This story was original published on October 29, 2015.
Halloween is an excuse to show a different side of yourself or act like someone entirely new, which is why most Halloween costumes available to women are "sexy." We're of the mentality that if you want all eyes on you, you don't have to wait around for that one day in October. But for many, the holiday is an opportunity to try a persona on for size, and there's nothing wrong with that.
But the thing we take offense to is sexy costumes that are also so ubiquitous that you're pretty much guaranteed that a half-dozen other women at your party will have the same one on. If you're not cool with looking like everyone else during the other 364 days of the year, why are you okay with that on that one particular day? C'mon, ladies, we have the internet. There are tons of other characters out there that let you be your weird, interesting self, while also doing the sexy thing.
If you've decided to go the racy route, don't follow the pack this year. We've called out the most typically snoozy sexy costumes out there, and their more interesting boxed-costume alternatives.
Instead Of: Catwoman
All you're saying with this one is that you look good in a bodysuit. Congrats.
Photo: Courtesy of Yandy.
Go For: Katniss
Look, it's still a bodysuit! But more important, you're channeling humankind's last hope for salvation, not Batman's love interest.
Photo: Courtesy of Halloween Costumes.
Instead Of: Little Red Riding Hood
This is the one you wear when you want a million creeps asking you to call them the big, bad wolf.
Photo: Courtesy of Party City.
Go For: Cookie Monster
Why is this a thing that exists? Don't worry about that, just roll with it. There's also a Big Bird version, if your taste runs that way, although then you won't get all the free cookies.
Photo: Courtesy of Halloween Costumes.
Instead Of: Dorothy
For some reason, it seems extra wrong to turn a girl who's lost and far away from home into an object of the male gaze.
Photo: Courtesy of Party City.
Go For: Super Mario
Now, here's a character who is never lost.
Photo: Courtesy of Spirit Halloween.
Instead Of: Princess Leia
Excitement for this year's Star Wars means this Comic-Con staple is going to be all over the place. But it's just ick to dress as a "slave."
Photo: Courtesy of Spirit Halloween.
Go For: Yoda
Way to flip expectations on their little green head. If you must, pretend this caption is written in Yoda-syntax.
Photo: Courtesy of Yandy.
Instead Of: Snow White, Cinderella & All Other Disney Princesses
We have enough problems with the antiquated gender roles in classic fairy tales. Now you have to add bare midriffs and garter belts into the equation?
Photo: Courtesy of Party City.
Go For: Ursula
Oh, yeah. Look at those seductive tentacles.
Photo: Courtesy of Amazon.
Instead Of: Wonder Woman
She is an old-school badass, which is nice. Just another one we're bored of.
Photo: Courtesy of Spirit Halloween.
Go For: Valkyrie
Marvel's Asgardian superheroine is rumored to be making her way to the big screen in Thor 3. This is your chance to get ahead of the trend.
Photo: Courtesy of Spirit Halloween.
Instead Of: Minnie Mouse
We get it, it's funny to turn Disney's symbol of wholesome femininity into the opposite. It's just over.
Photo: Courtesy of AMI Clubwear.
Go For: Pizza Rat
Sure, you might be a year late to this, but Pizza Rat is the much more #relevant rodent.
Photo: Courtesy of Yandy.
Instead Of: Sexy Student
The plaid-wearing student is as integral to the hetero male fantasy canon as Sexy Nurse. Which is why you should do better.
Photo: Courtesy of AMI Clubwear.
Go For: Marty McFly
Here's a student who didn't have to be taught twice what a gigawatt is.
Instead Of: Sexy...Sexy
There are a surprising amount of costumes available that involve fur boots, a frilly leotard, and a useless hood. Don't ask us what it's supposed to be, though, except for someone who got lost on their way to the rave tent at Burning Man.
Photo: Courtesy of AMI Clubwear.
Go For: Sexy Uncool Animal
We understand that the appeal of furry leg warmers is strong in late October. If the allure is too much to resist, go for a costume that makes as much sense as wearing shorts with your fur boots (in this case, a sexy raccoon).
Photo: Courtesy of Yandy.Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
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