Ah, Halloween! The one day a year it’s socially acceptable to leave the house dripping with (fake) blood or dressed up in your nerdiest Star Trek costume without the concern of being judged. It’s also the time of year when any costume goes if it has the word “sexy” in front of it — wondering what a “sexy gnome” outfit looks like? It’s currently in stock on partycity.com!
These sexy costumes are available on websites like Party City range from “luscious leopards” to “bustin’ out prisoners.” These titles may sound ridiculous, yet every year hundreds of women are drawn to buy them. And it’s doubtful they choose what fishnets to buy based on which ones will provide the most warmth against the chilly October air, so what’s the draw?
Halloween is the time of year where anything goes, so if there’s any time to break out the fishnets, it would be now. This is a time to let loose and express yourself in whatever way you want because it’s socially acceptable to be outlandish for this one day a year. Halloween costumes let people express themselves however wittily, gruesomely, or seductively as they want. Right?
Yet, year after year, the sexy costume debate continues. Are they empowering or degrading? There has always been a stigma about openly expressing sexuality, and in particular, female sexuality.
Self-proclaimed feminist and sophomore Sarah Bolden weighs in on the debate. “I think the industry is making ‘sexy’ costumes degrading by not presenting women with enough (if any) non-sexy alternatives,” she explains.
And she has a point. Perusing through any costume aisle at Target or through any online website, nearly every adult women’s costumes all have similar components: fishnets, miniskirts, plunging neckline, and corseted bodices. Costumes that cover more skin are few and far between, and the ones that are available are surprisingly more expensive.
This is an unsettling paradox. Each year, women are given a hard time for opting to reveal a little more skin than usual and yet it seems like the industry is giving them very little room for other costumes.
“That being said, however,” Sarah continues, “I think it is possible for women to reclaim any sexy costume by deliberately wearing it as something empowering.” And these costumes can be just that.
However, no one is being forced into buying “sexy” costumes. Some alternatives? Make your own! Be as original, witty, and creative as you want. Don on a red bandana and a flannel shirt to be the iconic Rosie the Riveter, or draw inspiration from any outrageous Lady Gaga outfit as homage to pop culture. The opportunities are endless.
Don’t be afraid to make a statement with a create-your-own costume, but also don’t be afraid to show off a little skin this Halloween with a premade costume. The sexy costume debate will always continue, regardless of what people wear.
Remember that while costumes are always fun, it’s important not to forget the true, sugar-filled intent of the holiday: to gorge yourself on as much chocolate as you can get your hands on. So this Halloween, we urge all of you to do just that, in whatever costume you choose to wear.