When Sexy Becomes Scary

Imagine if your 13-year-old daughter came to you and said she had narrowed her Halloween costume ideas down to the following choices:

• Witch
• Lady Bug
• Statue of Liberty

Those sound like safe, traditional costume ideas, right? Thank goodness she’s not asking for something sexy, skimpy or shocking. I mean, just check out any costume store or online costume site and you can see how popular sexy costumes have become. Halloween costumes with plunging necklines, mini-skirts, and garters are dominating the shelves, and they can be powerfully tempting to a teenage girl.

But hold on. Before you start patting yourself on the back for your great parenting skills, you better be asking some more questions about her costume ideas.

Costume retailers have found a way to make even the tamest characters look risque. You think there is no way to make a ladybug sexy? Think again. And witches are scary and ugly—certainly not sexy, right? Don’t be too sure! And, wait…whoa…check out those garters on the Statue of Liberty!

While these ultra-sexy costumes are presumably marketed to adults, in many cases they are also sold in teen and even pre-teen sizes. Many costume retailers report that sales of sexy costumes to young girls are on the rise. Your child will probably have friends who wear something that you would consider way too mature for a teen. Young girls who feel pressure to look sexy are likely to feel it even more on Halloween.

So your best bet is to spell out some rules to your teen before they even start developing their Halloween costume ideas. While you might want to grant some freedom of expression, you also probably want to limit the amount of skin your teen can show. With a little creativity you can help her come up with something that will make her feel feminine, glamorous--and even grown-up—but that will also keep you in your comfort zone.

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Popcorn Box Costume Idea

Take a box and cut it to fit the person. Paint it with red and white stripes and write "POPCORN" on the front. Glue popped popcorn around the top of box. String some popcorn in your hair. Wear white make-up. Use an upside-down popcorn bucket for a hat.

Idea submitted by Stephanie Bice
Photo submitted by thingone

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Getting Political for Halloween

With the election just days away, it’s the perfect time to use your Halloween costume to express your political views. Or maybe it’s just a good excuse to poke some fun at our elected officials!

We’re here to help you out with some suggestions, and we've even created some free paper masks that you can download and print (hey times are tough right!?). No matter your political affiliation, you can make a statement this year!

Pro-Obama

To show your support for Obama, wear the Obama mask with a dark suit, crisp white shirt, striped tie, American flag lapel pin and a button that says “Change We Can Believe In.”

Pro-McCain

McCain supporters should wear the McCain mask with a conservative suit and tie. Use temporary hair color to turn your hair white. Add a button with McCain’s slogan: “Country First,” and give everyone the “thumbs up” sign.

Anti-Obama

Wear an Obama costume (see above). Carry a bucket and insist that all the rich kids hand over their candy so you can redistribute it.

Anti-McCain

Wear a McCain costume (see above). Wear a bald cap, some Depends over your clothes, and use a walker.

Other Ideas

• Dress like a dog, wear the Obama mask and call yourself “Bark Obama”
• Dress like McCain, with a McCain mask over your face, and a George W. Bush mask on the back of your head.

Political Couples Ideas:

• Sarah Palin and a moose
• Obama and a pig with lipstick
• Sarah Palin and Maverick (either Tom Cruise from “Top Gun” or Mel Gibson from “Maverick”)
• Sarah Palin and Joe the Plumber

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