Need Proof of Inequality? Look At Costumes

by Camela Thompson

I was listening to the radio the other day, and there was a commercial for a local costume shop that went something like this:

**ditzy woman's voice** Should I be the sexy nurse? Or should I be the slutty nurse?

Despite the set up, this is not a rant about the objectification of women on Halloween. I have no problem with women expressing their sexual side and embracing their bodies by showing them off. If you want to wear that micro skirt, you go girl. What I do wonder is why men don't do the same. Men are viewed as "hot" fully clothed in a three-piece suit, but their date has to wear the bare minimum to get the same reaction. What is up with that? 

When I Googled "male vampire costume," images of fully clad men concealed with full body capes filled page after page. When I Googled "female vampire costume," I got this:

None of the naughty bits are hanging out, but no one is fooled by the sheer spider web material. The corset still presents the girls front and center, and those long stems are on display. What do you think you get when you Google "sexy male vampire costume"? This:

The pants are baggy, but there's less of a cape. Show us that tailored suit! Yeah! 

Come on. Really? 

I said "sexy vampire," not "fully clothed and concealed hotness." Those aren't even tear away pants. That might have made it better. 

The same search for women got me this:

Am I making my point? In order for her to be sexy, we have a corset and a skirt that is threatening to spill her bum out from the bottom. "Slutty vampire female costume" displayed more of the same with a few variations that just offered a little bit of latex. In order to call the "sexy costume" images even, there needs to be much less material for the men. And probably leather. And maybe some fishnet....

The pants are a little long, 
but it might still be sexy.

This could pass for slutty...
#AmIRight?

What kind of costumes would you like to see out there? Do you think it's good that men focus on costumes that are entertaining or macho rather than something to attract the opposite sex? Or do you think the intent to attract the opposite sex is there and we just aren't communicating clearly?