Sorry for being that lenghty, but this may be of interest. 

    To me, the "Clovis" goes well with kids, but let´s be honest, to groups of grown ups I wouldn´t recommend.

    In certain violent neighbourhoods, it is risky to have people in costumes in wich they can hidden things and at the same time turning difficult (if not impossible, many times) their identifying.

    From past experience we learn that people in costumes have mugged, fighted each others etc.  In Sao Paulo a guy in Santa Claus costumes even killed his forme wife!

   If you don´t believe me, read on the comments in the site. 

   Tough, in streets and neighbourhoods well patrolled by the police, I would deem acceptable.

http://medob.blogspot.com/2010/02/clovis-o-pesadelo-do-carnaval-bate.html

   Now see the colourfuness of several kinds of "Clovises".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hai-cuxJFPo