“Anna Rexia” Costume Goes Too Far, Causes Controversy

Meet Anna Rexia, the Halloween costume that has recently hit the shelves, bringing with it a heavy dose of some well deserved controversy.

It’s hard to imagine a deadly disorder translated into a sexy Halloween costume, but the Anna Rexia outfit has become a hit at the few stores willing to sell the controversial costume. The Anna costume comes with a black, skintight dress with a silk-screened skeleton and a measuring tape ribbon belt.  Equipped with a measuring tape chocker, heart name tag, and a bone headband, the Anna costume pokes fun at the deadly disease that strikes millions. 

According to the National Eating Disorders Association, anorexia has the highest mortality rate of any mental illness.  Up to 10 million females and one million males in the U.S. suffer from eating disorders.  

Lynn Grefe, president and CEO of the National Eating Disorders Association, told CNN that only someone with a “sick mind” would buy and wear the costume, comparing it to dressing as a war veteran “with missing arms and legs.”

Initially designed and created in 2007, Dreamgirl, the costume’s manufacturer, noted that they discontinued Anna Rexia a few years ago. 

“We understand that some people will not find the dark humor funny, “ Alicia Brockwell, Dreamgirl’s director of marketing said, noting that the Anna designer is no longer with the company .  “Or that they are sensitive to the topic it addresses.  We don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings and would never want to cause harm to anyone. Dreamgirl is a company run by women for women. Halloween is an eccentric and irreverent holiday for people to express themselves in a myriad of ways. While some people may not like a particular costume – it is a matter of taste and personal discretion.”

While the costume is still being sold by few retailers, most vendors have pulled Anna Rexia from their shelves in the midst of complaints and growing controversy. 

“If Anna Rexia doesn’t want to put it in her mouth there is nothing you can say to change her mind. You can stop trying to sell her on the point that there aren’t any carbs and it’s all protein because Anna Rexia just doesn’t want anything to do with it,” describes one online retailer. “Make no bones about it this girl is as disciplined as they can get. Anna Rexia costume is anything but bare bones! Costume includes headband, choker neckband, removable ‘Anna Rexia’ badge and ribbon tie belt. If you’re starving for attention, this costume will be sure to put you on top of the world.”

Another description simply says, “You can never be too rich or too thin.”