Starting in September, we’ll do weekly updates as we see what costumes are “hot” for 2008! How do we figure out the trends?  We gather information from major online retailers, particularly the ones that provide their best seller lists.  This post is about new costumes for 2008.

The popular new costumes for boys are loaded with super hero and movie characters.  The top costumes include Batman Dark Knight Costumes (both Batman and Joker are popular), Indiana Jones Costumes, Transformers Costumes, Ironman Costumes, and Pokemon Costumes. Find where to purchase these great New Costumes for 2008.

Not surprising, the popular girls’ Halloween costumes are also famous characters.  There are several cute new costumes for High School Musical Sharpay, Gabriella, Hannah Montana, and Sesame Street’s Abby Cadabby.  Find the Popular New Girls’ Costumes.

The mens’ costumes are similar to the boys favorites. The popular costumes include Batman Dark Knight Joker Costumes, Indiana Jones Costumes, and Halo 3 Costumes.

The popular new costumes for women include several disco costumes, the Dark Heart Queen of Hearts costume, and a class Tinker Bell Costume.  Find tons of fun Disco Party Costumes.

It may seem a little early for Halloween costumes but if you know what you want and it’s among the popular new costumes, pick it up early because some will sell out.

Batman The Dark Knight movie set a record for midnight sales and is expected to continue with record breaking sales throughout today and this week-end.  Many of the fans showed up in Batman capes, costumes, and masks.  And of course, the Joker outfits were big too.

Batman Costumes come with the traditional jumpsuit, cape, boot tops, headpiece and belt.  The muscle chest version for just a little more than the standard is worth it for the awesome look!  Batman is available in infant, toddler, child, tween and adult sizes.  Batgirl (although not from the current movie) is still a great costume making for a fun couple’s outfit or just a great costume for the female Batman fans!

The Joker Costumes come in standard, deluxe and grand versions. The Joker Costume includes the purple jacket and green vest with the diabolical face mask and wig.  There are also several clown masks including the School Bus Driver, Dopey, Grumpy, Happy, and Chuckles. I can see some fun and strange parties with bringing several masks and changing them throughout the evening. Unfortunately, some of these new costumes and masks will not be in stock until August.  The ones that are in stock now are expected to sell out early. Based on the popularity of the movie, these will be in demand Halloween costumes.  The Joker masks can be quite scary so use your judgement around small children.

Find the New Batman Costumes now!

The Iron Man Movie continues to do well at the box office with both popular and critical acclaim. We know that the guys are going to want to dress as Iron Man for Halloween this year.  For the kids, there are 3 versions of the 2008 Iron Man Costume - the standard, the muscle chest and the muscle chest costume that also lights up. The light up chest is a uni-beam projector!  The adult Iron Man Costume is very similar to the child’s muscle chest version.

There are also some Iron Man costumes available from earlier years that are a bit more brightly colored in red and yellow. A teen size is available in these costumes and you might be able to get some deals as they are sure to be on sale.

With any costume that is bound to be popular because of the movie success, we suggest that you purchase your costumes early.  You can find all variations and sizes of the new Iron Man Costumes here.

The fifth of May is just around the corner and it’s time to plan your party attire!  Now many think that the 5th of May is the Mexican Independence Day but it really isn’t.  Mexico declared it’s independence from Span on the 15th of September, 1810 and that is the date celebrated in Mexico.  Cinco de May is celebrated more in the U.S. and is actually the date that Mexico defeated the French near Mexico City on May 5, 1862.

 We celebrate with Mexican beer, Margaritas, Spanish food, and of course a little Spanish attire adds to the atmosphere. Check out some great Senorita and Bandido costumes, order now and get in the mood for a fiesta!

Just arrived today, paper masks for all of the major political candidates including Barack Obama, John McCain, Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee, and Ron Paul. These are inexpensive, $.99 masks! Hand them out at your next gathering so everyone can wave them high and show their support!

Here’s another fun part of these masks: Since 2000, buycostumes has had a perfect record in predicting the next President of the United States based on the sales of candidates masks. So, the more you buy, the more likely your candidate will win (wish it were that simple, don’t you)!!!

Find the 2008 Candidate Masks here.

Costume Kingdom also has a great sale going on! 30% off everything on the website. A great Blowout sale!

The Spirit of Halloween has joined the Halloween costumes sales with 50% of site wide through November 14!

Halloween is only 2 days away and if you really want something, you could still get an overnight shipment for Tuesday.  With the sale prices, you could justify the shipping charges.  What also makes sense is to pick up something for next year or some great dress up clothes for the kids for Christmas.  Hey, you could even pick up a Santa Suit and have some fun with the kids during the holidays.  Here’s some of the deals that are available right now.

At BuyCostumes, use coupon code SWEEP25 to receive 25% off everything on the site through November 2, 2007.

Every costume is on sale at Costume Craze, no coupon required:

There were some new adult costumes for 2007 that sold out quickly. Others are still available even as we approach Halloween. Some of the hot costumes included:

Spartan 300 - Based on the 300 Movie released in March of 2007, the popular costumes included a deluxe and standard Spartan as well as Queen Gorgo. As the Spartan costumes were sold out, wanna be Spartans were still able to purchase the King Leonidas helmet and a Spartan Headpiece.  These could be combined with a red cloth toga to make a great costume! Also hard to find is the scary Immortal Costume.  There is inventory at a few places. Check out sources for Spartan 300 Costumes here.

The new costumes from Pirates of the Caribbean 3 are popular and we have found that the ladies really like the Elizabeth pirate costumes better than the Elizabeth Geisha Costumes. So if you do like they Geisha costume, you’re in luck because it is still available! Also hard to find are the new Jack Sparrow Costumes and the adult Davey Jones Costumes.  But if you want to the the Maccus Sharkman, this great costume is still in stock.

The Hugh Hefner Smoking Jacket with Playboy logo was new last year and this year an XL size jacket was added to the line. It sold out last year and again this year.  Who doesn’t want to be a Playboy?

We think we found something that folks don’t want to be - that is plus size Hairspray characters. The costumes are still readily available (well maybe buycostumes just had a huge inventory).

In 2006, there was a black venom costume from Spiderman that was really hard to find. This year there are black suited Spiderman as well as Venom and Goblin costumes. They are popular and still readily available as most costume retailers were well stocked this year.

Marie Antoinette is widely popular this year. Last year when the movie was out, the costumes there were very few costume options, one of the best being an expensive and sexy Playboy Saucy Marie Costume.  This year there are many different styles of sexy Marie costumes in blue, pink, peach colors and short skirts. Some have sold out but with some searching there are still some great costumes available.

Tom Arma costumes are always popular and this year is no exception.  For the last few years, buycostumes has had exclusive rights to Tom Arma costumes.  There were just 2 new styles this year, the Tom Arma Flamingo Costume and the Tom Arma Panda Bear with Toy Costume.  The costumes with toys always sell out quickly! As of today, there are still Flamingo costumes and Panda Bear costumes in stock in infant sizes.  The extended sizes (toddler) tend to sell out first. The gorilla and zebra which were new last year, are also still available in infant sizes.

 Valerie Tabor Smith Costumes are new this year and exclusive from costumecraze.  They are beautiful costumes for little girls and very reasonably priced. Available sizes are 1-2 and 2-4 and they are must $24.95.

There are several Shrek infant and toddler costumes which are just adorable!