasion.
"For adults, I would suggest a costume inspired by what's popular on television or cinema. This year, I'm going as Carrie from Sex and the City."
"If you have trouble deciding remember your costume should start a conversation and be a reflection of who you are."