NATALIE SACKET
Columnist
A couple of weeks ago I was searching for ideas for a Halloween costume. I wanted something unique, something original, and so of course I turned to the Internet for suggestions.
Upon entering “Halloween costume for female” into the search bar, I was assaulted with a barrage of scantily clad pumpkins, pirates, angels and nurses. Slogans such as “sexy zombie” and “sexy colonial pirate” flashed across the screen. Regardless of the theme, my computer was covered with bare midriffs and long legs encased in fishnet stockings. I looked further, now on a mission to find the strangest “sexy” costume of them all. There was “sexy sushi” and “naughty Nemo.” I’m sorry, but Japanese food and clown fish just aren’t meant to be sexualized. Know what else should never be sexualized? Nuns. Nuns are literally supposed to be on the opposite end of the spectrum from “sexy.” And yet, as I browsed through a sea of naughty nurses and sassy sasquatches, I saw several nuns who got off on the wrong path and adjusted their habits. Why does a woman’s costume have to be sexy?
Perhaps I have a different background in Halloween costumes than others. Halloween wasn’t a grand event in our home as I was growing up. Each year I slapped together a last-minute farmer or scarecrow. One year I was original and threw a sheet over my head as a veil to be a bride, but everyone thought I was a ghost. It’s not that I dislike dressing up. I adore it. Hello, I’m a theater kid. In past years I’ve stubbornly gone against the flow and dressed as strong, independent women, including Lois Lane, Rosie the Riveter and Marie Curie.
A young lady explained the desire to dress sexy as such: “It’s the one night of the year that you can dress however you want and no one can judge you for it.”
Well if I can pretend to be anyone I want, why on earth wouldn’t I want to be a strong, feministic, graceful woman who has benefitted culture and society?
Women are pressured to be sexy, fit, and attractive. We are taught by society that we should be valued by the shape of the face, the curve of our hips and the mere amount of inches around the waist.
Why not instead strive to be desired because of intelligence, or work ethic, or the way you effortlessly deliver the punchline to a joke, or your passion to help others?
Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not critical of those who may choose to show more skin on Halloween. I simply would like to encourage one to evaluate their motivations in doing so. Go trick or treat, not trick and streak. Have fun getting goodies, and not showing off too much of your own.