Today’s fancy dress theme is Batman. Yesterday it was cats and today it’s bats, in honour of the fact that ‘Die Fledermaus’ (‘The Bat’)  by Johann Strauss II, was first performed in Vienna 1874. A costumed ball ( so why not have a Masquerade ball today as well?) is at the centre of the operetta’s story, which involves someone seeking to revenge himself for being left drunk and dressed as a bat on a previous occasion. It happens. Obviously nowadays bat costumes are associated with Batman, who has gone through a fair few incarnations – almost as many as his major female adversary Catwoman, whom we mentioned yesterday.

We have noted in the past that there seems a shortage of female action heroes, although the Batman franchise has made an effort with Batgirl, whose origins seem to vary. One minute she is Commissioner Gordon’s daughter, the next she is related to Albert, Bruce Wayne’s butler. There was even a series (Birds of Prey, not seen ‘mainstream’ in the UK) which had a Batgirl character as the love-child of Batman and Catwoman!

Beyond that though, and the fact that Batman’s doing his bit for equality by having Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn as additional feminine foes, costume manufacturers seem to be running out of ideas. Take a look at our range of Batman costumes.

If the theme ‘Batman’ is too limiting, expand it out to include all superheroes. Take a look at our range of superhero costumes for all the family.

The latest concept is to produce female versions of established heroes and anti-heroes such as the Ghostbusters, Leatherface (from Texas Chainsaw Massacre, complete with chainsaw handbag!) and Edward (Edie?) Scissorhands, and needless to say they are in the short and skimpy style. The question arises, ‘Is this what you, the costume-buying/hiring public want?’