Written by Elaina Pevide
Halloween’s main appeal lies in it’s ability to allow the freedom to adopt a new identity for a night.
Although costumes can be fun, clever and a brilliant creative outlet, there is a fine line between being edgy and being insensitive.
There is rarely clear distinction between what makes a costume acceptable or not, so here is a more definitive guide to choosing a costume that not only guarantees a fun night for you, but assures that everyone around you will be able to appreciate your costume and enjoy their Halloween with you.
Do:
-
Ignore comments that shame your costume. Besides an offensive one, there is no “wrong” or “right” costume for a person. Wear what makes you happy. Halloween is a great justification for doing something that you may typically think is out of your comfort zone.
-
Consider using your costume as social commentary.
-
Dress as symbols of female empowerment, such as iconic females from history, films, pop culture and politics. Rosie the Riveter, Cher from Clueless, Princess Tiana, Cat Woman, the Statue of Liberty, Beyonce, Katniss Everdeen, Marie Antoinette, Elizabeth Swann, Wonder Woman, Hermione Granger and Ellen can all serve as both fun costumes and reminders of feminine power.
-
Defy gender roles and choose typically “masculine” costumes. Store bought costumes often rely on sexist ideology, male costumes are more accurate portrayals of characters and professions while their female counterparts are cutesy, sexually charged, cartoonish versions of the same things. Don’t be afraid to venture into the “Men’s Costume” aisle for inspiration, or to chose male-associated costumes, such as science-fiction, video game or superhero characters, horror movie icons or more accurate costumes of doctors, astronauts or firemen.
-
Be cautious when wearing costumes that may be found frightening or triggering to other people. Although scary costumes and surprises are a part of typical Halloween fun, understand that common Halloween practices can be large hurdles for people with anxiety, traumatic pasts or other personal matters. Be understanding of others who are easily scared and respect the wishes of people who do not want to engage in haunted activities or ask you not to spook them.
Don’t:
-
Use other cultures as costumes. Ever. This includes refraining from using symbols of the Day of the Dead (such as sugar skulls), as this is a separate religious holiday in Mexican culture. Entire peoples cannot be reduced into a costume for one night of fun, and culturally based costumes often rely on harmful and inaccurate stereotypes. It is insulting to the targeted cultures to utilize them for your benefit.
-
Use blackface or makeup to imitate any skin tones other than your own. This is racism.
-
Dress as a member of the trans community or use transphobic slurs to describe your gender-swapped costume. Be very respectful and courteous if your costume requires gender bending.
-
Wear a costume that relates to something or someone who is known to be racist, sexist, harmful or offensive, no matter how clever or funny these options may be. (i.e. Donald Trump, Rachel Dolezal, Nazis, KKK members, Mobsters or any criminals/violent people from current events or pop culture)
-
Shame others for their costume choices, assume girls wearing provocative costumes are doing so for male attention, or make personal remarks about how someone looks in a costume.
-
Feel obligated to wear revealing or “attractive” costumes. There is plentiful pressure on women to look sexually appealing on Halloween, and the majority of the commercially available costumes for females are marketed as “sexy” and provocative. If you are not comfortable wearing such an outfit or prefer another option, do not feel as though you aren’t “doing it right” or are an outsider. Do whatever makes you comfortable.
