Hot Halloween costumes for 2007
By Sheyna Steiner • Bankrate.com

Swashbucklers and sirens rule the day in the Halloween costume world this year -- at least for adults. Little girls prefer princesses to temptresses and boys tend to like the same things as their adult counterparts -- scary monsters, pirates or superheroes.

Real-life horrors such as credit card bills, declining home values, taxes and insufficient retirement savings rarely appear in Halloween festivities. IRS auditors don't even register on the National Retail Federation's list of the top 21 adult costumes for 2007, compiled from a survey of 8,877 consumers.

According to the same survey, increasing frights in the real estate market won't be putting a crimp on Halloween celebrations this year. Consumers plan to spend more money celebrating the spookiest day of the year than they did in 2006, with the average amount being spent estimated at $64.82, compared to $59.06 last year.

Costumes account for a big chunk of the funds, with the average person planning to spend about $23 on holiday attire. For the truly devoted, and deep-pocketed, high-end costumes, such as the Darth Vader Supreme Edition ($788.99) at Halloweenmart in Las Vegas, offer a unique opportunity for playing dress-up.

"Usually it's a guy who comes in at the last minute and wants to have the best costume at a party that buys these," says Heather Siegel, vice president and head buyer at Halloweenmart.

They want to show off, and it definitely fulfills a fantasy, she says.

What's hot for 2007

Here's what retailers from New York to Los Angeles and the National Retail Federation's 2007 Halloween Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey predict will be big this year. Most popular costumes this year:   For women Either taking to the high seas or getting ready to party all night, women get decked out in racy pirate gear.   For men For plundering suburban streets and pillaging buffet tables at Halloween parties, men love to be pirates, too.   For kids Girls want to be princesses while boys dream of being Optimus Prime -- or a pirate!   For pets Fifi and Fido get dressed up like never before.

Costumes for women
Across the country, retailers agreed that women enjoy getting a little risqué on the last night in October.

"No. 1 for ladies are the sexy costumes," says Steve Elowitz, manager of Hollywood Toys & Costumes in Los Angeles.

Everything from wanton witch to naughty nurse outfits can be found in costume shops across the country and on the Internet.