Every Halloween there is one costume you spot six times in one night. Here is this year's shortlist, so you can join in or steer well clear.
Kids first, because they have already decided. Grown-ups after, because you have until the 31st to pretend you have not.
The kids have already decided
If you live with anyone under twelve, you have heard the soundtrack. Huntrix it is.
Rumi, Mira and Zoey in kid sizes, wigs and all. Pick a character, drag two friends into the other two, and the school party has its headline act.
¥58.74
The cropped yellow jacket with the patches that half the playground wants. Sturdier than the cheap cuts, so it survives October and a few concerts after.
¥112.80
Wednesday, still going
Three seasons in and the black dress and braids show no sign of leaving.
The striped school uniform, the braided wig, and a disembodied hand to prop on the desk. Comes together as a kit, which saves hunting for the hand.
¥44.25
Collared, ruffled, polka dot or the pinstripe suit for a Gomez. One page covers most of the family, and black dresses get worn again, which is the whole trick.
¥58.05
Straight out of the cinema
This year's films did the costume design for you.
Red vest, flame trousers, the hair buns are your problem. The biggest film in China does the explaining for you, no one will ask who you are.
¥76.50
Judy's police blues and Nick's green shirt, with the bunny ears and fox tails included. A ready-made sibling pair or a couple's costume nobody will argue with.
¥87.50
Elphaba's long black dress or Glinda's pink bubble gown. Go as a pair and you have the entire film covered for under two hundred kuai between you.
¥88.32
Beige dress, striped sleeves, big bow, blonde wig. Creepy in the exact way kids find hilarious, and the dress itself is quite sweet when the wig comes off.
¥55.75
Avengers Doomsday is out in December, so the green cloak and metal mask are about to be everywhere. Get there first and spend the film feeling smug.
¥178.64
Everyone wants to be Wukong. Nobody expects Zhu Bajie. Twenty seven kuai for the costume nobody else at the party thought of, and the mask does the acting.
¥27.00
For the gamers
Recognisable from across the room, no explanation required.
Blocky head included, which is the only bit that matters. The Creeper is the one that gets the laugh, right up until someone hisses behind you.
¥101.80
The purple cat with the crescent moon. Every ten year old knows exactly who this is, every parent will need it explained, and that gap is the fun.
¥65.68
**Or go your own way** Those are the costumes you will see everywhere. Thousands more on Baopals if you would rather be the one nobody can name. [Browse All Costumes](https://www.baopals.com/search?q=costume&smartSearch=true)