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9 sexy Halloween costume don'ts, from Bert and Ernie to Bacon

(Bay screenshot)
(Bay screenshot)

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

Many people grew up watching the PBS show "Sesame Street," and it carries a lot of childhood nostalgia as one of the defining pieces of media for generations of children. Some people take those fond memories of learning the alphabet and number system into a much different, less innocent direction.

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 

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 

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 Washington, but it's safe to say that if he were alive today, he'd prefer his 21st century reputation be limited to history books and the $1 bill.

ISIS Member

American citizens have the constitutional right to dress however they want any time of the year. Yes, that includes the right to dress up as a member of ISIS. But there's a difference between what we have the right to do and what it is right to do. Terrorism isn't a party joke, especially when so many people have lost their homes and/or lives as a result. Even a non-sexy ISIS costume is offensive, but when they're sexualized, they're even worse. Don't be that guy or girl at the party that makes everyone else uncomfortable.

Plug and Outlet

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

#rihanna @badgalriri did that! #sexyninjaTurtle I ❤️ her

A photo posted by Limited Edition (@kesia_minor) on

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

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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