Halloween is coming, and as women, we have all learnt a valuable lesson over the years: if you choose to dress up, even as something that hasn't been sexualized, you sure as hell better be rocking a tutu in some variation. Even if you are attempting to emulate, you know, Albert Einstein.
It’s almost become a rule that, if you’re over the age of eighteen and out on Halloween night, no matter how many hours you put into your costume and no matter how accurate your representation is, someone in a smaller, less recognizable outfit will steal the show.
There is no shame in flaunting what you've got, ladies. I have no qualms with shaking your money-maker in public. I have an issue with the evolution of Halloween costumes. You know when there’s a baby in the family, and you welcome it with a costume of a bumble bee – a big bundle of fluff covering the little one from head to toe? I don’t know, maybe you prefer the fluffy Tiger instead. That’s sweet, yes, but try finding one of those in a ladies size 12.
It does not happen. If you want to go to a party as a bumble bee this year, your only option is a black tutu and a yellow and black striped bra. Don’t forget the headgear; it’s vital for that much needed cute factor!
It’s starting to seem that whereas men dress for fun, women are the fun at Halloween.
Why do our costumes need gender roles? If I want to go out dressed as a burglar, complete with face mask and stripy jumper, I don’t want to throw heels and a leather skirt on the bottom. Give me some baggy trousers, please!
A movement named SPARK, who aim is to “push back on the sexualisation of girls, and have fun while fighting for girls' rights to healthy sexuality” pointed out the differences between the toddler costumes for girls and boys dressing up as the Cookie Monster and it’s really quite striking.
Are we imposing this on our children too, now?
Image: Hayley in Modern Family as Mother Teresa