Are you more naughty nurse or wicked werewolf? This weekend is when the freaks come out to play, so get amongst the fun by looking the part. For the last couple of years now, sexy has trumped scary when it comes to Beijingers?dress-up threads of choice come Halloween. That said, there's always room for another ghost at the party. Read on for where to find costumes, plus a couple of ideas to help you pick the get-up that suits your style, whether you aim to scare or seduce.

 

SHOPPING

 

77th Street

 

Scary masks, colorful wigs, spiderman suits and more. Costumes and props for shows. Price: 35-265 yuan, open 10:00am ?9:00pm.

 

No.115 store, A area, B2-3/F, 77th Street Shopping Center of Xidan Culture Square, No.180 north street of Xi Dan, Xicheng District. 西城區西單文化廣場77街購物中心B2, A區115號地下夾層13681308264

 

Beijing Beeta Culture Company北京貝塔文化傳播有限公司

 

This company rents and sell professional costumes of animals, ghosts, pirates, princesses, cartoon figures, etc. Price: 10-600 yuan to hire, 20-3600 yuan to buy, open 8:30am ?6:00pm.

 

Suite 2106, Building 15-1, Baihuan Jiayuan Community, Shuangjing Bridge, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 6844-4222/877-29041, 朝陽區雙井橋百環家園15號樓1單元2106室. Email: beeta@126.com, website: http://www.beeta.cn

 

Yashow Market 雅秀

 

Find bling pieces to create your own costume, or stalls stocking belly dancing costumes and other fancy dress wear. Price: negotiable, open 9:30am ?9pm.

 

No.4127, 4/F, SanlitunYashow Clothing Market, No.58 Gongti'bei Lu, Chaoyang district. 6413-2425. 朝陽區工體北路58號三里屯雅秀市場4樓4127號

 

HOLA Home Furnishing Store Jinsiji Store

 

Halloween costumes for both adults and children. Candies for children under 12 in Halloween clothing on October 27-28.

 

Underground level one, Jinsiji Shopping Center, 117 North West Fourth Ring Road, Haidian District. Southwest corner of Sijiqing Qiao. 8849-5555.海淀區西四環北路117號(四季青橋西南角) 金四季購物中心地下一層

 

COSTUME IDEAS

 

Doctors and nurses: If you're male, just throw on a stethoscope over your scrubs and you're set to go. For girls, it's the tiny, white uniform with matching cap and red cross.

 

 

Belly dancer: Beads and chiffon equals stunning, plus it's a super-easy option if you're already a fan of this dance fad.

 

Olympica: Give a nod to next year's Games by dressing up in Houston Rockets?red and white and go as Yao Ming, if you've got height on your side, or if you can brave the cold, as a swimsuit-clad diving diva Guo Jingjing.

 

Zhong Kui: A black face with bulging eyes and a comic beard while brandishing a magic sword will make you a convincing ghost vanquisher, a fearsome character of Chinese folklore.

 

Yanluo and his minions: This group decides on the arrival and departure of each ghost to the underworld. A Chinese judge's cap is a must for ruler Yanluo, while the two minions wear a mask featuring either an ox-head or a horse face.

 

Jiang Shi: Pale face with dark circles under eyes, a long tongue between serrated teeth. Dressed in Qing Dynasty garb with arms outstretched, this is the Chinese vampire. Most importantly, hop, don't walk.

 

(China Daily October 31, 2007)