Halloween is fast approaching—the time of year when introverts come out of their shells, extroverts can become downright obnoxious, and costume geeks go insane. It’s our annual chance to be whoever we want, and to step into a completely different outfit, with a completely different character. Here are a few things to consider when making this tough decision.  

For starters, are you dressing for practicality or for style? Don’t forget, you still have to get from your place to the venue without freezing. While dressing for warmth was a bigger concern during the bygone days of marathon trick-or-treating, frostbite can be a concern by the end of October in Montreal. Even if your costume isn’t going to protect you from the cold, at least make sure you can fit a jacket over it. That means going as a bunch of grapes (by stapling balloons all over yourself), or a laundry basket (by cutting a hole in the bottom of a laundry basket and wearing it around your waist), is probably not the best idea.

While the slutty nurse costume may sound like a good idea at the time, real nurses wear scrubs, with pockets, because they have to carry around cell phones and wallets just like the rest of us. Guys usually have less of a problem with this than girls do, but you will have issues if you want to go as superman or one of the Vancouver green men. Just make sure you know where you’re going to keep your essentials, such as phone, keys, ID, and money. Your accessories can have some awesome perks. For example, if you’re going as a trophy wife, you’re going to need an obnoxiously large shoulder bag, which serves the triple purpose of adding to the believability of your costume, providing a place to keep your essentials, and, in case of emergency, being used to ward off unwanted advances.

You can impersonate a celebrity, but make sure it’s not in poor taste. Steve Irwin with a stingray on his chest is simply not funny. And remember that if the celebrity you impersonate has a catch phrase or any defining mannerisms, you will most likely be called upon time after time to repeat it. For hipsters, the more obscure the reference, the better. If you have to explain it over and over, that means it’s just too brilliant for everyone else to get.

If you don’t have any costume ideas, Montreal boasts some fantastic costume hunting grounds, like Value Village on Jean Talon and Eva B’s on St. Laurent. Or there’s Joseph Ponton Costumes in Old Montreal, which is one of Montreal’s oldest, most comprehensive costume shops, if you’re willing shell out a lot of cash. Places like Giggles (no rentals) and Chapeaux de la Chaudière (rentals from $20-$65, lessening each consecutive day you rent), are more affordable.