Sexy, Sexah, NIGHTMARE!
October 16, 2022 3:27 AM Subscribe
Don't worry, most of these 'Sexy' Halloween Costumes can't actually hurt you.. probably From TheMarySue.com: ".. this list I have compiled for you has tossed all actual elements of sex appeal, taste, and logic out of the window. Get ready for the worst “sexy” costumes of the year."
Feast your eyes on 22 of the most dubious, head-scratching, downright wtf, "Sexy", commercially available, Halloween costumes of 2022.
Here is the list from 2021, 2020, and were it all started in 2018
Enjoy?
Feast your eyes on 22 of the most dubious, head-scratching, downright wtf, "Sexy", commercially available, Halloween costumes of 2022.
Here is the list from 2021, 2020, and were it all started in 2018
Enjoy?
All things considered, these actually seem like the sexiest versions of the least sexy starting points. It's not helping their cause that they used the sexiest models possible (and, frankly, looks to me that it's maybe 8-9 models across those 13 costume photos) to make their case.
These aren't particularly cringe so much as they're generally "not sexy" as a starting point but made sexy by both the models and the way (most of) the costumes are cut.
posted by revmitcz at 3:42 AM on October 16, 2022 [1 favorite]
These aren't particularly cringe so much as they're generally "not sexy" as a starting point but made sexy by both the models and the way (most of) the costumes are cut.
posted by revmitcz at 3:42 AM on October 16, 2022 [1 favorite]
You will only pry my sexy Shub-Niggurath costume off me with your cold, dead hands.
posted by kyrademon at 3:55 AM on October 16, 2022 [21 favorites]
posted by kyrademon at 3:55 AM on October 16, 2022 [21 favorites]
I have so many questions about [topic] and yet I want none of them answered is a pretty great line.
posted by solotoro at 4:10 AM on October 16, 2022 [11 favorites]
posted by solotoro at 4:10 AM on October 16, 2022 [11 favorites]
The “Sexy Pope” was particularly baffling.
posted by GenjiandProust at 4:20 AM on October 16, 2022 [5 favorites]
posted by GenjiandProust at 4:20 AM on October 16, 2022 [5 favorites]
This has almost become full circle, the way "ironically" worn ugly Xmas sweaters have almost become the norm. When does it stop being ironic? I don't think any of this stuff is genuinely ironic anymore (in the casual sense of the word ironic as often applied to fashion). Maybe I'm just grumpy.
The all-time best sexy Halloween costume example was the woman who made her own "Sexy Saturn Devouring His Son" costume which I think was linked here on the Blue, but I don't have time to search for it.
posted by SoberHighland at 4:31 AM on October 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
The all-time best sexy Halloween costume example was the woman who made her own "Sexy Saturn Devouring His Son" costume which I think was linked here on the Blue, but I don't have time to search for it.
posted by SoberHighland at 4:31 AM on October 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
Sexy Saturn Devouring His Son. Here you go: https://www.metafilter.com/193077/I-GIVE-YOU-Sexy-Saturn-Devouring-His-Son
posted by applesurf at 4:41 AM on October 16, 2022 [11 favorites]
posted by applesurf at 4:41 AM on October 16, 2022 [11 favorites]
The model for the Freddy Krueger one looks vaguely familiar. Like maybe she married some famous older guy or something.
posted by TedW at 4:47 AM on October 16, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by TedW at 4:47 AM on October 16, 2022 [1 favorite]
Searches post for sexy possum.....
posted by mightshould at 4:50 AM on October 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by mightshould at 4:50 AM on October 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
I think only the sexy bunny and sexy freddy kruger costumes are genuinely bad (not sexy).
The other ones really depend on if you're the exact right shape to pull them off, they don't seem forgiving... except maybe the pencil costume and baked chef costume, I appreciate they used plus sized models for those so you know they're gonna work on a variety of body types.
posted by subdee at 4:54 AM on October 16, 2022 [1 favorite]
The other ones really depend on if you're the exact right shape to pull them off, they don't seem forgiving... except maybe the pencil costume and baked chef costume, I appreciate they used plus sized models for those so you know they're gonna work on a variety of body types.
posted by subdee at 4:54 AM on October 16, 2022 [1 favorite]
Oh and of course the pope costume is the total opposite of sexy, seems like someone's finger slipped when they put that one in the "sexy" category.
posted by subdee at 4:55 AM on October 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by subdee at 4:55 AM on October 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
Actually the cowgirl costume is pretty bad too, really weird cutouts on that one where it just looks like the manufacturers were trying to save money on fabric.
The other ones follow classic and forgiving sexy principles of like short bottoms and high socks with a garter belt and low-cut v necklines, or showing off your abs. I like the detective costume a lot.
posted by subdee at 5:00 AM on October 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
The other ones follow classic and forgiving sexy principles of like short bottoms and high socks with a garter belt and low-cut v necklines, or showing off your abs. I like the detective costume a lot.
posted by subdee at 5:00 AM on October 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
The “Sexy Pope” was particularly baffling.
This might explain it
posted by chrisulonic at 5:00 AM on October 16, 2022 [4 favorites]
This might explain it
posted by chrisulonic at 5:00 AM on October 16, 2022 [4 favorites]
The “Sexy Pope” was particularly baffling.
If it had a "Sexy Swiss Guard" pair it'd make more sense.
posted by pompomtom at 5:09 AM on October 16, 2022 [11 favorites]
If it had a "Sexy Swiss Guard" pair it'd make more sense.
posted by pompomtom at 5:09 AM on October 16, 2022 [11 favorites]
Has anyone seen one of these "sexy" costumes in the wild? Like at a party, or even at a store? I've only ever seen them in listicles like this one.
posted by bleep at 5:10 AM on October 16, 2022 [8 favorites]
posted by bleep at 5:10 AM on October 16, 2022 [8 favorites]
I wonder if there’s a women’s pope costume.
posted by MtDewd at 5:12 AM on October 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by MtDewd at 5:12 AM on October 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
I am really curious what the actual product looks like. So many of these are just so tight, and fit so perfectly well... Did they get models who just happened to have the exact shape to make the outfit work? Or are these tailored to the model, this having little actual resemblance to what you'd end up getting?
Take the Rosie the Riveter one. Look at her arms. Look at how perfectly skin tight the sleeves are. I don't believe it
posted by meese at 6:18 AM on October 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
Take the Rosie the Riveter one. Look at her arms. Look at how perfectly skin tight the sleeves are. I don't believe it
posted by meese at 6:18 AM on October 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
A lot of modelling photo-shoots use things similar to bulldog clips at the back to make clothes form fitting.
It's why for very cheap fast fashion, you often see front and back shots of clothes but rarely side or profile shots.
Nobody has time to pin clothes inside or in a way that's generally not obvious, clipping / clamping clothes then some light photo editing is much easier and quicker.
posted by Faintdreams at 6:25 AM on October 16, 2022 [18 favorites]
It's why for very cheap fast fashion, you often see front and back shots of clothes but rarely side or profile shots.
Nobody has time to pin clothes inside or in a way that's generally not obvious, clipping / clamping clothes then some light photo editing is much easier and quicker.
posted by Faintdreams at 6:25 AM on October 16, 2022 [18 favorites]
Just leave the holiday for the children....Why
do we adults have to ruin everything?
posted by Czjewel at 7:03 AM on October 16, 2022 [1 favorite]
do we adults have to ruin everything?
posted by Czjewel at 7:03 AM on October 16, 2022 [1 favorite]
The “Sexy Pope” was particularly baffling.
This might explain it
98% "The Young Pope"
2% "The Borgias"
posted by thivaia at 7:10 AM on October 16, 2022 [5 favorites]
This might explain it
98% "The Young Pope"
2% "The Borgias"
posted by thivaia at 7:10 AM on October 16, 2022 [5 favorites]
really weird cutouts on that one where it just looks like the manufacturers were trying to save money on fabric.
I periodically wonder how many "sexy" costumes are a product of whatever the clothing factory's equivalent of the sausage line at the meat packing factory is, just a way to use up all these scraps we don't want to waste. Somebody at some point had a conversation that amounted to:
"This is stupid nobody will wear this."
"They will if we say it's for sexy halloween."
".... fine, call marketing."
posted by mhoye at 7:15 AM on October 16, 2022 [5 favorites]
I periodically wonder how many "sexy" costumes are a product of whatever the clothing factory's equivalent of the sausage line at the meat packing factory is, just a way to use up all these scraps we don't want to waste. Somebody at some point had a conversation that amounted to:
"This is stupid nobody will wear this."
"They will if we say it's for sexy halloween."
".... fine, call marketing."
posted by mhoye at 7:15 AM on October 16, 2022 [5 favorites]
Has anyone seen one of these "sexy" costumes in the wild? Like at a party, or even at a store? I've only ever seen them in listicles like this one.
Think you'd have to be invited to the right kind of party to see these, it's not like adults are wearing them to trick or treat.
posted by subdee at 7:40 AM on October 16, 2022 [6 favorites]
Think you'd have to be invited to the right kind of party to see these, it's not like adults are wearing them to trick or treat.
posted by subdee at 7:40 AM on October 16, 2022 [6 favorites]
Maybe if you were in the right part of NYC or San Francisco you might see one late at night.
posted by subdee at 7:41 AM on October 16, 2022
posted by subdee at 7:41 AM on October 16, 2022
"Has anyone seen one of these "sexy" costumes in the wild? Like at a party, or even at a store? I've only ever seen them in listicles like this one."
You've never been to a college Halloween party (especially of the Greek variety)? They are thick on the ground. Lot's of barely dressed guys, too.
posted by oddman at 7:51 AM on October 16, 2022 [9 favorites]
You've never been to a college Halloween party (especially of the Greek variety)? They are thick on the ground. Lot's of barely dressed guys, too.
posted by oddman at 7:51 AM on October 16, 2022 [9 favorites]
The scout costume and Rosie the Riveter ones are the ones that would trigger my girl shouting meme reflex, for exactly the reasons in the list (yuck, and Rosie is already sexy, respectively).
But yeah, fast fashion halloween costumes for adults are weird in general - not in a sneering at adult Halloween way, but as an adult, isn't the whole point flexing your creative muscles? Even in college, "sexy" Halloween costumes were generally appealing for ease - just throw some cat ears on over your preferred party dress and call it good. Buying a premade one is bizarre to me, but clearly there are market forces beyond my ken.
posted by the primroses were over at 8:16 AM on October 16, 2022 [3 favorites]
But yeah, fast fashion halloween costumes for adults are weird in general - not in a sneering at adult Halloween way, but as an adult, isn't the whole point flexing your creative muscles? Even in college, "sexy" Halloween costumes were generally appealing for ease - just throw some cat ears on over your preferred party dress and call it good. Buying a premade one is bizarre to me, but clearly there are market forces beyond my ken.
posted by the primroses were over at 8:16 AM on October 16, 2022 [3 favorites]
Maybe if you were in the right part of NYC or San Francisco you might see one late at night.
Go for a walk, get yourself a coffee around 6:00 AM November 1st. Best people-watching of the year.
posted by mhoye at 8:18 AM on October 16, 2022 [14 favorites]
Go for a walk, get yourself a coffee around 6:00 AM November 1st. Best people-watching of the year.
posted by mhoye at 8:18 AM on October 16, 2022 [14 favorites]
Has anyone seen one of these "sexy" costumes in the wild? Like at a party, or even at a store? I've only ever seen them in listicles like this one.
Speaking as someone who worked at a large university, I’ve seen so many of these costumes they stopped being even mildly surprising years ago. I remember walking past one scantily-clad Statue of Liberty chatting to a half-naked Sailor Moon in a campus-adjacent neighborhood and overhearing, “I was going to try something creative this year, but it’s so much easier to just be a ‘slutty something .’”
I actually kind of like the smoking jacket.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 8:50 AM on October 16, 2022 [15 favorites]
Speaking as someone who worked at a large university, I’ve seen so many of these costumes they stopped being even mildly surprising years ago. I remember walking past one scantily-clad Statue of Liberty chatting to a half-naked Sailor Moon in a campus-adjacent neighborhood and overhearing, “I was going to try something creative this year, but it’s so much easier to just be a ‘slutty something .’”
I actually kind of like the smoking jacket.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 8:50 AM on October 16, 2022 [15 favorites]
Still no Sexy Teddy Roosevelt
posted by scruss at 8:59 AM on October 16, 2022 [12 favorites]
posted by scruss at 8:59 AM on October 16, 2022 [12 favorites]
Yeah, these costumes are everywhere on college campuses. I absolutely love the "make something horrifying sexy in order to make people uncomfortable angle" (applesurf's link is the best example of this I've ever seen) as well as the "be as unsexy as you can possibly be" angle.
Semi-related story:
As a college freshman, I got asked out by a senior guy for Halloween Night.
Halloween night, we meet up for our "date." He was wearing a fitted suit that brought out the blue in his eyes. No costume, no attempt at even coming up with a concept, just "guy in a suit."
I showed up as a "Bleeding Heart Liberal." My costume consisted of: a large white pit-stained t-shirt belonging to one of my guy friends, to which I had printed and taped a bunch of NYT headlines and "liberal" sayings, and which I had then smeared with ketchup (the stores were all out of fake blood by the time I came up with this costume idea at 6 PM on Halloween night).
The look of utter disgust, confusion, and revulsion on this guy's face was priceless.
We went to one party together where he promptly ditched me to go hit on the girls in sexy costumes. I later learned this guy admitted to signing up for Women's Studies classes so he could get laid (eye roll & vomit emoji). After about 10 minutes, I ditched him and the party altogether to go hang out with my friends, get stoned, and laugh at everyone in their sexy costumes.
In retrospect, it was probably the best worst date of my life.
posted by sleepingwithcats at 9:18 AM on October 16, 2022 [15 favorites]
Semi-related story:
As a college freshman, I got asked out by a senior guy for Halloween Night.
Halloween night, we meet up for our "date." He was wearing a fitted suit that brought out the blue in his eyes. No costume, no attempt at even coming up with a concept, just "guy in a suit."
I showed up as a "Bleeding Heart Liberal." My costume consisted of: a large white pit-stained t-shirt belonging to one of my guy friends, to which I had printed and taped a bunch of NYT headlines and "liberal" sayings, and which I had then smeared with ketchup (the stores were all out of fake blood by the time I came up with this costume idea at 6 PM on Halloween night).
The look of utter disgust, confusion, and revulsion on this guy's face was priceless.
We went to one party together where he promptly ditched me to go hit on the girls in sexy costumes. I later learned this guy admitted to signing up for Women's Studies classes so he could get laid (eye roll & vomit emoji). After about 10 minutes, I ditched him and the party altogether to go hang out with my friends, get stoned, and laugh at everyone in their sexy costumes.
In retrospect, it was probably the best worst date of my life.
posted by sleepingwithcats at 9:18 AM on October 16, 2022 [15 favorites]
Go for a walk, get yourself a coffee around 6:00 AM November 1st. Best people-watching of the year.
Now I need to see "Coming home from a night at the love hotel after a costume party" in this year's Mundane Halloween contest.
posted by May Kasahara at 9:21 AM on October 16, 2022 [4 favorites]
Now I need to see "Coming home from a night at the love hotel after a costume party" in this year's Mundane Halloween contest.
posted by May Kasahara at 9:21 AM on October 16, 2022 [4 favorites]
31 comments in and no mention of the ultimate sexy costume compendium EVAR????
Girls's Costume Warehouse
also I think I need to make a Sexy Possum costume...
posted by supermedusa at 9:51 AM on October 16, 2022 [9 favorites]
Girls's Costume Warehouse
also I think I need to make a Sexy Possum costume...
posted by supermedusa at 9:51 AM on October 16, 2022 [9 favorites]
sexy Ben Franklin costume is just a Ben Franklin costume
posted by NoThisIsPatrick at 10:15 AM on October 16, 2022 [4 favorites]
posted by NoThisIsPatrick at 10:15 AM on October 16, 2022 [4 favorites]
Still no Sexy Teddy Roosevelt
Bully!
posted by kirkaracha at 10:18 AM on October 16, 2022 [1 favorite]
Bully!
posted by kirkaracha at 10:18 AM on October 16, 2022 [1 favorite]
"Sexy White Bunny Costume for Men"
My college roommate tried this ages ago, but he skipped the "sexy" part, he was more "Ralphy on Christmas morning." He did a pretty good job making it, but then his dog saw him.
A fiercely loyal 100 pound malamute who was usually very chill, he went utterly insane and attacked the bunny that ate his owner. It took two people to hold him back until Ray took off the bunny suit. We released the dog, he went over and sniffed Ray to make sure he was OK, then grabbed the suit and ripped it to shreds.
Ray went to the party as "Drunken Jock," football jersey and boxer shorts.
posted by Marky at 11:13 AM on October 16, 2022 [29 favorites]
My college roommate tried this ages ago, but he skipped the "sexy" part, he was more "Ralphy on Christmas morning." He did a pretty good job making it, but then his dog saw him.
A fiercely loyal 100 pound malamute who was usually very chill, he went utterly insane and attacked the bunny that ate his owner. It took two people to hold him back until Ray took off the bunny suit. We released the dog, he went over and sniffed Ray to make sure he was OK, then grabbed the suit and ripped it to shreds.
Ray went to the party as "Drunken Jock," football jersey and boxer shorts.
posted by Marky at 11:13 AM on October 16, 2022 [29 favorites]
You will only pry my sexy Shub-Niggurath costume off me with your cold, dead hands.
posted by kyrademon at 5:55 AM on October 16 [10 favorites −] [!]
Goth sexting.
posted by Horkus at 11:25 AM on October 16, 2022 [6 favorites]
posted by kyrademon at 5:55 AM on October 16 [10 favorites −] [!]
Goth sexting.
posted by Horkus at 11:25 AM on October 16, 2022 [6 favorites]
Yeah, the scout costume and Rosie the Riveter costume are the only ones I find revolting - especially the scout costume - similar to this classic Sexy PhD Grad getup. Whereas the sexy pencil is pretty delightful. It's not my thing, but I've always thought it would be funny to really dig into literalism and go as a "Sexy Pole Dancer" or "Sexy Model" etc.
posted by coffeecat at 11:43 AM on October 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by coffeecat at 11:43 AM on October 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
"and frog"
posted by Harvey Kilobit at 11:57 AM on October 16, 2022 [7 favorites]
posted by Harvey Kilobit at 11:57 AM on October 16, 2022 [7 favorites]
I also loved sexy pencil, nothing like subverting a wooden phallic object into voluptuous femininity
posted by daisystomper at 12:13 PM on October 16, 2022 [6 favorites]
posted by daisystomper at 12:13 PM on October 16, 2022 [6 favorites]
Those costumes all seem to have a late 40's/WW2 pin-up aesthetic. I wonder how that happened.
It's appropriate for inviting the dead to come back and hang around for the evening, I suppose.
posted by jamjam at 12:28 PM on October 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
It's appropriate for inviting the dead to come back and hang around for the evening, I suppose.
posted by jamjam at 12:28 PM on October 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
Has anyone seen one of these "sexy" costumes in the wild?
A roommate I used to have was working in a sex shop that had a huge clothing section, and I was hanging out at a halloween party with a bunch of the girls that worked there and got a store discount. I don't remember what costume I had on, but I was surrounded by, like, 3 sexy nurses, a sexy nun, and a bowl of petunias. Good times!
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 12:48 PM on October 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
A roommate I used to have was working in a sex shop that had a huge clothing section, and I was hanging out at a halloween party with a bunch of the girls that worked there and got a store discount. I don't remember what costume I had on, but I was surrounded by, like, 3 sexy nurses, a sexy nun, and a bowl of petunias. Good times!
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 12:48 PM on October 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
Gotta get together with my 45 closest lady friends and making a sexy, sexy Hall of Presidents. I’m calling dibs on Sexy Martin van Buren. Old Kinderhooker!
posted by The Underpants Monster at 12:50 PM on October 16, 2022 [7 favorites]
posted by The Underpants Monster at 12:50 PM on October 16, 2022 [7 favorites]
Sexy Pencil is actually pretty awesome.
posted by haptic_avenger at 12:56 PM on October 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by haptic_avenger at 12:56 PM on October 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
Has anyone seen one of these "sexy" costumes in the wild?
People kept asking if I was a “sexy” tree at the Halloween party, but I was actually a naughty pine.
posted by ActingTheGoat at 1:03 PM on October 16, 2022 [16 favorites]
People kept asking if I was a “sexy” tree at the Halloween party, but I was actually a naughty pine.
posted by ActingTheGoat at 1:03 PM on October 16, 2022 [16 favorites]
The 44 sexiest presidents: A complete ranking
THOSE MUTTONCHOPS, THOUGH!
posted by kirkaracha at 1:37 PM on October 16, 2022 [1 favorite]
THOSE MUTTONCHOPS, THOUGH!
posted by kirkaracha at 1:37 PM on October 16, 2022 [1 favorite]
I was thinking about the survival of garter suspenders as a symbol when the inelastic material that required them is gone, jamjam. If everything at the waist is Spandex then the suspenders can pull your dress down as easily as pull your hose up. (Good times?)
The pencil should have something written on it, but "No. 2" isn’t it.
posted by clew at 1:41 PM on October 16, 2022 [3 favorites]
The pencil should have something written on it, but "No. 2" isn’t it.
posted by clew at 1:41 PM on October 16, 2022 [3 favorites]
Interesting, clew.
I also loved sexy pencil, nothing like subverting a wooden phallic object into voluptuous femininity
That sexy pencil is a neoFreudian wet dream:
posted by jamjam at 1:59 PM on October 16, 2022
I also loved sexy pencil, nothing like subverting a wooden phallic object into voluptuous femininity
That sexy pencil is a neoFreudian wet dream:
The woman is a penis. "The symbolic equation, Girl = Phallus." Aphrodite, the personification of femininity, is just a penis, a penis cut off and tossed into the sea; the penis which Father Sky lost in intercourse with Mother Earth.From P. 62 of Norman O Brown's Love's Body.
posted by jamjam at 1:59 PM on October 16, 2022
Girl Scout, "Daddy" Cheerleader, and Naked Burnt Flesh Freddy Krueger are all pretty bad. That having been said, the best self-made costume that I ever had was my Punk Skouts of Amerika uniform, created (mostly by ripping) from my old scout uniform, complete with merit badges seemingly pinned directly to my arms, complete with dabs of fake blood.
posted by Halloween Jack at 2:30 PM on October 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by Halloween Jack at 2:30 PM on October 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
How are we talking about Stupid Sexy Costumes without mentioning Yandy? They have several fantastic options this year:
Sexy UPS Driver
Sexy Britney Spears in the "Slave For You" video(?!)
Sexy Dexter's Laboratory, a very deep cut,
and, most notably,
Sexy Predator warrior.
posted by Vervain at 2:32 PM on October 16, 2022 [1 favorite]
Sexy UPS Driver
Sexy Britney Spears in the "Slave For You" video(?!)
Sexy Dexter's Laboratory, a very deep cut,
and, most notably,
Sexy Predator warrior.
posted by Vervain at 2:32 PM on October 16, 2022 [1 favorite]
The “Sexy Pope” was particularly baffling.
Eh, religious and ecclesiastical fetishes are definitely a thing and have been a thing for a long time. Nuns, priests, monks and related religious costumes have been a staple Halloween costume for as long as I can personally remember.
There's also a long history of it as a fetish in the kink scenes both straight and queer.
Anyway, it's in the general uniform cosplay part of the diagram of kinks where uniforms, authority figures and innocence/corruptible taboos hang out.
Has anyone seen one of these "sexy" costumes in the wild? Like at a party, or even at a store? I've only ever seen them in listicles like this one.
At a store? Yes. Often at those pop up stores like Spirit Halloween, but I've even seen them in the pop up shops they do in thrift stores these days.
In the wild at a party? Never. Well, at least I've never seen someone wear one of these super cheap and bad taste costumes as is straight out of the bag. I have seen them used as a source for props or accessories to add to a more elaborate or modified costume.
And I have been to sexy Halloween parties where people did go for elaborate costume play but it was generally smarter/weirder than this or just a reason to do fetish-y cosplay of varying kinds.
But that is probably anecdotal and a self-selecting bias due to the people I hang out with. I mean I've also never seen a lot of the things you can find at a party supply store, like party decorations and themed plasticware and that kind of thing for a major sports event because you're throwing a superb owl party, and I know that's something that people do.
I have never seen an adult of at least voting or drinking age wear one of these super cheap, weird "sexy whatever" premade costumes and I've wondered who is even buying all of this stuff and why there seems to be so much of it.
People generally being the weirdo perverts that they really are I would imagine that a lot of them get bought for use outside of Halloween and get used in privacy year round. There is also probably some number of them that get bought by dancers and/or sex workers for fetish play, because why not? It's cheap and easy, and good costuming gets really expensive.
To be honest most of these aren't total nightmares or particularly unusual fetishes or tropes, they're just really tacky and cheap looking.
If I put aside the problematic parts as well as any kink shaming - most of the costumes are at heart rather common and well known uniform or profession fetishes with weird angles and varying amounts of bad taste and awful execution. We're just missing a few other common tropes, like sexy fireman, nurse/doctor, construction worker, witch/wizard, and maybe secretary. And, yeah, the daddy cheerleader costume is problematic as fuck but the cheerleader trope is super common.
The only real WTF for me on this year's list is the sexy pencil. I mean it's hilarious but, uhm, what? Why?
This obviously opens the disturbing door to many common and mundane objects why not sexy paperclip? Sexy stapler? Sexy dish towel, sexy toothbrush, sexy bluetooth speaker, sexy shoelaces, sexy toilet brush, sexy empty milk carton? Sexy toaster, coffee maker, French press, waffle iron or sauce pan? Sexy BBQ and companion sexy propane tank. Sexy one time use plastic water bottle. Sexy cigarette butt. Sexy flip phone. Sexy loofah. Sexy socks and sandals. Sexy sushi roll. Sexy eggplant. Sexy eggplant emoji? Sexy poop emoji!?
Help i need an adult because I can't stop but I'm growing weary of typing the word "sexy" and thinking about random household objects at this point because because there's endless amounts of madness and nonsense down this particular rabbit hole and it's freaking me out.
posted by loquacious at 2:36 PM on October 16, 2022 [3 favorites]
Eh, religious and ecclesiastical fetishes are definitely a thing and have been a thing for a long time. Nuns, priests, monks and related religious costumes have been a staple Halloween costume for as long as I can personally remember.
There's also a long history of it as a fetish in the kink scenes both straight and queer.
Anyway, it's in the general uniform cosplay part of the diagram of kinks where uniforms, authority figures and innocence/corruptible taboos hang out.
Has anyone seen one of these "sexy" costumes in the wild? Like at a party, or even at a store? I've only ever seen them in listicles like this one.
At a store? Yes. Often at those pop up stores like Spirit Halloween, but I've even seen them in the pop up shops they do in thrift stores these days.
In the wild at a party? Never. Well, at least I've never seen someone wear one of these super cheap and bad taste costumes as is straight out of the bag. I have seen them used as a source for props or accessories to add to a more elaborate or modified costume.
And I have been to sexy Halloween parties where people did go for elaborate costume play but it was generally smarter/weirder than this or just a reason to do fetish-y cosplay of varying kinds.
But that is probably anecdotal and a self-selecting bias due to the people I hang out with. I mean I've also never seen a lot of the things you can find at a party supply store, like party decorations and themed plasticware and that kind of thing for a major sports event because you're throwing a superb owl party, and I know that's something that people do.
I have never seen an adult of at least voting or drinking age wear one of these super cheap, weird "sexy whatever" premade costumes and I've wondered who is even buying all of this stuff and why there seems to be so much of it.
People generally being the weirdo perverts that they really are I would imagine that a lot of them get bought for use outside of Halloween and get used in privacy year round. There is also probably some number of them that get bought by dancers and/or sex workers for fetish play, because why not? It's cheap and easy, and good costuming gets really expensive.
To be honest most of these aren't total nightmares or particularly unusual fetishes or tropes, they're just really tacky and cheap looking.
If I put aside the problematic parts as well as any kink shaming - most of the costumes are at heart rather common and well known uniform or profession fetishes with weird angles and varying amounts of bad taste and awful execution. We're just missing a few other common tropes, like sexy fireman, nurse/doctor, construction worker, witch/wizard, and maybe secretary. And, yeah, the daddy cheerleader costume is problematic as fuck but the cheerleader trope is super common.
The only real WTF for me on this year's list is the sexy pencil. I mean it's hilarious but, uhm, what? Why?
This obviously opens the disturbing door to many common and mundane objects why not sexy paperclip? Sexy stapler? Sexy dish towel, sexy toothbrush, sexy bluetooth speaker, sexy shoelaces, sexy toilet brush, sexy empty milk carton? Sexy toaster, coffee maker, French press, waffle iron or sauce pan? Sexy BBQ and companion sexy propane tank. Sexy one time use plastic water bottle. Sexy cigarette butt. Sexy flip phone. Sexy loofah. Sexy socks and sandals. Sexy sushi roll. Sexy eggplant. Sexy eggplant emoji? Sexy poop emoji!?
Help i need an adult because I can't stop but I'm growing weary of typing the word "sexy" and thinking about random household objects at this point because because there's endless amounts of madness and nonsense down this particular rabbit hole and it's freaking me out.
posted by loquacious at 2:36 PM on October 16, 2022 [3 favorites]
The “Sexy Pope” was particularly baffling.
It’s supposed to be part of an ensemble costume. They include one pope and three sexy nun costumes in their Thots and Prayers bundle.
posted by ActingTheGoat at 3:11 PM on October 16, 2022 [6 favorites]
It’s supposed to be part of an ensemble costume. They include one pope and three sexy nun costumes in their Thots and Prayers bundle.
posted by ActingTheGoat at 3:11 PM on October 16, 2022 [6 favorites]
I might have to add Superb Owl Party to my list of anti-holidays I observe when I get sick of the hype surrounding mainstream holidays.
posted by Comet Bug at 3:16 PM on October 16, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by Comet Bug at 3:16 PM on October 16, 2022 [1 favorite]
loquacious: I feel like I've seen about 50% of those things you've listed in previous articles on this topic, including sexy sushi and sexy cigarette.
posted by Horkus at 3:36 PM on October 16, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by Horkus at 3:36 PM on October 16, 2022 [1 favorite]
I just googled and sexy poop emoji is indeed a real costume that can be bought.
posted by Faintdreams at 3:37 PM on October 16, 2022 [5 favorites]
posted by Faintdreams at 3:37 PM on October 16, 2022 [5 favorites]
You may jest, but I'll bet dollars to doughnuts the sexy pencil is indeed part of a whole range of sexy office supplies. I saw a whole set of sexy crayons going into a bar once.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 3:56 PM on October 16, 2022 [9 favorites]
posted by The Underpants Monster at 3:56 PM on October 16, 2022 [9 favorites]
I was surrounded by, like, 3 sexy nurses, a sexy nun, and a bowl of petunias.
Curiously enough, the only thing that went through the mind of the bowl of petunias was “Oh no, not again.”
posted by Horace Rumpole at 4:07 PM on October 16, 2022 [34 favorites]
Curiously enough, the only thing that went through the mind of the bowl of petunias was “Oh no, not again.”
posted by Horace Rumpole at 4:07 PM on October 16, 2022 [34 favorites]
Obligatory Jenny Nicholson: The Halloween Costumes Nobody Wanted.
Also: these cheap disposable costumes are an environmental disaster: "An estimated 2,000 tonnes of plastic waste – equivalent to 83m bottles – will be generated from throwaway Halloween clothing sold by leading retailers in the UK this year research suggests."
Maybe the Mean Girls approach of lingerie and some animal ears isn't that bad?
posted by davidwitteveen at 4:24 PM on October 16, 2022 [6 favorites]
Also: these cheap disposable costumes are an environmental disaster: "An estimated 2,000 tonnes of plastic waste – equivalent to 83m bottles – will be generated from throwaway Halloween clothing sold by leading retailers in the UK this year research suggests."
Maybe the Mean Girls approach of lingerie and some animal ears isn't that bad?
posted by davidwitteveen at 4:24 PM on October 16, 2022 [6 favorites]
I'm agreeing with the pencil one being actually pretty clever. I like that. Except the skirt should really be an ankle or calf-length pencil skirt (obviously). You don't need a miniskirt to be "sexy".
posted by ctmf at 4:34 PM on October 16, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by ctmf at 4:34 PM on October 16, 2022 [1 favorite]
Eh, religious and ecclesiastical fetishes are definitely a thing and have been a thing for a long time. Nuns, priests, monks and related religious costumes have been a staple Halloween costume for as long as I can personally remember.
Yeah, yeah, I am well aware of ecclesiastical fetishes, and could probably tell you more than you want to hear about 18th C anticlerical pornography. The problem is that it’s not sexy/trashy enough. Where is the ass cutout? The exposed abdomen? If you’re going to give me vanilla Pope, why call it sexy? Make an effort, people!
posted by GenjiandProust at 4:40 PM on October 16, 2022 [6 favorites]
Yeah, yeah, I am well aware of ecclesiastical fetishes, and could probably tell you more than you want to hear about 18th C anticlerical pornography. The problem is that it’s not sexy/trashy enough. Where is the ass cutout? The exposed abdomen? If you’re going to give me vanilla Pope, why call it sexy? Make an effort, people!
posted by GenjiandProust at 4:40 PM on October 16, 2022 [6 favorites]
Right; if you're into ecclesiastical kink, just calling it a "Pope Costume" is gonna do it for you. If you're calling it "Sexy Pope," it has to have that certain extra bit of oomph. It has to advertise the sexiness to the aces in the back pew.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 4:50 PM on October 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by The Underpants Monster at 4:50 PM on October 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
Some of these are giving me flashbacks to the eBay bookseller who used to put "Sexy" into all of their product listings, leading to headings like "Sexy! Boswell's Life of Johnson."
posted by thomas j wise at 4:59 PM on October 16, 2022 [9 favorites]
posted by thomas j wise at 4:59 PM on October 16, 2022 [9 favorites]
Eons ago, during his RNC chairman days, I became convinced that Sexy Reince Priebus was the funniest possible "sexy" costume. I got to realize that dream for Halloween 2017 as part of a Sexy Fired White House Staffers group costume. Our Sexy Spicer couldn't make it to the party so it ended up just me (tie and blazer over bustier, etc) and Sexy Steve Bannon (two layered woven shirts unbuttoned to the navel, of course). Good times.
posted by doift at 5:02 PM on October 16, 2022 [11 favorites]
posted by doift at 5:02 PM on October 16, 2022 [11 favorites]
Some of these are giving me flashbacks to the eBay bookseller who used to put "Sexy" into all of their product listings, leading to headings like "Sexy! Boswell's Life of Johnson."
To be fair, Horace Rumpole once showed off his magnificent Johnson to a group of curious MeFites, and our lives were changed forever! Educational and sexy!
posted by GenjiandProust at 5:18 PM on October 16, 2022 [3 favorites]
To be fair, Horace Rumpole once showed off his magnificent Johnson to a group of curious MeFites, and our lives were changed forever! Educational and sexy!
posted by GenjiandProust at 5:18 PM on October 16, 2022 [3 favorites]
loquacious: I feel like I've seen about 50% of those things you've listed in previous articles on this topic, including sexy sushi and sexy cigarette.
...
I just googled and sexy poop emoji is indeed a real costume that can be bought.
chut up!!! I'm out of here.
*pulls ejection seat handles, bails out on rockets and parachutes.*
posted by loquacious at 6:31 PM on October 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
...
I just googled and sexy poop emoji is indeed a real costume that can be bought.
chut up!!! I'm out of here.
*pulls ejection seat handles, bails out on rockets and parachutes.*
posted by loquacious at 6:31 PM on October 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
This obviously opens the disturbing door to many common and mundane objects why not sexy paperclip?
This very meta Clippy costume speaks to this question.
posted by Dip Flash at 6:32 PM on October 16, 2022 [6 favorites]
This very meta Clippy costume speaks to this question.
posted by Dip Flash at 6:32 PM on October 16, 2022 [6 favorites]
Halloween Parties for Undergrads/Community College students were occasions for licentiousness, as I vaguely recall from my youth. Also sometimes the first opportunity for some youths to experiment with identity...
posted by ovvl at 6:42 PM on October 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by ovvl at 6:42 PM on October 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
Yep, university kids. In my student worker days I had a field service type of job skateboarding across campus to random offices. On Halloween I came dressed up as Dr. Frank-N-Furter. Had friends do my makeup and everything, had flats and heels for the skateboarding part. There were calls, I won the costume contest. That day was never forgotten even two decades later.
Otherwise, I'm with loquacious, right parties, mostly kink, probably worn more often than just once a year.
Rosie the Riveter just needs some mouse ears and makeup to be Sexy Gadget Hackwrench.
Otherwise, much better stuff is found in cosplay porn. It's actually quite amusing.
posted by zengargoyle at 7:14 PM on October 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
Otherwise, I'm with loquacious, right parties, mostly kink, probably worn more often than just once a year.
Rosie the Riveter just needs some mouse ears and makeup to be Sexy Gadget Hackwrench.
Otherwise, much better stuff is found in cosplay porn. It's actually quite amusing.
posted by zengargoyle at 7:14 PM on October 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
I do miss Halloween on campus. I had two friends I'd met in the local music/theater scene, and it turned out we all worked for different branches of the same university. We started entering the costume contest at the staff Halloween party every year. In addition to our group-themed costumes (we made them ourselves, because we'd all done theater costuming) we'd sing a relevant song in three-part harmony as we got onstage to be judged. We never failed to take first place in one category or another. (Of course, the "sexy something" costumes were mostly worn by students, so we never had to compete against them. Three minicassocked sexy Popes belting out smutty Gregorian chants probably would have kicked our asses.)
posted by The Underpants Monster at 7:53 PM on October 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by The Underpants Monster at 7:53 PM on October 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
"Sexy! Boswell's Life of Johnson."
AND I just found my costume.
posted by thivaia at 9:10 PM on October 16, 2022 [8 favorites]
AND I just found my costume.
posted by thivaia at 9:10 PM on October 16, 2022 [8 favorites]
Three minicassocked sexy Popes belting out smutty Gregorian chants
Why is this not already a group, and would it call itself the Papal Schism or the Vatican Standoff?
posted by clew at 9:31 PM on October 16, 2022 [4 favorites]
Why is this not already a group, and would it call itself the Papal Schism or the Vatican Standoff?
posted by clew at 9:31 PM on October 16, 2022 [4 favorites]
Here in Australia these sorts of Sexy Thing costumes are almost exclusively sold to strippers, year round. That's why each brand will have a dozen variations of each of the popular ones, like Sexy Nurses. That way you can have a bunch of Sexy Nurses in your nightclub, all who are unique. It's also why so many of them have otherwise inexplicable fingerless gloves and weird leg things - each extra item to strip off makes the performance last longer. I've seen a lot of the weirder ones in the wild, if a club runs a costume night they can't all be Sexy Nurse or Sexy Cop, you can get a bit of competition going to see who has the most esoteric costume. So that's a thing, I guess.
posted by Jilder at 1:44 AM on October 17, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by Jilder at 1:44 AM on October 17, 2022 [3 favorites]
The Broadway musical of Mean Girls has a whole song about sexy costumes with a wide range of examples.
posted by earth by april at 7:15 AM on October 17, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by earth by april at 7:15 AM on October 17, 2022 [1 favorite]
I saw a whole set of sexy crayons going into a bar once.
Their hair was perfect.
posted by kirkaracha at 7:50 AM on October 17, 2022 [9 favorites]
Their hair was perfect.
posted by kirkaracha at 7:50 AM on October 17, 2022 [9 favorites]
I'm embarrassed to say that my biggest complaint is - why does Sexy Sherlock Holmes have a police badge? Does the designer have no familiarity with the source material?
posted by Ben Trismegistus at 7:55 AM on October 17, 2022 [8 favorites]
posted by Ben Trismegistus at 7:55 AM on October 17, 2022 [8 favorites]
I take particular exception to the sexy Rosie the riveter costume, because it would be so easy to do a (sexy or non-sexy) Rosie costume yourself. dungarees, check shirt, bandana and wrench. I have all of these here now.
posted by Fuchsoid at 8:26 AM on October 17, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by Fuchsoid at 8:26 AM on October 17, 2022 [1 favorite]
why does Sexy Sherlock Holmes have a police badge?
Maybe in the Sexy Literary Characters universe, as a prequel, before the cocaine addiction and hanging out with sexy Afghan War Veteran Doctor Miss Watson, Sexy Miss Holmes was a regular beat cop who became disgusted with the ineptitude of Sexy Scotland Yard and resigned in disgust, throwing that sexy badge down on Sexy Captain's desk and sexily storming out, determined to bring real justice the only way they know how. Sexy justice.
posted by AzraelBrown at 8:29 AM on October 17, 2022 [14 favorites]
Maybe in the Sexy Literary Characters universe, as a prequel, before the cocaine addiction and hanging out with sexy Afghan War Veteran Doctor Miss Watson, Sexy Miss Holmes was a regular beat cop who became disgusted with the ineptitude of Sexy Scotland Yard and resigned in disgust, throwing that sexy badge down on Sexy Captain's desk and sexily storming out, determined to bring real justice the only way they know how. Sexy justice.
posted by AzraelBrown at 8:29 AM on October 17, 2022 [14 favorites]
I look forward to the League of Extraordinarily Sexy Gentlepersons.
posted by Halloween Jack at 9:25 AM on October 17, 2022 [7 favorites]
posted by Halloween Jack at 9:25 AM on October 17, 2022 [7 favorites]
Police Captain: Sexy officer Holmes, you’re a loose cannon!
Sexy Holmes: But I get things done! Sexy things!
Police Captain: That’s part of the problem; turn in you badge and… that sexy gun thing!
Sexy Holmes: You will meet me next as a Consulting Sextective!
posted by GenjiandProust at 9:50 AM on October 17, 2022 [7 favorites]
Sexy Holmes: But I get things done! Sexy things!
Police Captain: That’s part of the problem; turn in you badge and… that sexy gun thing!
Sexy Holmes: You will meet me next as a Consulting Sextective!
posted by GenjiandProust at 9:50 AM on October 17, 2022 [7 favorites]
Stop it! You guys are making me imagine a world where sexy mustard is a legitimate product, and the 16the Sexpresident was Baberaham Lincoln (weird a sexy world gets a female president before ours!).
And it has frogs.
posted by The_Vegetables at 10:27 AM on October 17, 2022 [7 favorites]
And it has frogs.
posted by The_Vegetables at 10:27 AM on October 17, 2022 [7 favorites]
I'm not sure how Sexy sliding titanium "T"-driver fits into this taxonomy.
posted by rmd1023 at 11:24 AM on October 17, 2022
posted by rmd1023 at 11:24 AM on October 17, 2022
Somewhere, Sexy Inspector Lestrade is trying to arrest Sexy Professor Moriarty without their badge.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 12:18 PM on October 17, 2022 [5 favorites]
posted by The Underpants Monster at 12:18 PM on October 17, 2022 [5 favorites]
Game over.
Obviously a repurposed Sexy Angus Young costume.
posted by kirkaracha at 12:28 PM on October 17, 2022 [1 favorite]
Obviously a repurposed Sexy Angus Young costume.
posted by kirkaracha at 12:28 PM on October 17, 2022 [1 favorite]
why does Sexy Sherlock Holmes have a police badge?
“If anything happened in this county, I have the right to work with the police getting things done," he said. "People don’t know that I’ve been working with law enforcement for years,” Holmes said.
“But they can call me whenever they want me, and I have the authority to do things for them, to work with them on a thing,” Holmes continued.
posted by kirkaracha at 12:47 PM on October 17, 2022 [3 favorites]
“If anything happened in this county, I have the right to work with the police getting things done," he said. "People don’t know that I’ve been working with law enforcement for years,” Holmes said.
“But they can call me whenever they want me, and I have the authority to do things for them, to work with them on a thing,” Holmes continued.
posted by kirkaracha at 12:47 PM on October 17, 2022 [3 favorites]
I think you mean:
“If anything sexy happened in this county, I have the right to work with the police getting sexy things done," he said. "People don’t know that I’ve been working with sexy law enforcement for years,” Holmes said, sexily.
“But they can call me whenever they want me, and I have the authority to do sexy things for them, to work with them on a sexy thing,” Holmes continued, also sexily.
posted by GenjiandProust at 1:02 PM on October 17, 2022 [5 favorites]
“If anything sexy happened in this county, I have the right to work with the police getting sexy things done," he said. "People don’t know that I’ve been working with sexy law enforcement for years,” Holmes said, sexily.
“But they can call me whenever they want me, and I have the authority to do sexy things for them, to work with them on a sexy thing,” Holmes continued, also sexily.
posted by GenjiandProust at 1:02 PM on October 17, 2022 [5 favorites]
kirkaracha, I see what you did there.
posted by Ben Trismegistus at 2:13 PM on October 17, 2022
posted by Ben Trismegistus at 2:13 PM on October 17, 2022
Pontifexy Pope
posted by hypnogogue at 7:31 AM on October 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by hypnogogue at 7:31 AM on October 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
> Thank you for sharing these... from the UK point of view I've never understood why Halloween ended up so "sexy" in American culture.
Basically, it's just a socially acceptable opportunity for otherwise "good girls" (and guys, since increasingly the "sexy _____" costume trend applies to men as well) to dress "slutty" without the judgement that might normally come from doing so. It's an excuse to have fun and liberate yourself from normal social standards and good taste. Typical carnival stuff, really.
Why Hallowe'en, in particular? Because that's the one time a year that people typically wear costumes, at least in the US and Canada.
posted by asnider at 9:31 AM on October 18, 2022 [6 favorites]
Basically, it's just a socially acceptable opportunity for otherwise "good girls" (and guys, since increasingly the "sexy _____" costume trend applies to men as well) to dress "slutty" without the judgement that might normally come from doing so. It's an excuse to have fun and liberate yourself from normal social standards and good taste. Typical carnival stuff, really.
Why Hallowe'en, in particular? Because that's the one time a year that people typically wear costumes, at least in the US and Canada.
posted by asnider at 9:31 AM on October 18, 2022 [6 favorites]
I am really curious what the actual product looks like. So many of these are just so tight, and fit so perfectly well... Did they get models who just happened to have the exact shape to make the outfit work? Or are these tailored to the model, this having little actual resemblance to what you'd end up getting?
Let me preface this that my experience was a little over a decade ago. Some (not all!) costume manufacturers used different (better) costumes on their models than what was in the package.
I worked at a large costume etailer that worked closely with costume manufacturers, and learned of this when the company President asked for one of the sample costumes for himself because of the much better quality than what would be in the final product.
When I asked about why they did it that way, and more importantly, wasn’t that a bit dishonest? It was explained to me like this: the costumes are designed fairly early in the year, but because of the speed in which costumes need to be designed, marketed and mass produced to be ready for each season, they had to take the marketing photographs at the same time as they were still finalizing the design in a way that could be mass produced. So the approved prototype design probably has detailing and other features that might be too difficult or expensive to mass produce. And the designer might choose a fabric that turns out isn’t suitable for mass production (read between the lines, higher quality). But the end product is “essentially” the same.
Some examples were pretty egregious too. I’m not sure how it wasn’t false advertising. And I definitely have my doubts as to the necessity as much as the “well isn’t that convenient” nature of the issue.
(Despite that and other kinda shady nonsense, that was by far my favorite job.)
As an additional tidbit, some portion of costume manufacturers also made lingerie. I do not know which came first. But just keep that in mind when you think about sexy costumes, it starts to make some sense.
Now you know!
posted by [insert clever name here] at 10:19 PM on October 18, 2022 [5 favorites]
Let me preface this that my experience was a little over a decade ago. Some (not all!) costume manufacturers used different (better) costumes on their models than what was in the package.
I worked at a large costume etailer that worked closely with costume manufacturers, and learned of this when the company President asked for one of the sample costumes for himself because of the much better quality than what would be in the final product.
When I asked about why they did it that way, and more importantly, wasn’t that a bit dishonest? It was explained to me like this: the costumes are designed fairly early in the year, but because of the speed in which costumes need to be designed, marketed and mass produced to be ready for each season, they had to take the marketing photographs at the same time as they were still finalizing the design in a way that could be mass produced. So the approved prototype design probably has detailing and other features that might be too difficult or expensive to mass produce. And the designer might choose a fabric that turns out isn’t suitable for mass production (read between the lines, higher quality). But the end product is “essentially” the same.
Some examples were pretty egregious too. I’m not sure how it wasn’t false advertising. And I definitely have my doubts as to the necessity as much as the “well isn’t that convenient” nature of the issue.
(Despite that and other kinda shady nonsense, that was by far my favorite job.)
As an additional tidbit, some portion of costume manufacturers also made lingerie. I do not know which came first. But just keep that in mind when you think about sexy costumes, it starts to make some sense.
Now you know!
posted by [insert clever name here] at 10:19 PM on October 18, 2022 [5 favorites]
> As an additional tidbit, some portion of costume manufacturers also made lingerie. I do not know which came first. But just keep that in mind when you think about sexy costumes, it starts to make some sense.
This is a good point. Heck, if you go into certain sex shops or even lingerie shops with a slightly kinkier-than-average bent you'll see lingerie sold in packaging that looks remarkably similar to the kind use for these costumes.
posted by asnider at 10:18 AM on October 19, 2022
This is a good point. Heck, if you go into certain sex shops or even lingerie shops with a slightly kinkier-than-average bent you'll see lingerie sold in packaging that looks remarkably similar to the kind use for these costumes.
posted by asnider at 10:18 AM on October 19, 2022
Wot, no Sexy President Zelensky?
I'd be down for that. He ain't bad. But how would you do the costume? Tight suit with holes cut out and some kind of rubber mask?
posted by jenfullmoon at 11:33 AM on October 19, 2022
I'd be down for that. He ain't bad. But how would you do the costume? Tight suit with holes cut out and some kind of rubber mask?
posted by jenfullmoon at 11:33 AM on October 19, 2022
Has anyone seen one of these "sexy" costumes in the wild? Like at a party, or even at a store?
I spotted Sexy Kruger at a costume shop and immediately grokked it as the most terrible thing - Sexy Child Murderer - and so I had to get it and wear it that year, along with some massive pleaser pumps and fishnets and a terrrrrible blonde wig so I could look as much like the package model as a husky dude like myself could. It is a costume still spoken of in wonder and fear by the other attendees of that bash... I still have the chintzy slashed up sweater dress thing, altho the glove broke after a single evening's wear and the hat was basically made out of tissue. If I was going to repeat the performance I'd definitely get a better quality set of accessories...
posted by FatherDagon at 11:45 AM on October 19, 2022 [4 favorites]
I spotted Sexy Kruger at a costume shop and immediately grokked it as the most terrible thing - Sexy Child Murderer - and so I had to get it and wear it that year, along with some massive pleaser pumps and fishnets and a terrrrrible blonde wig so I could look as much like the package model as a husky dude like myself could. It is a costume still spoken of in wonder and fear by the other attendees of that bash... I still have the chintzy slashed up sweater dress thing, altho the glove broke after a single evening's wear and the hat was basically made out of tissue. If I was going to repeat the performance I'd definitely get a better quality set of accessories...
posted by FatherDagon at 11:45 AM on October 19, 2022 [4 favorites]
A few years ago my partner went as sexy Willie Nelson, and it was glorious.
posted by deadbilly at 10:27 PM on October 20, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by deadbilly at 10:27 PM on October 20, 2022 [3 favorites]
A few years ago my partner went as sexy Willie Nelson, and it was glorious.
Surely one would be sexy Willy Nelson.
posted by Dip Flash at 5:46 AM on October 21, 2022
Surely one would be sexy Willy Nelson.
posted by Dip Flash at 5:46 AM on October 21, 2022
A few years ago my partner went as sexy Willie Nelson, and it was glorious.
Pics, or it didn't happen.
posted by a non mouse, a cow herd at 7:20 AM on October 21, 2022 [1 favorite]
Pics, or it didn't happen.
posted by a non mouse, a cow herd at 7:20 AM on October 21, 2022 [1 favorite]
> I'm embarrassed to say that my biggest complaint is - why does Sexy Sherlock Holmes have a police badge? Does the designer have no familiarity with the source material?
The Girl Scout's badges are not actual Junior badges despite her being in a green uniform. I'm starting to think it wasn't actually licensed from GSUSA.
posted by The corpse in the library at 9:26 AM on October 28, 2022 [2 favorites]
The Girl Scout's badges are not actual Junior badges despite her being in a green uniform. I'm starting to think it wasn't actually licensed from GSUSA.
posted by The corpse in the library at 9:26 AM on October 28, 2022 [2 favorites]
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