pressures of dressing “sexy” for halloween

Since Halloween and Halloween activities are upcoming, now is the time to talk about the pressures of presenting “sexy” during the holiday.

Halloween is annually on October 31st, but the celebration and preparation begin before that date for many adults who do participate in dressing up. Halloween is commonly known for children wearing costumes representing their favorite character and then walking door to door to receive candy in return.

We have seen for decades through different forms of media, that feminine-presenting people dress a certain way during the Halloween season. Those expectations are still relevant today, not just in media, but on college campuses.

College students, choose to dress in the same costumes they did as a child but create their current costumes differently. I am a junior in college and have experienced two years of college Halloween parties, and I have seen some of my favorite childhood icons such as PowerPuff Girls, Tinker Bell, and Barbie presented in a different light. For the record, I do not think there is anything wrong with dressing in a way that makes someone feel good about themselves and or their body. I personally enjoy expressing myself by wearing a costume that is deemed as “sexy” or “immodest” but is socially acceptable because of the holiday. With that being said, I think it is important to have a conversation about the possible pressures some feminine-presenting people face when choosing their Halloween outfits.

“Sexy” Halloween costumes are an expectation in college party culture that has been implemented for decades, so let’s talk about it. It is not that all feminine-presenting people need to dress a certain way to show off their body and skin, but there is pressure to do so.

Pressures include judgmentally stares and comments from other women and feminine-presenting people who do and do not support dressing “sexy” on Halloween. Another pressure is societal, I personally enjoy partaking in dressing provocatively during this holiday, but I know there is external pressure placed on young adults to dress a certain way during Halloween.

What conversations can we have with one another to help ensure someone is choosing to express themselves how they want and not how society wants?

For starters, be mindful that not all women want to dress in a way that may show a lot of their skin. Be mindful that not all feminine-presenting people want to express themselves by revealing their bodies and skin in their costumes. Another way to help yourself and or a friend is by creating a judgment-free space and encouraging space surrounded by body positivity and acceptance. Acknowledging and recognizing that if you choose to dress “sexy” for Halloween, it should not be a standard for others. There is a long history of society placing pressures on women to present a certain way to please a man’s eye, but it is important to recognize that these pressures are not placed on women.

As I have mentioned some of the pressures of dressing “sexy” for Halloween. Remember, dressing up is an opportunity to express yourself in a way that you may feel like you can’t in the regular months. Expressing yourself does not mean dressing “sexy” to all, so open the idea of dressing in a way that may make you laugh or feel nostalgic.

Here are fun costume ideas to express yourself on Halloween to hopefully limit the pressure of presenting a certain way.

At the end of the day, I hope as a society we keep striving to create judgment-free and safe spaces for all who want to celebrate. Remember to check in on yourself and a friend if you choose to dress up for the Halloween occasion.