It seems that women’s Halloween outfits get skimpier every year. That’s probably just my aging self talking. However, after seeing many of my usually conservative, female friends and acquaintances dress up in costumes that show a gazillion miles of skin they otherwise wouldn’t show, I question what leads them to be OK with letting it all hang out on this particular day.
Don’t get me wrong: I’m all for being proud of and tastefully struttin’ your stuff, if it makes you feel good. What’s contradictory is that it’s usually these same friends who act shocked when they see me showing a little more décolletage or leg than most women (including them) dare to on any given day — usually when I’m feeling super comfortable in my skin. Plus, when these friends are deciding on their costumes, I constantly hear them say something along the lines of, “Oh yeah, last year, my guy friend was like, ‘Girl, I didn’t know you had it in you. You look hot!’”
The compliments are obviously a motivating factor in women continuing to choose sexy costumes, pushing the envelope on dressing for others more than for themselves. But, wouldn’t it be more fun — and less stressful — to have dates with your sexy, inner-seductress style throughout the year than to play out that sex-kitten role for one night?
I’m all too familiar with getting to a stage where certain clothes are no longer age appropriate. For example, I like to think I’m not the only self-sabotaging Latina out there who every now and then holds up that pair of jean shorts she used to love wearing in college and think: Wow! I used to fit in these and wear ‘em to class … and around my parents?! They could pass for Victoria’s Secret boy shorts! More than sabotage, a decade and 30 pounds later, those college-days shorts are motivation to wear what makes me feel good as often as possible because I’ll eventually get to a stage where certain types of clothes are no longer acceptable for public appearances, regardless of my size.
My point: If you’re feeling super LMFAO (“I’m sexy, and I know it” http://youtu.be/wyx6JDQCslE), dress the part whenever you feel the desire to — not just on Halloween. Considering so many women have so much fun participating in Halloween’s popular theme of sexy versus scary-creative and then go back to covering up from head to toe year round, I’m not so much suggesting that we should show more skin but that we should make a date with our inner-seductress style — whatever that might be; big hair, leather leggings, smoky-eye makeup, etc. — more often.
My suggestions aside, the question remains: What motivates some women to be comfortable covering less skin on Halloween than they do any other day? Could it be that women use Halloween as an excuse to unleash their inner seductress and hide it the rest of the year so they don’t have to worry about being forever labeled non-girlfriend or non-wife material?
I’d love to know your thoughts. Until then, enjoy your Halloween weekend and get your sexy on!
