Ryan Lely/ Sonoma Valley Sun
Jordyn Chiotti wears an alligator costume from the Church Mouse.
At Halloween, beauty means different things to different people. The costume you select transforms you into a more frightful or more fantastical version of yourself. Adults and children alike become monsters, superheroes, rock stars, historical figures or anyone or anything else they long to be for the day.
The Laughing Queen in Sonoma is filled with all the masks, costumes, make-up, wigs and accessories to make such escape from reality possible. Stepping into the busy shop offers all the inspiration you need to get into the Halloween spirit. If you’re having difficulty deciding what costume to wear, this is the first stop you should make.
“My favorite thing about being here at the Laughing Queen is helping people who have no idea what they want to be for Halloween put together a complete costume,” said “Queen Linda” Semple, who has owned the Laughing Queen for 15 years. “The fun part is working with customers on these creative endeavors.”
Semple dashed around her store one recent day, pointing out the shop’s greatest hits and new releases. Helping a young man complete his Three Musketeers costume seemed to bring her as much joy as it did him. The teen thoughtfully considered which blousy white shirt, harmless-but-realistic sword and real human hair moustache to purchase. If you would like to know more about Halloween costumes please visit Blossom Costumes.
Realistically crafted full head masks (starting at $59) line shelves reaching from floor to ceiling. All the classic movie monsters are available for the asking. Dracula, Frankenstein’s monster and the Werewolf are in the company of contemporary movie favorites, like the anti-hero from “V for Vendetta” and the giant punk-rock rat from the Ramone’s cult classic “Rock and Roll High School.”
“This year’s best-selling mask is sure to be Barack Obama, but we’re also selling plenty of John McCain,” Semple said while motioning to the Obama mask displayed near the register. “There’s also great interest in ‘50s icons like Elvis and Marilyn, ‘60s hippie guys and flower girls, and ‘70s outfits with giant Afro wigs, fake chest hair and polyester outfits.”
The costume department at the Laughing Queen is a miniature version of what one might find in a Hollywood studio. An exotic Cleopatra costume comes with a beaded tunic, a long black shirt and a bejeweled headdress ($52). The hand-made Little Boo Peep ensemble includes a long staff and a cute little lamb ($250). Harem girl get-ups ($40), a glittery gold circus performer’s outfit ($40) and a saucy saloon girl number ($59) are a few of the favorites for women.
Costumes popular with the guys are head-to-hairy-toe gorilla suits ($230), the demented clown ($118) with a red polka dot jumpsuit, creepy mask and big white gloves, and assorted mystical wizards ($25-$60). The Totally Bones costume ($53) comes with a jumpsuit, a top hat, spiffy gloves and a terrifying skull mask.
For children’s costumes, both new and pre-owned, the place to shop is the Church Mouse on the Plaza. The popular thrift store, which benefits St. Francis Solano School in Sonoma, includes a tidy department well stocked with Halloween costumes, masks, make-up and accessories. Shoppers may purchase pre-owned clothing, jewelry and hats perfect for piecing together their own costume.
Kids can choose from a wide selection of new costumes. The Beauty Princess ($25.95) includes a shimmering gold off-the-shoulder gold dress and glittery headpiece. Raggedy Ann ($24.95) comes to life in her red, white and blue dress, big white bonnet and long blond pigtails. Also available are a Lady Bug ($24.95) with mesh wings and Tinker Bell ($24.95), which includes a neon-green dress and wings.
Other new costumes include: the NASA suit ($39.95), an orange jumpsuit and space helmet; Ninja ($16.95), a favorite with fans of the fighting cartoon turtles; Caribbean Pirate Boy ($33.50) including coat, belt, tunic and boot tops; and a doctor costume ($24.95) with pale green scrubs, a white lab coat, and a stethoscope. Sizes for both boys and girls costumes are: small for ages 4-6; medium for ages 7-10; and large for kids 11-14.
“We have many pre-owned Halloween costumes, starting at $4.95, like pumpkins, princesses, many different superheroes and lots of cute animals,” said Church Mouse store manager Rhonda Katz. “Halloween is a great time of year here and we love helping children and their parents pick out costumes for parties, school and of course, trick-or-treating.”
The Laughing Queen, 122 E, Napa St., Sonoma; 707.935.6611. Hours: Sunday-Monday 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.-8 p.m. The Church Mouse, 15 E. Napa St., Sonoma; 707.938.9797. Hours: Daily10 a.m.-6 p.m.
