No Escape: Real World Celebrates Halloween

Michael Jackson. Amy Winehouse. Kate Gosselin. And Bernie Madoff. We're definitely keeping it real this Halloween.

This product image released by Aigner Prensky Marketing Group shows a Samurai costume.(AP Photo/Aigner Prensky Marketing Group)

(AP)

Costume suppliers predict this year's hot costumes will come from reality television, tabloid celebs and the high-profile deaths of two superstars (the other is Farrah Fawcett).

The National Retail Federation picks princesses, witches and Spider-Man as popular costumes for children, while party supply chain iParty's list of children's favorites includes Power Rangers, "Star Wars" characters and Dorothy from "The Wizard of Oz."

Vampires, clowns and pirates were top choices on the federation's adult costume list, while the list from retail chain Spirit Halloween includes Jackson, Gosselin, Britney Spears and Sarah Palin.

"Inspiration for Halloween costumes comes from the media, the movies, current events and pop culture," said Steven Silverstein, CEO and president of Spirit Halloween. "This year vampires are everywhere. You will see lots of tributes to Michael Jackson, from 'Thriller' to sequined gloves. And you may even see a Mr. Ponzi mask."

Here's a breakdown on what's hot for various categories.

BABIES

This year, moms can dress their babies up as Cinderella, Ariel, Sleeping Beauty and Snow White, said Karen Dodge, chief merchandising officer for Toys R Us. She said Babies R Us is offering those same costumes, along with Tinker Bell, for the first time in infant sizes.

Hooded furry animals also are strong sellers, said Dodge, such as monkeys, lambs, pigs, tigers and bumblebees.

The top searches of infant costumes on Yahoo! over the past 30 days included a lady bug, blossom/flower, Elvis, and Pebbles from "The Flintstones;" iParty's list had Thomas the Tank and Superman. And at Disney Stores, Nemo, Mickey and Minnie Mouse were strong sellers.

GIRLS

Disney princess costumes are all the rage again this year.