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It's Augest. What does that mean? Lots of Halloween catalogs, and (sometimes) the first of the Christmas catalogs.

Bored this afternoon, I decided to flip through a costume catalog for kids. I've always thought kids costumes were cute, and even as a kid whose mom made my costumes, I'd always look through them.

I did the same thing last year, and made the same observation. So I decided to bring it up- I've noticed a large number of very goth inspired costumes. Now, even putting aside the obvious connections, it seemed clear to me that many of these costumes were even replicating real brand accessories.

Check out this "Monster Bride" costume- Here. Fuzzy, Swear-alternative style boots? Check. "Stitch"-tights? Check. Vinyl-looking skirt, corset, top hat, arm-warmers, and skull-bag all present as well.

This one is almost eerly similar to the kind of stuff you find on Heavy Red, complete with chunk-heel boots and red & black striped bodice.

Flipping through the catalog and website's pages, I saw more and more of these costumes. Boy's, girl's, adult-sized version, accessories, make-up kits... it was practically like going to a Clan of Xymox concert. Hell, I'm pretty sure I've seen adult women wearing real outfit versions of these costumes.

Discussion Topics:

- Like the costumes?
- Do you think this is a sign of greater acceptance of goth fashion, or some vaguely insulting comerciallization of goth fashion as "goth costumes"?
- ...wish you could get a real outfit that cool for $29.99?

Hmmm...It's a bit ironic, i think. I used to buy alot of my stuff over to iparty cause it was cheap, and i used to see a lot of goth and punk halloween costumes and jewelry. It may just be a small trend in the costuming buissinus, but otherwise, its going to make a more mainstream statement. And thats going to open the door for some other styles i think too.

hmm......this sounds like an interesting way to get good-looking stuff cheaply....heh....and then....EBAY.....

....anyway....I might look into this......

i love some of the new costumes they have.i usually do some clothes shooping around now,to see if i can find any costumes that would work as real clothes.i also love to get accesories for my room.

I agree with the "it's not Halloween!" comment.
I can honestly say that with how long this has been going on, with there always being someone who's dressing "different," that I don't understand how so many people, kids and adults alike, can just...get so worked up about it.

I like the costumes. I'd wear them if I thought they suited me at all. I'm not the type to wear them. But yes, I would wear them as Halloween costumes, if they came in bigger sizes. mad

I don't really think, though, that it's really going to encourage very many to explore different clothes/cultures, etc. The most I'd imagine hearing is, "Oh, that's an awesome costume." Then it'd all be dropped.

I noticed a bit of this coming on last year. Many people's comstumes seemed to have been inspired by lolita fashions and then worked into school uniforms.

This will probably be one out of small amount of things that will come out of this new Halloween trend. The fact that goth fashions are being used as Halloween costumes isn't really suprising though. (see -Resurrected Writer-'s comment) Possibly, people will probably be more likely to think you were wearing a costume then your everyday outfits as a result of this...