Traditional. Silly. Spooky. Unique.

It’s the one day out of the year when people can step out of their own life and into another.

Whether you want to be a character straight out of a Disney movie, a flapper from the 1920s or a present-day political figure, Halloween gives adults and children alike the chance to dress up in something they wouldn’t usually wear.

There’s everything from pirates to Big Bird and from priests to princesses. And, let’s not forget, the classic scary creatures.

With Halloween less than a week away, local retailers are sharing advice on popular costumes this year — for both children and adults.

Gina Thimmesch of Courtly Manor on Broadway Avenue said the No. 1 renters this year from her business are probably flapper and gangster outfits. Hippie and convict costumes are also popular, along with Renaissance outfits.

Thimmesch said Disney characters are making a comeback.

Courtly Manor rents and sells adult-sized costumes.

With about 400 costumes to offer, she said the store becomes a busy place during the last few weeks in October. Their customers are typically teenagers to middle-aged adults.

“A lot of people come in who need to dress up for work,” Thimmesch said. “And we have a lot of couples, groups who come in every year.”

The groups usually come in with a theme that they want to fit in with each costume.

There are wigs, masks and other accessories that can dress up a costume as well.

Thimmesch said this year, the store focused on getting unique accessories — things people can’t find in other retail stores. She had many requests for wigs and masks last year. Then of course, there’s jewelry, too.

She noted she tries hard to find costumes for every body size and for every type of woman. Some women want to be modest or completely covered up, while others may want a little more sass. There’s everything in between, too.

Courtly Manor’s prices range from $15 to $35 per rental, which Thimmesch said is marked down because of the recession.

Costumes that have been for rent a while are marked for sale. Prices on for-sale costumes can go for just as low, depending on the costume.

Christine Praska, freight manager at Albert Lea’s Shopko, said she’s seeing some definite trends in costumes in her store as well.

For young girls, hot costumes this year are Disney princesses or animals such as lady bugs or lions.

For boys its any kind of space-related costume, specifically costumes from “Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” now in its second season on Cartoon Network.

Praska said she’s seen a lot of short costumes go out for adult women, and for adult men, “the yuckier, the better.”

She said she saw a few witches go out the door on Saturday.

It all depends on what each person is looking for.

Courtly Manor is at 137 S. Broadway Ave. and can be reached at 373-2515. Shopko is at 2610 Bridge Ave. and can be reached at 373-6600.