Creepy costume costs may spook parents
Mothers and fathers are begged and beseeched to splurge large sums of money kitting out the little darlings in the most popular costumes of the day. Angela Kerrigan, from Blackrock, Co Dublin, is no exception. “They’ll all have to get a costume. I’ll probably spend €50 per child,” Ms Kerrigan said as she browsed her way around Wigwam, in the St Stephen’s Green shopping centre, in search of outfits for her four children, aged from eight to 15.
The shop, run by two ladies from the Philippines, is frequented by well-known glitterati such as Miss World Rosanna Davison and entertainer Twink.
For Katie Kerrigan, aged nine, the Gothic vampire outfit, one of the big hits with children this year, was a must-have. Made with real velvet, at €27 it’s a steal. As proof of the outfit’s pulling power, Katie’s friend Jennifer wanted something similar.
“It’s our biggest seller,” said Alona Uy and Carlota Pineda of Wigwam. “All the kids love them. We had a delivery of 50 and they’re all gone. But we are getting in more.”
At the top end, the full Scooby Doo costume sells in Dublin shops from between €77 to €99 - depending on the degree of detail and where you buy.
The elaborate Supergirl garb, with real fabric, is €70, but the impressive Batman tops them all at €118.
At Special Day on Grafton Street, a fairly basic vampire outfit weighed in at €11.95 (The fangs are extra). This was the going rate for a limited range of children’s outfits.
Clodagh, five, went shopping in Argos with her mother and aunt Demelza Kirwan and Vicky Sherry for a fairy outfit.
“Girls are more expensive,” the mothers agreed. The Barbie fairy dress alone cost €30. Accessorising with wings, wand and tiara bumped the cost up to almost €55.
Ordinary angel or fairy wings are €15 but real feather wings run to €24.
Vicky’s son Stephen, six, couldn’t make up his mind what to wear to the school’s Hallowe’en party, although the vampire outfit was fancied.
