Top costume searches include 'Adult Care Bear'

Not only is this Super Mario costume homemade and hilarious, the guy sure can boogie.

(Credit: Caroline McCarthy/CNET)

Really, America? Can we talk?

You see, I received this press release from Experian Hitwise in my in-box about the most-searched-for Halloween costumes in the U.S., based on searches in the month ending October 24 that ended in "costume." And the ranking was led by "Michael Jackson costume" and "Balloon Boy costume." OK, so those are timely, albeit a little bit more than unimaginative.

But it doesn't stop there. Following that were "Tinkerbell," "Catwoman," and "Poison Ivy," indicating that most costume searches are either on behalf of women or men who really want to make a fool of themselves. Among the top costume searches beginning with the word "sexy" were "sexy sailor costume," "sexy nurse costume," "sexy witch costume," and "sexy Queen of Hearts costume." (What would Lewis Carroll think?) And high-ranking costume searches beginning with "adult" include "adult cat costume," "adult Snow White costume," and "adult Care Bear costume."

I don't care what you dress up as for Halloween. Have fun with it. But just think about it. Adult Care Bear costume. Really. It's a costume that's probably itchy and uncomfortable, unflattering, and will embarrass the heck out of your kids if you have any. Not to mention that there's no obvious relevance to current events or pop culture that would negate the creepiness factor, considering the last time I checked the Care Bears have been around since 1981. Whatever happened to cowboys and pirates and disgraced politicians? Hitwise stats have officially weirded me out.

More depressing figures: Compared with the same time period last year, Hitwise found a 97 percent jump in searches for "pet costumes" this year. Those poor dogs.

[PandaSage1221]

One year shortly after my parents got married, my dad went to buy a costume at the last minute. They were pretty picked over, so he bought a cheap children's smurf costume, and zipped it up as best he could, and basically went as an exploding Smurf. I'm told it was hilarious.

[joadax]

Are you sure this isn't a rule 34 issue; like an "adult" adult care bare costume??? Those kids that grew up with the care bares are now themselves young to no so young adults, I'm just saying.....

[Lerianis3]

Good point there. It is most likely a Rule 34 issue, definitely.

[roncaplinger]

"no obvious relevance to current events or pop culture"? Really? Have you never seen Avenue Q? The Bad Idea Bears ("Why by a six pack when a case costs less? It'll SAVE you money!") are, from the audience's physical distance, just Care Bears.

[caroline.mccarthy]

you do have a point here: an evil Care Bear could be really funny.

[joerickx]

I don't know what a care bear is but I also don't know why an adult dressed as one would be any more or less "creepy" than any other adult in a kiddie costume. I think your creepiness level need some adjustment.

[Mr_fleabite]

What should really creep you out is seeing someone in the Adult Care Bear costume giving you the adult Care Bear Stare.

[Eddie-c]

So where's the pic then?? ;) The headline mentions it so the least you could do is show it. :P

[eastmanweb]

I approve this message.

[Thranx]

"Hitwise found a 97 percent jump in searches for "pet costumes" this year."

Yea, poor animals. I'm not like animal cruitly crusader but seriously... animals shouldn't wear clothes! THAT'S WHY THEY HAVE FUR!!!!

Tho, pictures of REALLY pissed off cats wearing hats and sweaters are kinda funny. That "I will kill you" look is priceless.

[JazGalaxy]

As Lewis Carrol was a noted pervert... I think the sexy queen of hearts costume would have suited him just fine...

[perfectblue97]

What have adult Care Bear costumes got to do with Halloween? I wear mine all year round.

First why are you saying men will make fools of themselves if they dress up as "Tinkerbell," "Catwoman," and "Poison Ivy," I know some men that can pull it off better then woman.

As for the Adult Care Bears. They are great costumes. They actually don't itch and aren't uncomfortable. They are a hit at parties and people always start up conversations about their childhoods and how they use to watch the Care Bears every Saturday. Which turns in to a great memory lane of all the cartoons that we grew up on.

I am just saying, don't be bashing the costume until you have tried it out.

[chaack66]

im not into the pet costumes, but my roomate bought a great one for his dog. It's a cowboy on a saddel that straps onto his back, its only 2 straps so not really noticable to the dog. It's hilarious because as the dog prances around the back yard the cowboy looks like hes holding on for dear life. Just pointing out that some are really funny.

[william.e.ward]

Is someone saying this costume is creepy?

http://www.costumeexpress.com/Pink-Cuddly-Bear-Adult-Costume/38465/ProductDetail.aspx

I'm sorry, I think that kind of costume qualifies as "Sexy", not "Creepy" adult costumes

[jrtoastyman]

As a person that actually searched extensively for a Care Bear costume designed for adults, I think that the thing that makes it kinda funny to see as a search term is the same thing that makes it a great costume idea. It's definitely not current, but it's not so far in the past that it's completely forgotten, either. Most of the people in my age range knew the Care Bears from when they were kids, so having a 6'5", 225 pound Care Bear walk into the room would get a great reaction, I suspect.

[bobattheedge]

Obviously this is a bear that takes care of older adults. Therefore the costume should include a box of Depends and a Foley Catheter at a minimum. Other items, such as a walker, cane, etc could be included in the outfit.

[Dust_Puppy]

I guess I'm the only one that thought the picture on the belly would be blurred out on network television? :)

I was surprised when my wife and I were looking for costumes last year. Everything was really poorly made, and everything in my wife's size (extra petite) was marked as "Teen" ---- and all were listed as "sexy" . . . um, okay.

I picked up a large "monk robe" in a dark green from museum replicas last year so I could have something re-usable for taking my son out and about in the neighborhood.

It's that time of year . . . "Trick-or-Treat-or-Mommy_says_candy_is_junk" . . . somehow it doesn't have the same ring to it as when I was a kid :D

Guess people saved their money this year on real-estate and that "lost" consumer confidence -> what a boon for the pet-costume industry.

[Brent212]

"Timely" costumes are way more imaginative than premade ones you buy at a store.