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Every year you pledge to be something creative and different.

Every year you end up trolling costume shop aisles desperate for a costume — any costume — in your size.

Sexy cop? Been done.

Devil? Too obvious.

Michael Myers? Sigh.

Despite the best of intentions, life always spoils your plans for Halloween and you end up going as the same old thing.

Like it or not, those costume party invites keep rolling in and you've gotta show up in something other than a toga made of guest bedroom sheets.

Tap the wealth of pop culture for the perfect, of-the-moment get-up. Here are a few suggestions to get started.

Miss Teen South Carolina

Here's betting this will be the most popular costume in The Iraqs this year. Accessorize your pageant gown, sash and tiara with a globe or atlas to help all those U.S. Americans with their geography skills.

Newly engaged Jenna Bush

The more visible of the First Twins is just as relaxed in a formal gown as she is in jeans and a sweater. Raise your glass to her new adult persona by slipping on a replica of her new bling and carry a copy of her first book, "Ana's Story." A blonde wig is crucial, so is a take-no-bull attitude. That's how Texas girls do it.

LOLcat

Show off your Internet hipster status by posing as a LOLcat, the coolest kitties on the Web. Dress in a solid color and add a cat mask or ears, maybe a little tail and some kitten gloves. Make your own sign inspired by the felines at http://icanhascheezburger.com to complete the look.

Phil Spector

All you really need is the 'fro and a suit. Add a record spray-painted gold and blast a recording of the famed producer/murder suspect's big hit "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'." Uhh, yeah.

Michael Vick

A football uniform. Cleats. A PETA course completion certificate in one hand, an Atlanta Falcons jersey-wearing pitbull in the other. Be careful with this costume. Wear it to the wrong party and you could be very unpopular.

Britney Spears

You could do so much with this — carry an umbrella and shave your head, wear the 2007 VMA outfit and carry a bag of Cheetos (it's mean, we know). Or wear a tight dress, heavy eye make-up, a blonde wig and carry around some underwear. We're rating this costume for mature audiences only.

Paris Hilton

Jazz up those prison stripes with oversized sunglasses, a pet ferret, a copy of her CD and a can of Red Bull for late-night parties. Or go as the new Paris and doll yourself up in glam gear for her upcoming humanitarian trip to Rwanda.

Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus

Embrace your inner pop star with a tribute to the latest tween queen. Throw a glitzy jacket over a shirt and jeans, don a floppy blonde wig, then pull it off every 15 minutes to reveal the "regular teenager" underneath. Round the outfit out with a wireless mic and sing "Best of Both Worlds." Give out tickets to her concert and you're sure to win any costume contest.

Pam and Jim from "The Office"

This is a simple couples costume. Wear rumpled office clothes, exchange longing looks and carry a stapler encased in Jell-O. Bonus points if you convince a friend to play cameraman so you can speak to the TV audience all night long.

Contact Katie Reetz at 691-5091 or kreetz@news-record.com