Anne-Margaret Swary Columns
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Stating the obvious

By Anne-Margaret Swary The Citizen

It's a good thing Fantasy Fest happens just once year -- and not because of all the crowds and debauchery that occurs.

It's too expensive to be held more frequently. And I'm one of the lucky ones who didn't have to entertain guests this year on top of all the other stuff we spend money on that week.

Not counting what was spent on drinks and cover charges for various events, I'm in the whole about $200 for one costume for my husband and I for Friday's Masquerade March.

I would have loved to dress up for some other events I haven't attended before, but I just plain couldn't afford it.

Sure, there are some of you out there who are able to put together great costumes just by raiding the racks at Salvation Army and Ross and borrowing bits and pieces from friends, but I didn't have my act together early enough for that.

No, I was one of those people squeezing through the aisles and displays at Fairvilla and Fantasy Costumes last weekend scrambling for last-minute ideas.

I thought I'd be able to save money by using some stuff from my own closet to create my vixeny saloon girl costume to accompany my husband, who was dressed as the outlaw Jesse James.

But the more I researched my costume, the more stuff I decided I "needed" -- fishnet tights, two petticoats, gloves, jewelry, a feather headdress, fake eyelashes and lace-up boots. And before I knew it, I had spent $131 on my costume. Oops.

I always say I don't know how to do things halfway.

I also had hoped that I wouldn't have to buy much to make my husband look like a gunslinging cowboy, but I couldn't find an appropriate vest or jacket and ended up ordering him a costume online for $50. At least his included a hat, holsters and "cravat" for that price and the shipping was free. But I spent another $10 for a blue bandanna and cap gun that he just had to have. (Yes, I know the "no weapons" policy, but you can't really dress like an outlaw without the fake pistol, can you?)

I had hoped to dress up as a vampire cheerleader another night but decided I absolutely could not justify spending another $59.95 for a flimsy top and skirt that barely covered my derriere. Plus I'd have to buy face paint, fangs and fake blood to get the effect I was going for.

I would love to know what the costumes companies actually spend to produce most of the costumes they put out.

The picture on the front of the package always looks great, but when you put it on, you're often confronted with cheap material and flimsy accessories. Many of these scantily designed costumes include barely more than 2 square feet of fabric. It would almost be more accurate if they added the word "Slutty" to the front of every costume, because let's face it -- there is nothing demure about any of the local costume options.

I also take issue with the fact that the costume usually includes about half of the items actually pictured on the package. You always have to read the fine print of what is inside the bag and what you're going to have to pay extra for to complete the look.

Sure, that Greek goddess costume looks cool for $59.95. But if you want to look like that sexy girl on the package, you're going to have to spend another $60 to get those cool-looking sandals, "gold" necklace and arm band, and laurel leaf headband.

I can only imagine what some of the tourists spend to dress up every night of the week. One woman in the dressing room next to me at Fairvilla was trying on outfits for the Party in Plaid, the Red Party, the Masquerade March, the parade night and another private party she was attending where the theme was "twisted Disney" or something like that. Her friend was busy fetching shoes and accessories for each look. I have no doubt she walked about with $500 in merchandise. I hope she had a great time this week and got her money's worth.

Anne-Margaret Swary is The Citizen's business editor. Her column runs exclusively every other Sunday. She can be reached at amswary@keysnews.com.