So you’ve got plans tonight? Wonderful! Whether trick-or-treating or heading to a party, the question remains: what should you wear? From animals or appliances to your favorite Toy Story character, the choice is yours and your ideas are many.
Though we all quote Mean Girls to mock the trend, it’s still disconcerting that costume designers and marketers are forcing the message that women must wear revealing costumes on Halloween. Check out “The Evolution of Costumes, from Girls to Women,” from Hypervocal. Starting with adorable children’s costumes, the progression through ages culminates with straight-up lingerie for adult women. The way these costumes are designed and marketed plays into the idea that women are only valued when sexualized and objectified for men’s pleasure. And sadly, these marketing ploys are increasingly targeting teens, tweens, and young girls. The impressive #NotBuyingIt campaign has worked hard to petition costume companies to change their costumes and change the problematic language they use to describe them. (Click here to learn more about the campaign, find out how they’ve impacted costume marketing this year, and sign the petition.)
Be safe, and Happy Halloween!
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Julia Ramos is our RPE Program Intern. She contributes to our Community Education program with education and advocacy support.
Alyson Culin is our Development and Marketing Director. She works behind the scenes to support the Center and its mission with fundraising, communications, and advocacy.