Halloween: Going from innocent to scandalous

I remember when Halloween was about dressing up as princess and walking through my neighborhood collecting candy from door to door. Now, when I think of Halloween, I visualize adults at a costume party dancing crazily and wearing provocative clothing. More importantly, where has all the candy gone? All I see is “party drinks” being served. It might just be that I’m getting older or that our society is changing, but Halloween is no longer seen as a children’s holiday. Halloween has become a giant costume party, giving men and women the chance to dress scandalously without judgment. Costumes such as “slutty” Big Bird and “scandalous” Elmo are on the market everywhere. These costumes appear to look like the cartoons but have added extras, such as yellow fishnet stockings to match the outfit. Yes, dressing up as your favorite cartoon character that you loved as a kid is memorable, but kind of perverted when you add booty shorts and crop top to the mix.

The great thing about Halloween is that we have the opportunity to be someone we’re not and dress up as something we always wanted to be. One great example of how provocative Halloween has gotten is the Halloween scene from “Mean Girls.”  Regina George, the leader of “the plastics,” dresses up as a Playboy bunny to portray herself as dominant and seductive. The interesting thing that happens is when Cady Heron, a social outcast, walks in the party dressed as a dead bride. Cady was just trying to be scary for Halloween whereas Regina just wanted to impress the hottest guy ever, Aaron Samuels.

Also, if you are wearing something provocative, do not chuckle and say you’re just like that one cartoon character. Captain Obvious is at the party, and he can see right through that white lie. For instance, judgment is shown upon Karen Smith when she points at her mouse ears and says, “I’m a mouse, duh.” No actually Karen, you look like a Playboy bunny wearing a leotard.

The disturbing thing is society has encouraged us to dress this way. The movies and TV shows we watch all show wild costume parties with people in scandalous costumes happening on Halloween. Now, there is nothing wrong with feeling hot and wanting to show a little skin, but there comes a point where a girl is showing too much skin and people are starting to make assumptions. I’m not a nun by any means, but there is a way to be classy and cute on Halloween rather than becoming a hotter version of Pocahontas. Halloween should not be about who wins “most revealing costume.” It should be about enjoying a night off from your normal life with your friends while dancing with a stranger in a Buzz Light Year costume.