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Skimpy Clothing Selling Well on São Paulo's Rua 25 de Março Ahead of Carnival

02/04/2016 - 09h25

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FROM SÃO PAULO

Nobody wants the whole Chaves costume - the one with the hat, shirt, suspenders and trousers. Nor the pirate, with a black shirt and trousers. Super Mario, only if it comes with the kepi.

In the shops in the area of the Rua 25 de Março, in São Paulo, Brazil's biggest center of cheap goods, the city's carnival revelers are looking for light-hearted costumes - and if possible, skimpy clothing.

Dário Oliveira/Folhapress
 Rua 25 de Março, in São Paulo, Brazil's biggest center of cheap goods
Rua 25 de Março, in São Paulo, Brazil's biggest center of cheap goods

"People used to look for full costumes," recalls Pierre Sfein, 59, owner of the shop Festa & Fantasia. "Now they just want a hat or an accessory."

The so-called "kit" is selling like hot cakes. A cheaper option, it consists of just two items: a hat and a T-shirt, or a beret and a pair of shorts.

Managers and employees in the shops suggest that with the increase in the number of groups parading in São Paulo, with parades that can last for hours, people are looking for cooler costumes. Last weekend, temperatures exceeded 30°C.

"I tried an angel costume, but I realized that I wasn't going to be able to wear that in the heat. It was really hot," says the pharmacist Cyntia Oliveira, 26. With a friend, she had a better idea.

They bought crowns, fake eyelashes and hats. Together, they are going as Miss Colombia and Miss Philippines - poking fun at the last Miss Universe contest, when the prize was mistakenly awarded to Miss Colombia, only to be taken from her and presented to Miss Philippines just seconds later.

"We're going to fight for the crown at the parade," says Cyntia.

Translated by TOM GATEHOUSE
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