We be pirates!

Halloween brings out the swashbuckling spirit in both kids and adults

ARGGHHHHH, ahoy, avast and yo-ho! Shiver those timbers, secure the eye patch and find a parrot willing to sit on your shoulder.

Expect lots of pirate gibberish and every visual pirate cliché this Halloween season. The release of "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" last summer has fueled significant interest in pirate costumes, according to Steve Young, manager of Party City.

"Johnny Depp made them really popular," Young said. Such is the suggestive power of the movies. "Last year, there were Darth Vaders everywhere."

Also among top sellers are Power Rangers, SuperGirl and generic princesses.

Putting together your pirate ensemble? Some ideas:

» The Waikele Party City store is not lacking in the pirate accessories department. A 4-foot display offers a range of items from eye patches for $1.79 to a long vest at $29.99. Packaged costumes are also available for adults and children, ranging from $11.99 to $45.99.

"Adults tend to go for the separate pieces so they can create their own look," said Young.

» Those looking to get creative and save a few bucks in the process head over to Savers. Skimp on the clothing and splurge on the sword.

New and used costumes are available. Or, put together your own creation of affordable used shirts, pants, scarves, etc. Add a pirate hat for a few more dollars and an eye patch for 98 cents. Pirate accessories include swords, bandannas, pirate wigs, hooks and even rubber masks.

» If you'd prefer to be dressed by an expert costume mistress, visit Diamond Head Theatre's costume shop. Costume director Karen Wolfe transforms folks into an array of characters including pirates, flappers, prize fighters, Indian braves and squaws, fairy godmothers, Keystone Kops or even pregnant nuns.

On a recent visit to DHT, Jackie and Craig Nedlick had decided to try out some pirate apparel. After a small courthouse wedding last year, they'd promised friends and family a larger celebration for their first anniversary, which is just a few days before Halloween. "Halloween is my favorite holiday, so we decided to combine both," said Jackie.

"Pirates and Roman soldiers are always popular with the guys," said Wolfe. "The girls normally try on belly dancer costumes but don't end up renting them. In the end they go with the wenches."