Scaring up the perfect costume

It's the one night of the year you can let your inner princess out. Or hip-swiveling Elvis or kinky french maid. Whether you choose to be a sword-wielding, swashbuckling pirate or wear nothing but a loin cloth, it\'s up to you to decide who gets your business this Halloween. \nRead on to make up your mind about where to shop this Halloween. \nBlast Off Balloons\nBlast Off Balloons' cheerful atmosphere is obviously the result of partner Pamela Ladd's 20-year dedication to her work.\n"Balloons are our business," she says. \nBut balloons aren't her only business. The store does offer more than 500 costumes for rental.\n"Our inventory started with our balloon delivery costumes. People wanted to rent them, and it's just progressed from there," Ladd says. "Whatever is new in the movie world dictates what people are going to ask for, or maybe some mutilated form of that." \nBlast Off Balloons, 422 E. Kirkwood Ave., has accumulated costumes according to this demand for the past 15 years. "But somebody is always Popeye," she adds.\nPrices tend to vary on costumes, but plan to spend between $25 and $40 for an ensemble without accessories. All costumes are full price the first night and half price each additional night, with no limit on how long you keep them. There is a minimum damage deposit of $20, but the deposit is usually equal to the price of the costume. Employees will make a copy of your credit card for security purposes.\nBlast Off Balloons employees are enthusiastic about helping potential customers. If the store doesn't carry what the customer is asking for, Ladd has a few solutions.\n"If we don't have it, we could order it," she says. "But the catalogue would need enough notice."\nLadd is full of the sunshine and optimism that her balloon business brings to her customers. \n"If all else fails, we could try to put something together for you, or recommend someone else. We could accessorize the costume even if we don't carry it. We'll do our best to give you ideas, and hopefully you'll come back and shop with us." \nCostume Delights \nAppearances can be deceiving, and they definitely are at Costume Delights. The modest building that sits at 336 S. Walnut St. conceals the exuberant attitude of the employees and the 7,000 costume rentals enclosed within. It should come as no surprise if you feel at ease right away inside this store. It's cozy and comfortable, despite being packed to the ceiling with costumes. \nAlice Fulk, owner of Costume Delights, is most often found in her sewing room in the back of the store, busy making costumes to satisfy her customer's requests. Due to its off-campus location, Costume Delights enjoys more business from out-of-town clients and permanent Bloomington residents than other stores. \nIn the past, Fulk did 75 percent of her business with students, but now it's closer to 25 percent. \n"My business doubled overnight and continued doing so for three years when I moved to John Q. Public Street," Fulk says. \nFulk takes her job very seriously and has for the past 20 years. "My motto is, 'if I don't have it, I can make it,'" she says.\nShe's even owned material to make a Scarlet O'Hara dress for five years, just waiting for someone to ask her to make it. This year, someone finally did.\n"These (costumes) are like my babies. I've got costumes that I'm afraid to show people because I'm afraid they'll rent them," she says laughing.\nIn reality, though, Fulk has no problem renting her mostly hand-made costumes. The prices range from $8 to $125; it just depends what you are looking for. Costume Delights charges the one-day rate for a three-day rental. There's no damage deposit required, but Costume Delights will make an imprint of your credit card to ensure payment on irreparable damages.\nIt's hard to pinpoint what the most popular costumes are because they change year to year.\n"The movie industry will dictate what people ask for," Fulk says. "Last year it was 'Austin Powers' characters, but this year it seems to be Elvis. I'm kind of dumfounded by it; I thought for sure there'd be a lot of requests for 'Gladiator' costumes, but there aren't."\nCostume Delights has a wide variety of ensembles and helpful employees who enjoy their work. It is obvious Fulk loves what she does, especially when she talks about her experiences.\n"The knight in shining armor [costume] usually goes out for a man to propose. That's the most fun about being in the business -- when customers come back and they have had fun. Things so sentimental... happen to me here."\nRags T Riches \nIf you're looking for employees who fawn all over you, maybe Rags T Riches isn't the best place . But for what it lacks in friendliness, it makes up for in flavor.\nRags T Riches, 1809 E. 10th St., doubles as a tanning bed operator and costume rental store. This is evident from the distinct tanning bed smell that permeates the store.\nMary Baxter, an employee for the past three years, says their store does 50 percent of their business in costume rental, but the other 50 percent is from tanning. But she says Rags T Riches offers customers thousands of costumes to choose from.\n"Ballerinas with tutus are always a riot for the guys," says Baxter. "'Austin Powers' and 'Star Wars' characters were big last year, too."\nThe price range at Rags T Riches is from $30-$160. A large assortment of accessories (Baxter says they have "jillions") is available as well, including wigs, hats, makeup and jewelry. You are responsible for damages done to the costume while it's under your care. There is a $20 damage deposit and only 24-hour rental during the Halloween season.\n"We do expect normal wear and tear," Baxter says. "We want you to have fun in them."\nBaxter says the choices of costumes at Rags T Riches are plentiful, but admits they don't have everything.\n"We don't get into the making of costumes," she says. "But you can mix and match a lot of stuff. But if we don't have it, you'll have to get it somewhere else."\nVintage Wearhouse \nWalking into the organized mess that is Vintage Wearhouse, 401 E. 4th St., might be a little much for an orderly customer. Shoving your way through cramped aisles spilling over with bell-bottoms, renaissance dresses and hats can be frustrating. The cluttered maze tends to be disorienting and you may be left to fend for yourself inside the store.\nEmployee Erika Schmied says they have more than 6,000 costumes to choose from, and she surprisingly knows exactly what they are and where they are located. Still, you better know what you want before you go in because Vintage Wearhouse is not the best place to browse for costumes. \nThe hodgepodge of costumes can accommodate all shapes and sizes of people at very reasonable prices. Costumes range between $20 and $35. Schmied says that $40 would be a lot to spend in their store, since nearly every costume comes with five free accessories.\nThere is a $20 damage deposit, but the rental is for as long as you need it. This policy makes Vintage Wearhouse the best bargain.\n"We are the least expensive store compared to Rags T Riches and Costume Delights," Schmied says.\nBut most of the costumes Vintage Wearhouse offers are simply regular clothing -- vintage clothing to be exact. '70s outfits with go-go boots are the most popular, and flapper dresses are close behind. \nEmployees at Vintage Wearhouse try to be as helpful as possible. \n"No matter what, we pretty much try to put it together for you. We try the best we can. I think all of them (costumes) are really great. I like watching people put them on -- that's what makes them fun."\nThis Halloween when you're getting ready to decide on a costume, take a chance on one of these stores. The odds are good that you'll find the perfect costume to let the inner princess shine through. And guys, if the tutus are all gone there's always the loin cloth. Happy haunting.