It’s Not Ok to Slut Shame Girls on Halloween and Here’s Why

A few years ago, I saw a post on Facebook from a girl I barely knew in her Halloween costume, and she looked BOMB. She had intricate, scary make up and as “realistic” a costume as someone could manage according to what they were trying to be. But I couldn’t “like” the post because of its caption. It was a huge paragraph about why girls should dress up as something actually scary while shaming the ones who went to parties as cats, princesses or God forbid, something “slutty.” She was taking Halloween seriously and believed every girl should do the same, and have some self-respect.
LAPP, LAPP The Brand, Leomie Anderson, Halloween, slut shaming

Source: @blVckd0pe

This idiotic concept has been around for ages. It’s become so normalised that even girls will tell you they’re going as a “slutty” this or that and subconsciously slut shame themselves; it’s not just men. Of all the offensive, racist costumes people could choose, the worst thing to wear on Halloween still seems to be something skimpy or short. It’s the perfect example of one of the biggest hardships of being a woman: you’re expected to have the perfect body, and not to hide it in “frumpy” clothes. But, should a woman dare to wear something too short or tight, she’s “trash” or a “slut.” Her sexiness is not her own but for others to judge. This  obsession with controlling women’s bodies pervades even seemingly fun and carefree fesitivities.
Halloween is an occasion which perfectly exemplifies our need to own and control women’s bodies. It is another way of regulating what we can and cannot wear, and to ensure a woman feels ashamed of being anything other than an appropriate middle ground. But in reality, what should it matter to anyone else if a woman decides to express her sexuality and dress in something tight, skimpy or revealing? 
Halloween is supposed to be fun for everyone involved, but it takes an edge off your evening if you’re the one being judged on your outfit choice. Importantly, this judgement doesn’t just comprise of demeaning comments-it’s the degrading ones too. It doesn’t matter how small her Playboy bunny costume is, leering, cat-calling and unwanted touching is never ok. Girls have every right in the world to dress in sexy costumes and expect not to be harassed or assaulted.
LAPP, LAPP The Brand, Leomie Anderson, Halloween, slut shaming

Source: slicey-k.@tumblr.com

Finally, as for the women who join in with this regulation of ‘slutty vs scary’ Halloween costumes- you’re part of the problem. Enjoying wearing a genuinely scary costume is fine, self-righteousness and comparison to the many ‘slutty cats’ who will fill up Halloween parties this year, is not. You aren’t any better than the Disney princess next to you and your attitude is clearly far worse. This Halloween, don’t drag other women down, tell them how fantastic they look, and appreciate the effort they did (or didn’t) put in to dress up exactly how they want.
Written by Katt Skippon

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