We all know that Halloween is a time to wear the kind of clothes we ordinarily couldn’t get away with—and typically for the ladies, our outfits are more risqué than usual. But this is the digital age, and a potential employer could check out your Facebook profile, meaning that unfortunate tag of you in your skimpy Batgirl outfit could be your undoing. So for the Collegiette who wants to be edgy and fun but doesn’t want to get fired or not hired, we’ve compiled a list of Facebook-safe costume ideas that are still cute but not so safe that they make you feel like your mom dressed as the salt to your dad’s pepper shaker. You can be sexy without being trashy!
Remember that you can make a skimpy version of any outfit, so don’t assume that following these ideas is foolproof. Last year I saw girls at my high school dressed up as sexy Ninja Turtles—proof that anything can become skimpified. Use common sense and if something unmentionable is at risk of hanging out of your ensemble, it’s time to change. Remember that the Halloween costume companies seem to make a living off of forcing girls to pick from costumes with sexy in front of it—sexy nurse, sexy witch, sexy police woman, sexy little Bo Peep, etc. A great option is to hunt down individual pieces yourself and do a little DIY to get them in shape for Halloween.
Lastly, before we get to the ideas, no matter what your outfit, if you’re caught on camera doing not-so-respectable activities on Halloween and it ends up online, not even dressing like a nun will save you from the consequences, so stay classy, Collegiettes!
Costume Idea #1: 90s (or earlier) Cartoon Characters
Halloween is really all about being that childish, mischievous kid again, so why not dress up as one of the Planeteers from Captain Planet, Angelica from Rugrats, Daria, Daphne or Velma from Scooby Doo, Officer Jenny, Nurse Joy, or Misty from Pokémon, or a Powerpuff Girl. You can even dress up as a “gijinka,” which is the human version of a Pokémon. These are easy to keep clean and you’ll look cute, fun, and interesting. Your outfit is a great conversation starter because people who ask about your costume will be able to say, “Oh my gosh, I remember watching that as a kid!” This is much better than, “Are you wearing a bra? How did you get it to hide behind that tiny polyester top?”
Costume Idea #2: Disney Princesses
Classic—every girl has been one of these at least once. There are the usual suspects like Cinderella, Aurora, Mulan, Ariel, Belle, and Jasmine. Then there are the less-done Disney girls like Pocahontas, Lilo, Nani, Alice, Esmeralda, Wendy, Tinkerbell, Kida, Captain Amelia, Jane, and Megara. Then there are the newer ones like Tiana, Rapunzel, Charlotte, and Mother Gothel. Then there are the Pixar ladies like Ellie from Up, Jessie from Toy Story, Boo from Monsters Inc., Violet from The Incredibles, or Merida, the red-headed Scottish princess from the up-coming movie Brave. And don’t forget about the non Disney Girls like Anastasia and Thumbelina! They are all fun to dress up as and no employer will see a Disney Darling outfit as trashy.
Costume Idea #3: Dress from a Different Era
Whether you pick the 80s, the 60s, the 50s, or the 20s, throwing together an outfit from a different time is an easy way to keep it classy but have an outfit that’s still fun and interesting. Go as a flapper from the Roaring Twenties, an aerobics instructor from the 80s, a go-go girl or hippie from the 60s, or a chic young woman from the 50s.
Costume Idea #4: Be an Inanimate Object
Now I’m sure everyone has seen unflattering M&M or Pumpkin costumes and wants to back out of this, but you can make random stuff into a cute outfit. These girls are dressed up as sushi, with raw fish pillows strapped to their backs, wasabi headbands and pickled ginger earrings. You can also dress up as a crayon, flower, or carrot. Be creative and you can make a great outfit. If all else fails, sew, staple, or glue random objects onto a color-coordinating dress and a headband, wear some sunglasses and punchy make-up and tell everyone you’re Lady Gaga.
Costume Idea #5: Gender-bend a Male Character!
Now, this is one of those ideas that will easily turn into a skimpy ensemble, especially if you get it store bought. Remember though, that you can make it apparent that you’re a female version of a character without showing unladylike amounts of your lady parts. It’s easy to swap out pants for a skirt or a dress or even show some midriff. But remember, keep it classy and don’t go overboard.
That’s all for this Halloween special! Remember that the William and Mary Police are cracking down on kids wearing masks for security reasons, and that fake weapons are not going to fly since such an abundance of fake weapons could make it easy for someone to sneak a real weapon in. Keep everyone safe and don’t make the police work any harder than they have to. Also remember that the crime rate tends to spike around this time of year, so don’t go anywhere alone and always have a phone on you. Stay safe, make Tribe choices, and have fun!