HALLOWEEN CHIC NO SINGLE HOT LOOK THIS YEAR.

Byline: Kathleen Sweeney Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - Brenden Stubblefield had less than two hours Sunday morning to decide what to wear to the costume party.

At first, the 9-year-old thought about dressing as a soul singer for the party and Halloween holiday only two days away, but the big, black, curly wig didn't quite work.

Maybe Elvis, his mother, Gilda, suggested while browsing at the Chorus Line Dancewear & Costumes shop, 23300 Cinema Drive. No, not that either. A Hawaiian guy? Nah.

What could win him the costume contest again this year after last year's reign as cutest girl dressed in a poodle shirt?

The National Costumers Association said some of the hottest Halloween costumes around the country this year involve the 1960s and 1970s, the movies ``Wizard of Oz'' and ``Scream,'' TV's Power Puff girls, and characters Harry Potter and Batman.

But Santa Clarita costume store owners and employees said there isn't just one hot costume in the valley this year.

``It's generic Halloween,'' said Reena Newhall, Chorus Line costume coordinator.

There have been costume requests for Dorothy, Pokemon, '50s, '60s, '70s and the military, Newhall said. Those, and anything with wings.

More so than other years, people are paying attention to details and wearing fake scars, broken bones and makeup, she said.

Debra Morth, owner of The Grabag, 19427 Soledad Canyon Road, said props like flying witches, fog machines, spider webs and skeletons are hot.

What doesn't seem to be a popular costume this year compared to other election years are political and presidential masks, Morth said. While the few she ordered have been sold, no one else is asking.

Whether its aliens, witches, devils or Spider-Man, there's plenty of last-minute costumes at both shops before Tuesday's holiday.

Matt Sterkel, 10, and his mom, Sally, were one of hundreds who picked out costumes this weekend at The Grabag. He went for something less expensive and simple, but still scary: a vampire.

``It's the only thing he hasn't been yet,'' said his mother, Sally Sterkel.

It wasn't that simple for Brenden. The rest of his family already had their costumes picked out. His mom planned to dress as an Asian woman, his brother as Daniel Boone and sister as Little Bo Peep.

Finally, after a half-hour of rattling off ideas and the clock ticking faster toward 1 p.m., Gilda Stubblefield found the perfect costume, an Arabian sheik.

Brenden willingly modeled the hood and plastic mustache after his mother convinced him to put it on. He gave an approving nod after looking in the mirror and turned toward his mother.

``Do you think I can wear this to church?'' he joked.

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Brenden Stubblefield, with mom Gilda, anguished over the right costume before deciding to go as an Arab sheik.

(2 -- color) Last-minute costume shoppers search for the winning look at The Grabag.

Shaun Dyer/Special to the Daily News