[UPDATE: Foolishly left out the SLurl!] It's not just big corporations and chain companies that decide to hang their shingles in SL; one of the nice things about SL is it's still a fairly even playing field. Megacorps and mom-and-pops compete equally. So it is with Annie's Costumes, an online Halloween costume store created with the assistance of Ten Golden Rules and LeftBank Studios.

Originally opened in RL in 1989, they created a web presence in 1996, and were so successful with their online presence that they shifted the business to be entirely on the 'Net in 2003. "Going virtual just seemed like the next step for our costume shop," states Shari McConahay, Marketing Director for Annie's Costumes, "We worked closely with Ten Golden Rules and LeftBank Studios to design a Second Life costume and clothing line that would reflect the true spirit of Halloween. All the classic Halloween costumes are represented from vampires to witches, from pirates to princesses."

As the gallery shows, these are well-done avatars and clothing, on a par with any of the more popular designers in SL. The costumes range anywhere from 450L (the 'Kissing Booth'), to 2000L (the 'Wise Old Wizard'). The costumes are no mod/no copy/transfer, and the prims are modifiable. While you're there, don't forget to visit the Halloween Hall of Fame!

And hey, is it just me, or does the male Vampire look like Jack White?

(Thanks, Michael!)

If you missed last week's sampling of menswear and fashions, you can find it here.

Both of the stores we looked at this week came to us highly recommended by the discerning readers of SLI. We're still looking for places to review, so if you have a favorite men's store which has clothing, accessories, shoes, skins, hair, gadgets, or anything else you can think of, let us know. If our test audience buys something, we'll write it up the store here.