People hoping to make an impression with their Halloween fancy dress this year have been urged not to leave it too late.
According to US web publication the Huffington Post, those who plan their costume well in advance will increase their chances of avoiding a "terrible" outfit and turning heads at the party.
The website offered several fancy dress ideas for its readers, based on celebrity figures from the "eventful" year so far rather than traditional Halloween costumes.
Its suggestions included shamed golfer Tiger Woods, beleaguered BP chief executive Tony Hayward and Glee's tracksuited cheerleader coach Sue Sylvester.
Fright fans opting for more conventional Halloween fare this year may like to consider wearing a Dead Fisherman, Leatherface, Devil Lord or Beetlejuice fancy dress outfit.
The Huliq website recently predicted costumes based on Lady Gaga and the Twilight vampire films will be popular among partygoers at the end of next month.