Hello, lovelies!
It’s that time of year again! Are you ready to see zombies, vampires, and slutty versions of various occupations running around? As a feminist, I’ve been asked questions like, “Can you be a feminist and wear a slutty Halloween costume?” and “Can you actually have a feminist Halloween?” My short answer is yes, you can.
“Halloween is the one night a year when a girl can dress like a total slut and no other girls can say anything about it.” – Cady Heron in Mean Girls
First of all, the point of the current wave of feminism is that women should be allowed to choose for themselves. If you feel empowered while showing off her body, get it, girl! If being modest empowers you, cover it up, beautiful! It’s all about what makes you happy and comfortable. The idea that a woman can’t be both “slutty” and a feminist is decidedly antifeminist in and of itself.
Additionally, condemning another woman for dressing like a slut on Halloween is totes antifeminist, too. Feminists fight for women to have the right to decide what to do with their own bodies. Slut-shaming another woman for what she chooses to put, or not to put, on her body completely goes against this fundamental principle of feminism.
Rules for Celebrating a Feminist Halloween
- Do what makes you feel comfortable and happy. If you want to go to a Halloween party as a half-naked slutty mouse, go for it, girl! Keep in mind, going to work, sitting in class, or handing out candy to kids in you underwear is probably not a great idea.
- Don’t slut-shame other women. If you see a fellow partygoer in dressed as a slutty cat, let her live! It’s not your business whether or not she wants to show off her body.
- Don’t modesty-shame either. If another chick decides to wear her kigurumi, that’s not your business either.
- Don’t question another girl’s reasons for wearing a certain style of costume. Are her tits out because she likes them, or because she wants a guy to notice them? Is she wearing a kigurumi because she a prude, or because she wanted to be comfortable. Did she beat her face for attention, or did she just want to be artistic? Whatever her reasons are, they are her own.
- Have fun! If you want to go to a crazy party and make out with a bunch of dudes and/or chicks, get it(safely), girl! Do you want to sit at home in full costume and watch Hocus Pocus while drinking wine and eating candy? Go for it! If you’re doing the latter, you’re in good company. That’s totally what I’m going to do, too.
What are your thoughts on slutty Halloween costumes? Let me know in the comments! xo
Feature Image Credit: Amanda Nazzal
I have had my ups and downs on the idea of slutty costumes. When I was in highschool I liked trying to dress scandalous for attention. A lot of it was probably out of rebellion. I wasn’t even allowed to wear hoop earrings that were too big or have the top part of my ear pierced because it looked “bad girl”. Then I hit that point after high school where I wanted to be more modest. This year I will be covered up. Hopefully next year I’ll be able to show my body off (because I am working this bod out and I am going to be super proud of myself if I stick to my routine) But if I do decide to dress up in a way that shows my midriff it will be for my husband and me, it won’t be to get attention from other guys…. oh yeah and now I have 11 piercings.. :p but it’s not out of rebellion and plus I am 26, I can do what I want now!! 🙂
I totally had my scandalous rebellious days, too! I think we all go through that at some point, some of us for longer periods of time than others. I still haven’t decided what to be this year, or if I should be cute, creepy, slutty, or a combination of the three. Whatever I choose will be for me. I’m working on my body, too! We can totally be motivation buddies! Whatever you do, werk, girl! <3
Hm.. I have actually stopped buying premade costumes and have a lot more fun putting my own together, plus it is cheaper. Last year I was Liv Moore-from Izombie, Once I was a leprechaun, also a Native American, this year- I am just going to wear my Medieval costume. I have my wooden sword and my cardboard sheath. lol
We can totally motivate each other!
So have I! The last few years, I was Vanellope Von Schweetz, Wednesday Addams, and a haunted doll. Your Medieval costume should be fun! You can’t go wrong with a wooden sword.
I agree. I believe everyone gets to choose what they want to wear, as long as it’s also respectful to where they are going to go. Kind of like your example of not handing out candy to kids in pretty much underwear.
I’m more on the kigurumi side (although I don’t own one, but I really wish I would!!) but my friends range in all kind of costume sides. Then again, I’m also used to comic book conventions, so, yea, Halloween is not the only time I get to see all the awesome costumes 😉
I have an owl kigurumi somewhere. I need to find it!