Eastern State Penitentiary is the oldest penitentiary in the United States. The prison holds tours year-round, but the Terror Behind the Walls only comes near Halloween. They officially opened their haunted doors last week, which means only one thing: Halloween is around the corner. (Editor’s Note: The penitentiary also happens to sit a few blocks from the PM offices. I know what you are thinking: office trip to the haunted house. I am trying to make it happen.)
Halloween is the uncontested best holiday in the world (at least in this PM cubicle). The pumpkins, the costumes, the candy. I don’t think candy has ever tasted as good as on Halloween night when I was a kid. That pillowcase full of Snickers, M&M’s, Reese’s and Milky Ways (I traded Twizzlers and Smarties for all things chocolate) was the late-night dinner my childhood heart craved all year. Being able to play dress up for a night was only slightly better than the impending sugar rush.
The one thing that made Halloween not awesome: jackets. My mother always made me wear a coat on top of my costume, which quickly turned my Scarlett O’Hara costume into a parka and bell skirt. (I got into Gone with the Wind really young, apparently.)
Now as an adult, I appreciate the importance of a good cover-up, especially since it snowed last Halloween. But I’ve learned from my childhood jacket terrors and now know how to incorporate outerwear into my costumes: The Matrix characters, any superhero with a cape, T-birds/Pink Ladies and Carmen San Diego come to mind.
What will you be for Halloween this year? My suggestion: someone from Princess Bride. Yesterday was the 25th anniversary of the classic film’s release. Or you can dress up as your favorite logo and wear one of the jackets below.
Turn to page 92 in Promo Marketing‘s September’s issue for more jackets and outerwear.
Top-grain Choice
Nucom’s Wool & Leather Varsity Jacket features top-grain cowhide leather and 100 percent quilted nylon lining with polyester lining. Other features include two double welt slash pockets, as well as knit cuffs, waistband and collar. The jacket runs XS through 6XL and comes in black only.
Uniformed to Perform
Perfect for the uniformed worker, the Dearborn Jacket from Pella Products Inc. is made of 12 oz., plied yarn duck, is lined with 60/40 acrylic polyester Troy and comes in regular or tall sizes, as well as colors black or brown. The water-repellent, machine-washable coat has a brass front zipper, zippered right chest pocket, inside security pocket, two set-in lower front hand warmer pockets, a bi-swing pleated back, a corduroy collar, and adjustable sleeve cuffs and waist take-ups.
Teflon Tough
The Ladies’ Twill Jacket from Blue Generation is made from a 65/35 poly/cotton twill blend, is treated with Teflon fabric protector and is stain- and wrinkle-resistant. The jacket features two side slash pockets, a brass zipper and zipper pull, an elasticized back waistband, adjustable waist side tabs, and a contrast color inside the double back yoke, under the collar and inside the cuffs. 11 colors and sizes S through 4XL are available.
