When we were eight years old, we let our imaginations run wild and dressed up as anything we wanted, and the sole point of dressing up was to go door-to-door asking for candy. Now, it seems all that people are concerned about is looking more attractive, which doesn’t make sense because we are in high school and some people don’t know the difference between “your” and “you’re.”
When I was younger, I dressed up as Ariel from The Little Mermaid, Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz, and a 1950s Sock Hop girl. When I went as all of these characters, I was not worried about other perceptions of my costume; the only thing that mattered was whether I felt good about myself. My favorite costume was Ariel. I was able to live my Disney Princess fantasy and only think about how much candy I was going to get that day. That’s what everyone should be concerned about: having fun and eating twenty mini Kit-Kats.
Recently though, I have felt pressure to be less creative in my costumes for the sake of looking more attractive. Two years ago, I dressed up as a ‘pirate’ which was just simply a corset, short-shorts, and knee high socks…not original at all. I still had fun, but I was mainly preoccupied with how other people would judge my costume. The only thing I should have been concerned with was having fun, and though I was, that Halloween was more about how other people viewed me.
A Halloween costume should somewhat reflect who someone is as a person as well as being original. One does not need to necessarily invent a completely new and obscure idea, but adding individualized elements to a character can be what separates someone from being lackluster to something that other people, like myself, will appreciate. A red shirt and pointy tail should not be considered a devil costume.
Likewise, a white shirt, white tulle skirt, and halo should not be considered an angel costume. Neither of them should entail that these are ‘costumes’ either. A shirt, skirt, and headband is not a costume; it is simply an everyday outfit that an individual has chosen to call a costume.
I am not saying that it is terrible to go as an angel, devil, or witch, but if one decides to go with a more rudimentary option, there are ways to elevate it to another level. Instead of putting a simple and mundane accessory, upgrade the piece by personalizing it; add an element that makes a statement about one’s personal characteristics.
This year, I am dressing up as Beetlejuice, and while it might be a popular costume this year because of the new movie, I will amplify the look. I am adding my own elements to it, like my own interpretation of the makeup, different colored tights, and silver high heels. It is not necessary to do outlandish things to change the character completely, but I am still adding my own elements to make it more personal to myself.
I have begun to realize that Halloween is not solely about looking good, it is about being something/someone that I cannot be any other day of the year. So, if this is the one day a year where I am able to express myself in any way without judgment, I am deciding to go all out instead of hiding behind what has become normalized for people to do during Halloween. I do not understand why it has become a thing that when people grow up, they are “not allowed” to dress up as something spooky or funny anymore.
In the past, Halloween was about being spooky, creative, and whimsical. The feeling of running around neighborhoods, going from door to door trick-or-treating, and carving pumpkins in itchy costumes was what made Halloween so special and unique to other holidays. I want to continue to enjoy pumpkin patches, carving pumpkins, and going to haunted houses as well as being able to be myself during the season. Let us push back on the societal normalities that it is not okay to dress up as something fun or go trick-or-treating as teenagers.
Instead of letting go of creativity and whimsy for Halloween, bring it back even stronger. Halloween is not only about looking attractive these days; it is about preserving the nostalgic, spooky, and fun feelings that this amazing holiday and fall season provides.