Costume Watch: Themes
by Vera H-C ChanSep 16, 2008
Imagine, if you will, a Halloween without Disney. Okay, wipe your tears—it can't be done. Seemingly every year, Disney-themed costumes top the Search charts. Specific character costumes, as noted in an earlier log, may be pop culture-influenced, but the Magic Kingdom nearly owns All Souls' Eve.
Many of the other thematic costume queries stick to tried-and-true Western traditions, from shipsacking robbers (#4) to the Wild West (#19). Japanese subculture shows up twice (#9 and #16). The era of Enlightenment (#6) proves more popular than the decade of shoulder pads (#11), and the Grecian form of casual wear (#14) is easier to put together than the Jazz Age symbol of female defiance (#20).
Halloween explores that thin membrane between the living and the dead, but the most popular themes show that celebrants prefer a fantasy play and a few homages to history. Experience a few flashbacks as we review the top 20 thematic costume searches from the past 30 days.
| 1. | Disney | 11. | '80s | |
| 2. | Star Wars | 12. | Princess | |
| 3. | Dance | 13. | Vampire | |
| 4. | Pirate | 14. | Toga | |
| 5. | Fairy | 15. | Wizard of Oz | |
| 6. | Renaissance | 16. | Anime | |
| 7. | Playboy Bunny | 17. | '70s | |
| 8. | Mermaid | 18. | Superhero | |
| 9. | Cosplay | 19. | Cowgirl | |
| 10. | Belly Dance | 20. | Flapper |