Halloween costume trends reveal orange prison jumpsuits dominate in Oslo

This year, one of the most popular Halloween costumes for men appears to be an orange prison jumpsuit, according to Jan Kingell, the manager of the Oslo costume store, Festmagasinet Standard. While the costume is somewhat mundane, Kingell notes it’s more enjoyable when people enhance their outfits with makeup and creativity.

The store is bustling with customers eager to find the perfect Halloween attire as the spooky holiday approaches. However, Kingell admits that the rise in online shopping has impacted in-store sales. He says, “There is increasingly more online shopping; new competitors have entered the market, and e-commerce is taking a larger share of retail.”

The Norwegian Consumer Council has raised concerns regarding online retailers, particularly Temu, warning about the vast array of inexpensive products that may not meet safety standards. Inger Lise Blyverket, the Council’s director, explains that many items sold online could be illegal in Norway due to safety issues and hazardous chemicals.

Temu, which launched in Norway in August 2023, emphasizes product quality and consumer safety. A communication advisor from Temu, Michael Falk, mentions their strict safety measures for sellers, including required documentation and proactive monitoring.

Returning to Standard, Kingell identifies nuns’ costumes as the most popular choice among women this year. He acknowledges the pressure from low-priced competitors like Temu, stating that his suppliers cannot produce at such low costs, which makes it challenging to compete on price.

Amidst the Halloween festivities, art student Danas Rakauskas prefers to shop at local thrift stores, echoing concerns about the safety of products from cheaper online retailers. Many students at OsloMet are aware of the risks associated with such platforms, reinforcing the Consumer Council’s mission to educate Norwegian consumers about those dangers.