As a child, Rose McCulloch was never permitted by her parents to partake in the beloved Halloween tradition of trick-or-treating. Today, however, she has transformed her childhood restrictions into expertise as the co-owner of McCulloch’s Costume & Party Supplies, a prominent costume shop serving London, Ontario, all year round.
With an impressive 36 years of experience working in the store, McCulloch has developed a deep understanding of which costumes maintain their popularity over time and which quickly fade into obscurity.
“There’s always somebody who wants to be a saloon girl, a cowboy, or any of those classic characters,” McCulloch explained. “While these costumes endure, the styles often evolve slightly to adapt to current trends.”
McCulloch pointed out that costumes have significantly changed over the decades, reflecting broader cultural shifts.
“When we first introduced plus-size costumes, our selection was extremely limited, offering about four styles: your standard priest, nun, witch, and devil,” McCulloch recalled. “Now, we have an entire wall dedicated to plus-sized costumes, catering to sizes from 1X to 3X.”
She also emphasized the advancements in costume quality since the store’s inception in 1962. In the early days of the business, costumes were commonly crafted from plastic and intended for single-use. Today, they resemble everyday clothing in both style and comfort.
“The whole thing has evolved to be much more akin to streetwear,” McCulloch added.
As Halloween approaches this year, McCulloch forecasted a revival of fan favorites such as Beetlejuice, Deadpool, and Art the Clown, all expected to grace the doorsteps of trick-or-treaters.
“Our industry is profoundly influenced by movies and television shows,” McCulloch observed. “Recently, social media trends have also started to heavily impact costume choices.”
However, the ebb and flow of media popularity means that Halloween costume trends shift remarkably from year to year. Below are some of the costume trends McCulloch has uniquely witnessed over the past five decades.
The 1980s
The initial wave of excitement in costume sales that McCulloch experienced was largely driven by the ALF craze, the charming alien character from the hit American sitcom.
“It was a latex mask with brown fur, complemented by a matching furry costume,” McCulloch remarked. “Every other child seemed to want to wear that costume.”
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With its prime location on Dundas Street, McCulloch’s Costume and Party Supplies has established itself as a beloved east London destination since 1962, especially during the Halloween season. Rose McCulloch recently appeared on London Morning to discuss the high-demand costumes for the spooky occasion.
She noted that movie characters, including E.T. and Freddy Krueger from A Nightmare on Elm Street, were also big hits during this decade.
“On the eve of Halloween, my husband brought in a case of gross [144] Freddy Krueger masks, and we completely sold out by the following day,” she shared.
The 1990s
Costumes based on the Star Wars franchise dominated the scene throughout the 1990s, according to McCulloch. Iconic characters like Darth Vader, Anakin Skywalker, and Stormtroopers frequently adorned trick-or-treaters, though there was an exception.
“After watching a Star Wars film featuring Jar Jar Binks, my husband and I thought his character was hilarious, and we just had to order costumes for it,” McCulloch recounted. “Unfortunately, Jar Jar flopped in our store.”
Furthermore, the ’90s ushered in the rise of “sexy” costumes—an enduring trend that McCulloch says is here to stay.
“For every character, we saw manufacturers reinterpret the outfits to be sexier—shortened skirts for something like Alice in Wonderland, for instance,” she elaborated.
The 2000s
During the early 2000s, costume trends remained largely stagnant, with Star Wars continuing to command attention as new movies were released every few years.
Marvel superheroes began to take center stage following the launch of the Marvel Cinematic Universe with Iron Man in 2008.
The 2010s
As superhero films flourished throughout the 2010s, McCulloch observed a notable increase in costumes inspired by these characters as new movies and TV shows proliferated.
“The industry is keenly aware of movie releases, ensuring that they modify costumes with each new film,” she stated.
In particular, Harley Quinn emerged as a standout costume during this decade, with fans of all ages clamoring for the iconic red and blue ensemble made famous by the film Suicide Squad in 2016.
Towards the end of the 2010s, the landscape of costume technology began to shift, marked by the introduction of inflatable costumes and LED masks as the industry continued to diversify its offerings.
The 2020s
Looking ahead to this year, McCulloch mentioned that traditional costumes depicting nurses and doctors are likely to see a downturn in popularity.
“Nurses and doctors used to be a Halloween staple, but after COVID-19, that interest diminished,” she noted. “Few people want to dress as figures who represent such vital professions in our society.”
Instead, McCulloch highlighted that many of her best-selling costumes pay tribute to various decades, reflecting nostalgic themes.
Costumes inspired by the ’60s “hippie chick” or the ’70s “disco king” fly off the shelves at McCulloch’s, with many customers opting to wear them for decade-themed parties or as everyday attire.
However, embracing Halloween doesn’t require adherence to trendy themes. McCulloch emphasized the joy of creativity, stating, “I like people who are creative, and I like to help them be creative. If you take somebody who has some imagination and you work with them, that’s my favorite customer to assist.”
Interview with Rose McCulloch: A Journey from Trick-or-Treating Rejection to Costume Expertise
Editor: Thank you for joining us today, Rose. It’s fascinating to see how your childhood experiences have shaped your career. Can you share a little about how not being allowed to trick-or-treat influenced your journey into the costume business?
Rose McCulloch: Absolutely! Growing up without the chance to participate in trick-or-treating definitely gave me a different perspective on Halloween. I think it sparked a fascination with costumes and a desire to create memorable experiences for others. Now, being able to provide that joy to children and adults alike is incredibly fulfilling.
Editor: With 36 years of experience in the costume industry, you must have seen a lot of changes over the decades. Can you tell us how costume styles have evolved?
Rose McCulloch: The change has been remarkable! Initially, costumes were pretty basic—think plastic and one-time use. Today, they’re much higher quality and resemble everyday clothing. We’re also seeing styles evolve to reflect societal trends. For example, we now have an entire wall of plus-size costumes, which we didn’t have when we started.
Editor: That’s great to hear! Speaking of trends, what are some of the most popular costumes you’re expecting to see this Halloween?
Rose McCulloch: This year, we anticipate a resurgence of beloved characters like Beetlejuice, Deadpool, and Art the Clown. The influence of films and social media can really drive trends. What’s popular one year can change dramatically the next, which keeps the business exciting!
Editor: You mentioned movies and television influencing costume popularity. Can you reflect on specific trends you experienced in different decades?
Rose McCulloch: Sure! In the 1980s, the ALF craze took off—everyone wanted that furry costume! The ’90s brought us Star Wars costumes, which were a staple, but we also learned that not every character, like Jar Jar Binks, would resonate with our customers. The 2000s saw Marvel superheroes explode in popularity, and that has only continued into the 2010s with more superhero films and characters gaining immense popularity.
Editor: It’s interesting to see how pop culture shapes these trends. what advice would you give to someone looking to choose the perfect costume for Halloween?
Rose McCulloch: My advice would be to have fun with it! Think about what you enjoy—characters from movies or even themes you’re passionate about. Costumes should reflect your personality and bring joy. At the end of the day, Halloween is about creativity and having a good time!
Editor: Thank you so much, Rose! It’s been a pleasure hearing your insights into the world of Halloween costumes, and we wish you a successful season ahead!
Rose McCulloch: Thank you for having me! Happy Halloween to everyone!
G>: It’s interesting how trends shift! You mentioned that the influence of movies and social media is significant. How have you adapted to these changes in your costume offerings?
Rose McCulloch: We’ve had to be very proactive. Every time a film comes out, particularly in the superhero genre or horror, we pay attention to what characters are trending. We modify our inventory accordingly to ensure we have those high-demand costumes ready for our customers. It’s a constant dance of being ahead of the curve!
Editor: Given your extensive experience, can you share a memorable moment from your time in the costume business?
Rose McCulloch: One of my fondest memories was during the height of the ’80s ALF craze. We had an overwhelming demand for ALF costumes. My husband was up all night making sure we had enough stock for Halloween, and we sold out the day before! It was a whirlwind of excitement and a clear sign of how passionate people are about Halloween.
Editor: That’s quite a story! As we look toward the future of costume trends, are there any particular themes or ideas that excite you?
Rose McCulloch: I’m really looking forward to seeing how nostalgia continues to play a role. People love revisiting past decades through their costumes. It’s heartening to see how they embrace creativity. Each year, I enjoy helping someone turn a unique idea into reality—it brings a lot of joy and inspiration to my work.
Editor: Thank you so much, Rose, for sharing your insights today! It’s clear that your passion for costumes and creativity shines through in everything you do.
Rose McCulloch: Thank you for having me! Halloween is a special time of year, and I’m grateful to be a part of it.
