Walking through the Halloween store, searching for a costume this weekend, I grew increasingly depressed and exhausted. Why were my main choices a sexy nurse, cop, or schoolteacher? Now, I’m not the biggest feminist but I still feel like Halloween’s sole purpose is to objectify women (besides the candy, don’t even get me started how upset I am that I’m “too old” to trick-or-treat). That particular trip to the Halloween store got me thinking about a Do and Don’t list for Halloween costumes this year.  How many times have you seen girls prancing around as bunnies or a bumblebee? Sexy bumblebee? Really? I will never understand how this costume is still increasingly popular each year, I mean, it’s a bug, that stings nonetheless! Boys are no exception either. I’d like to see them put a little more effort into their costumes, instead of coming up with something the night before. Girls’ spend weeks trying to think of a creative costume, and for guys, it’s not even on their radar. A boy who lives down the hall from me asked if putting a “For Rent” sign on his shirt was a good costume, this Halloween should be different.

DON’T print out a piece of paper and stick it on your shirt, dress, etc.  As mentioned above, a “For Rent” sign is not much of a costume, nor is a Coors Light label stuck on a random dress. Costumes that consist of a random piece of paper on everyday clothing is a pretty lame and lazy costume.

DON’T dress up as the cliché, expected store bought costumes. Everyone has seen and is bored of the sexy (really slutty) French maid, nurse, etc. Be creative! You can still look sexy without wearing a bikini or lingerie. Boys, please stay away from dressing up as a big baby, I can’t tell you how cringe worthy it is.

DON’T wear something that takes longer than a sentence to explain. Trust me, this could create for an awkward situation, and if the person you’re talking to hasn’t seen the very obscure movie character you’re so accurately portraying, it’s even worse.

DO dress up as a group. Dressing up with your friends is always fun and you can’t go wrong if you’re all dressing up together!

DO make your own costume. Using your own clothes and accessories is a sure way of knowing your costume will be unique. If your closet doesn’t look promising, Salvation Army and Good Will are great places to find the odd, hard to find pieces that will really add to your costume.

DO be funny! I always think that the best costumes are those that make me laugh. Political figures, like Sarah Palin, or, in light of the ever-growing Jersey Shore trend, a Guido or guidette are always good choices. Just remember not to go overboard though for example, an “outhouse” costume. Don’t be a port-a-potty for Halloween, because I mean, who wants to dance with a toilet?

Kim Giordano can be reached at [email protected].