We have all felt the pressure of trying to find the perfect Halloween costume. After all, Halloween only happens once a year and choosing what to be gets even harder with age. For students at Ohio University, there are even more pressures when it comes to picking out a costume because it is the one of the most famous block parties in the nation.
Anytime I mention that I attend OU, the first thing that I get asked about is HallOUween. Somehow everyone knows that we have the largest party around. Little do they know how overcrowded the streets are and the town is crawling with too many ghosts, zombies, and ‘sexy school girls’ around every corner. With that being said, there is pressure to dress to impress. You never want to have “that costume,” the one that half of the university chooses to dress up as that year. On the other hand, you do not want to have a costume that you have to explain all night.
Then there is the age old question of slutty verses funny. This is not an easy decision, especially as a freshman or senior. As a freshman you contemplate being slutty since it is your first year on a college campus and you want to go all out. Then again you are a freshman, so do you want to stand out? Do you play it safe and go for a laugh or two instead? Seniors are in the same situation because it is their very last HallOUween as an undergrad. From here on out there are more standards when it comes to choosing costumes. The best costumes are when students find a happy medium, like Sandy Peffercorn from Sandlot. That costume is cute and sexy.
Photo from Red Brick
The Ohio weather never seems to be on anyone’s side. The first year I attended HallOUween it was snowing, but last year was in the mid 80s. This makes it difficult to plan too far in advanced. Having a backup costume, or a costume involving layers is advised in the Midwest.
Since HallOUween is one of the largest block parties in the United States, cell service is not reliable. This should be taken into consideration for group costume goers. Having a big group dress up together can have a great impact when done right, but when a member is missing there is a lot of explaining to do. At HallOUween most groups are going to get separated because there is just so much going on. Someone always utters the words “I’ll be right back” and twenty minutes later, the party is shut down and they are lost in a sea of costumes. It is difficult to find a steady group of friends to fit group costume ideas because you have to take into account who will run off and who will stay.
Photo from brit.co
There are a lot of factors working against the students at OU when costume searching, but every year the costumes never cease to be amazing.
Photo from amazonaws.com