Since Halloween is around the corner, various ladyblogs have been doing posts about the inevitable hoards of women wearing "stripper shoes," fishnets, bunny ears and/or lingerie and claiming the outfits are costumes. It has become the overwhelming trend for women to dress like "professionals" on October 31st, and it seems like there is a mounting pressure for more women to do so. On a similar note, it's become more and more common for men to wear costumes that literally present their penises (or cartoonish stuffed ones) in scenarios that would suggest assault or deceit if they happened in real life.
As someone who loves Halloween and the opportunity to really come up with a good costume and act like a kid all night, I hate this trend. Last year's most popular: Sexy Sarah Palin. I was sick of this a week before I saw one woman dressed like the former governor of Alaska. But, inevitably, two women wore this costume to the party I attended (my costume was political as well, but it wasn't Sarah Palin, I promise). Turns out, you can make anything "sexy" with a pair of fishnets and a pushup bra. Anything. And men's costumes, which seem deperate to be funny, often exploit a really misogynist sense of humor.
The variety of "sexy" costumes out there has gotten way out of control. Some are silly, most are unoriginal, and a few are out of line. Here are the best/worst I found in my digging. (I've put the very offensive ones at the end. They could be considered NSFW, if grotesque, anatomically incorrect fake genitals are something your boss doesn't like).
Sexy Witch: straightforward, simple, understated.
Sexy Vampire: Much like the sexy witch, but a little more European,
Sexy Nurse: Haven't you always wondered what R.N. really stands for?
Sexy Cowgirl: Groping ranch hands sold separately.
Sexy Harry Potter: Because every man has fantasized about the children's beloved boy-wizard feminized and with 300 cc's of silicone in his chest. Hey, where's her lightning-bolt scar?
(What's next, Sexy Max from WTWTA?)
Sexy Hunter: In case you can't read her shirt, it says "Trophy Rack." Get it?
Sexy Mental Patient: I can't even begin to explain how wrong this one is, considering the history of sexual abuse that mental hospitals have been known for. This woman is literally tied up (and they make sure to show us the easy access from the back).
Sexy Cave Woman: She's staring at you with that, "I-want-you-to-grab-me-by-my-hair-and-drag-me" look. (The name of this costume is Ivanna Bone. I kid you not.)
Sexy Environmentalist: "Reduce (me), Reuse (me), Recycle (me)."
Sexy Native American: This costume is called "Pochahottie." Ethnic genocide is sexy.
Sexy Spring-breaker: "I probably felt pressured into going this by my bofriend or this guy I just met from the University of Florida who seems really nice. Oooh! Is that Joe Francis?"
Penis in Spaghetti: Could you imagine being at a party with this guy? Relentless sausage jokes while he hangs by the snack table all night.
Flasher: Could you imagine being at a party with this guy? He actually thinks it's funny to pretend he's committing sexual assault! That's a felony!
Halloweenie: Could you imagine being at a party with this guy? Oh wait. You probably already have.
