Are you going as a witch for Halloween? Maybe you'll want to stir up a spell for a seductive black skirt instead of the long pointy nose when shopping for costumes.

While traditional costumes may be a popular choice this season, adults are opting for a more risqué twist.
Trends in women's costumes point toward the usual princess, nurse or vampire. For the men, it's Johnny Depp's Capt. Jack Sparrow from “Pirates of the Caribbean” or a Roman warrior from Frank Miller's “300.”

Annette Younger, co-owner of Gibson Costumes, said the milkmaid, French maid and even police officer costumes for women are hot items.

For adults, dressing up is an increasingly hot trend. More than one-third will be donning costumes this Halloween, according to the National Retail Federation.

The organization has found that the witch will be the favorite adult costume at 16.9 percent, followed by the pirate at 3.8 percent and the vampire at 3.1 percent. Other popular choices include the cat, princess, nurse and devil.

At Younger's shop, characters from recent films tend to sell. Spider-Man and Batman suits are flying off the shelves, but the two can't compare to Depp's sexy swashbuckler.

It's the same story at Cherry's Costumes and Galore. Owner Cherry Lee said Roman-themed warrior costumes have been hot Halloween threads because of “300” and movie pirates.

“As always, they want to be our heroes,” Lee said about men.

Lee and Younger focus on renting, not selling costumes. Combined, the two have many hand-sewn items and vintage finds, so duplicates are less likely.

Emily Messer | 210SA