Ghoulish and Sexy Celebrity Halloween Costumes

Oct. 23, 2006 — -- It's the question that haunts ghosts and goblins of any age this time of year:

What am I going to be for Halloween?

But for young women on the hunt for something extra special, Tinseltown can be a gold mine.

Trashy Lingerie in Los Angeles has designed intimate apparel for Hollywood's glitterati for more than 30 years. Madonna, Nicole Kidman, Heather Locklear, Carmen Electra and Paris Hilton have all snared slips and snips of the spicy lingerie wear.

But Halloween calls for something extra special.

Nicole Kidman has snatched up a pirate costume. Paris Hilton is being fitted for a bunny disguise. And Carmen Electra will take a turn as a French maid.

Halloween is big business at Trashy Lingerie: The holiday accounts for 75 percent of the store's revenue. The company starts designing in April, producing prototypes in June. By July, the costumes are already getting snatched up.

Prices for its in-store costumes range from $200 to $400, but if you're buying a custom-made princess costume -- like Tara Reid -- it will cost more.

"The stars usually go for the new designs first. For instance, the pirate has been a very popular costume for the past three years. There are at least 40 pirate costumes and probably 10 new styles alone this year," says Bridget Silvestri, Trashy's PR director.

What sets the trend for consumer costume demands from year to year?

Hollywood movies definitely influence best sellers. Disney's blockbuster "Pirates of the Caribbean" attracted young adults not only because its high-flying action sequences but also because of the popularity of the cast.

"And I think they find it appealing to dress up as what they say is 'hot' during the year," National Retail Federation spokeswoman Kathy Grannis said.

Even if you aren't a size zero like Nicole Kidman, a pirate's life may still be for you.

"It's still really hip and cool to be a pirate. There are many styles because there is a corseted overdress, which fights a lot of faults. This costume is great to camouflage or cover things up," Silvestri said.