Little girls dot the streets on Halloween night, wearing costumes that evoke the response they wish they could get all year long.
Some want to be seen as beautiful, and dress up as princesses; others love attention associated with shock appeal, so they cover themselves in green make-up and adhesive warts.
So where have the princesses and goblins gone?
“Walking around, I saw a lot of boobs, butts and midriff,” said Amanda Gatti, freshman.
Gatti was not alone, according to a poll of BGSU students, the vast majority saw the same “costume” – or lack thereof.
In fact, 93 out of 100 students polled said more than 75 percent of girls wore short skirts; and 95 out of 100 said more than 75 percent of girls wore low cut tops.
In other words, virtually every college student polled said that walking down the street this weekend, three in every four costumes was showing off both legs and breasts.
According to Christa Getz, the purchasing director for BuyCostumes.com, there has been an emergence of “ultrasexy” costumes in the last couple of years. Her company specifically sells outfits with names like Little Bo “Peep Show” and Miss Foul Play.
“Probably over 90 to 95 percent of our female costumes have a flirty edge to them,” Getz said, adding that sexy costumes are so popular the company had to break its “sexy” category into three subdivisions this year.
Heather Siegel, vice president of HalloweenMart.com said the costume industry is simply mirroring the fashion industry.
“Sexuality provides a resource that can be used to get attention and communicate instantly,” explained Sut Jhally, a professor at the University of Massachusetts. “The iconography of the culture, perhaps more than any previous society, seems to be obsessed with sexuality.”
But Halloween has double standards, and according to experts, they are less interested in attractiveness and accessorizing.
“They’re happy grabbing a mask and a robe and being done,” Siegel said.
Fortunately for males, their costume options are weather appropriate – the weather forecast for the 31st in Bowling Green called for a low of 30 degrees.
“We’re not just risking our dignity here,” Siegel said. “We’re risking frostbite.”
Lindsay Douglas, freshman, said that growing up, she dressed as a pumpkin for three years in a row.
“This year I wore a G.I. Jane costume, I went with my best friend and the costume was really fun to wear,” she said.
Her friends agreed that not all girls tried to appear sexy, and that they were examples of women who were more interested in having a great time.
Though the Sexy Devil, Playboy Bunny and Dominatrix reigned, they were not alone on the streets.
Caitlyn Brown and Katie Campbell two freshman wore Legends of the Hidden Temple suits, and Lauren Gallagher, another freshman, said she wore a “Chicken Cordon Bleu” costume, covered in blue holding a chicken and a cord. Perhaps the complete opposite of slutty, not all girls fit into the mold, and wore something they thought would get a laugh.
Even if the trend toward sexy costumes exists, Halloween ultimately remains a night of fun, freedom and self expression.
