One of the most distinct fall traditions is dressing up in creative costumes to celebrate the one week a year when it's socially acceptable to don cat ears or a lab coat in public.
Kids dress up to trick-or-treat around neighborhoods, and those who are too old to go door-to-door often still choose to dress to impress at parties. Everyone wants to be noticed, and everyone deserves the right to dress as modestly or sexily as they like.
Costumes don't equal consent, nor do they give others the right to shame anyone for the person's decision to dress a certain way. Sexy costumes themselves are fine — but there are some costumes that just shouldn't be sexualized. Here are 10 costumes that deserve to be left alone when it comes to suggestive Halloween styles.
Bert and Ernie
Oh you're... sexy cannibal who ate Burt and Ernie??? pic.twitter.com/ObBCpn5gOC
— Hillary Brown (@hillaryrbrown) October 29, 2013
Many people grew up watching the PBS show
Most media is fair game for costumes, and a Bert and Ernie duo that matched their original outfits would be a cute pair costume for friends or couples. But sexualizing characters on a show intended for children is crossing the line into uncomfortable territory. There are plenty of characters on adult cartoon shows like "South Park" or "Bob's Burgers" that would be better inspiration for sexy costumes.
Girl Scout
New Roma 1408 3 Sexy Girl Scout Costume Set M/L Halloween https://t.co/Opgnt4O8hu pic.twitter.com/oEwdd38yHp
— highly recommended o (@fiscalgino4) October 23, 2015
The line between creative and creepy is immediately crossed whenever the sexy costume is related to children — and that includes not only media, but also activities and people that are associated with adolescence. No one should sexualize a Girl Scout. Even if the person wearing the costume is over age 18, the implication that they're portraying a young girl with an intentionally promiscuous outfit is inappropriate.
George Washington
In today's installment of #CostumesThatShouldNeverHaveBeenMade, we present to you Sexy George Washington. #Halloween pic.twitter.com/YTHAj5gIGn
— Heritage Costumes (@premiercostumes) October 2, 2013
Some historical figures, like Marilyn Monroe or James Dean, lend themselves fairly well to sexy costumes. Other costume ideas, such as the Founding Fathers, are best left to war re-enactment enthusiasts who won't trade George Washington's trousers for booty shorts. There's nothing ethically wrong with dressing as a sexy version of someone like
From the unethical douchebags creators of “Sexy ebola nurse costume” comes “Sexy ISIS member”!
Humankind, just stop. pic.twitter.com/rSiDvXWORC
— Ariana Escobar (@arianaescobar) October 28, 2014
American citizens have the constitutional right to dress however they want any time of the year. Yes, that includes the right to dress up
Plug and Outlet
#Plug and Socket Costume Halloween Fancy Dress Couples Electrical Outlet 2 Pieces: $35.99… http://t.co/XzWLPj5ANF pic.twitter.com/HqiwP5ei67
— Amazing Deals USA™ (@AmazingDealUSA) September 3, 2015
Just a quick Google search reveals hundreds of different costumes that rely on sexual puns or gags to work. While they're less offensive than some of the other sexualized outfits, do you really want to make a parent explain to their child why the couple walking past was dressed as a plug and outlet? Or force teenagers to explain to their parents or grandparents what "Netflix and Chill" means?
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Combine kids shows, humanoid animals and blatant sexualization into one costume and the result is something that just doesn't need to exist. A "Ninja Turtles" group is great for eight-year-old boys with toy weapons and color-coordinated masks, but for adults, there are much better options.
Mike Wazowski
The worst movie inspired Halloween costumes... with Sexy Monsters Inc http://t.co/l3JiwD7QJw via via @clevvermovies pic.twitter.com/0NnBJ1AL3t
— Dailymotion (@DailymotionUSA) October 18, 2013
Morally, there's nothing wrong with altering the character design of an animated monster from the Pixar classic "Monsters Inc." But it just seems so contrary to Mike's character, and it's weird to sexualize a decidedly unsexy spherical green one-eyed monster.
Bacon
If you want to dress sexy, dress sexy. If you want to dress as food, dress as food. But sexy food is weird. It gives new meaning to the phrase "loving bacon" and will make any omnivore uncomfortable.
Santa Claus
Christmas festivities come into popular culture as soon as the clock strikes midnight on Nov. 1. Why not enjoy the last night of the year before holiday music plays on every radio station and the mall brings Saint Nick to the masses?
Related Links:
Halloween costumes: Ditch 'sexy' expectations, stay comfortable
Cultural appropriation done by many, understood by few
Reach the reporter at skylar.mason@asu.edu or follow @skylarmason42 on Twitter.
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