If it's too sexy, why do they make it in my size?

Unfortunately, this does seem to be the sexist reality of childrens' Halloween costumes. One of my nieces wanted to go as a doctor one year, and although nurse costumes for girls abounded, all of the doctor costumes were made for boys (my sister ended up getting her actual scrubs in her size and making a name tag herself). Almost all of the girl costumes I've seen (beginning at toddler sizes and ending at around the right size for a 12-year-old!) are pint-size versions of sexy characters, whereas boys get all kinds of fun options. Luckily for us, this year my nieces are going as fairies, ladybugs, kittens, and the like (my nephews are into train conductors, dinosaurs, cowboys, etc.). I just shudder to think what will happen when they're a bit older and my sisters have to field those inappropriate costumes!

It is the Catch-22. Manufacturers say they make sexy clothes (and not just costumes) in tween and younger sizes because that's what the market will bear (ie that's what the parents are buying). But looking around, it's getting hard to find clothes and costumes that aren't sexy so a parent is basically stuck having to buy something they don't think is 100% appropriate. I hope to avoid this by explaining to my daughter why those sorts of clothes are not appropriate and hope to keep her Halloween costumes innocent for as long as possible. I'm lucky in that I can sew and thus make just about any costume she would want. I just need to make sure I can keep her excited about having an hand-crafted, one of a kind costume.

I completely agree that costumes are too sexy...but Hannah Montana...The costume above seems to be pretty covered up and most of her outfits/costumes are. When things are too "sexy" for my niece we put some leggings on underneath and if necessary a tank top. There are always ways to make those costumes modest.

With my little girl, even at 5, she knows that its not "right" as she puts it. A lot of her thinking is influenced by our religion and beliefs, Pentecostal. She is used to wearing dresses and skirts that are to her knees and so the shorter skirts that they have with the costume, she doesn't like. I'm hopeful that as she gets older, she keeps this attutide. Our 4 year old girl likes some of the costumes but she knows that she is not allowed to wear them because they are not appropriate at all. Her costume was adapted with a longer skirt underneath it but she likes it even more because its all "hers".

If the pic is of the "sexy" Hanna costume, then the author has a serious image problem. Calf high boots, a bolero, and a dcent length skirt are sexy? Do not ever enter a Catholic school. Never go to the mall, and for god's sake, never let your daughter be a girl.

get a life and a real job>

Fortunately, I'm a male and will be in Las Vegas for Halloween night and weekend where real women dress however they want to - and the greatest majority will be in their sexiest costumes while going to the clubs, drinking alcohol, and trying to manage that distinct rite of womanhood....the high heel shoe.

A visual delight on Halloween night. Besides, what happens in Vegas......

I can relate to the authors sentiments. The definition of Sexy is not just directly correlative to how much skin is showing, there are other factors. Who wouldn't consider a young girl dressed in tight leather as cat woman, sexy... and there'd be slim to no skin showing at all. Especially with sexual predators abound, there's already too much at stake for our girls; I praise every mom who will go to great lengths to protect their children regardless of what others think. Way to go Kerry!

Sounds like you ruined your girls Halloween.

Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus herself is a disgrace. Not the costume.

I don't think its the costume thats the problem, but the image in portrays.

Do you really want your child dressing up as a 15 year old whore who pole dances on a childrens awards show. Honestly, instead of waging war against that costume, which mind you, isn't bad, wage war against that image. My lil ones are Bat Girl and a Cowgirl. The skirts to short you say, leggings or stockings. Hell make them wear jeans under it if it really bothers you.

Also, while on the topic of to sexy costumes. How about all the mothers dressing up like god damn whores. Leave the slutty costumes to the younger crowd. Be sensible ladies. For gods sake. Your girls are looking up to you. Be an image that they can proudly look up to and admire. Remove negative influences like Miley Cyrus, Paris Hilton, and Lindsy Lohan from their lives. Teach them morals and respect. And teach them respect for themselves.

Honestly, you did not ruin your girls Halloween as Eroge says, but you prevented her from representing another disgrace birthed from Disney's long line of failed female idols [Spears, Lohan].

How about next Halloween, you suggest your girl or boy make their costume. Or go through the costume magazine with them. Thats what I do. If its too revealing. Suggest something else, call it cuter. Don't just flat out say no, if they keep insisting, see if there is anything you can do to make it less revealing. Stockings, a tank top underneath, even a flesh colored turtle neck. Thats what my grandmother did when I was little, I was a Native American for Halloween. She got me a flesh colored Turtle neck to wear underneath it. Not only did it cover me up, but guess what, it kept me warm in the North Easts chilly windy weather.

There are always alternatives and ways to convince them otherwise.

-Phe

P.S.

Have a charming and safe Halloween.

Simply calling every costume with a skirt a "sexy" costume is an over simplification. What also has to be taken into account is age-appropriateness. As one poster pointed out, the photo shows a costume which is not significantly different than the way that many teens dress every day. However, appropriate for a teen and appropriate for a six year old are two entirely different things. And therein lies the danger; when age-appropriateness is not considered it's very easy for those who seem to spurn any overture of decency to claim that anyone unwilling to dress their toddler in marginally racy adult attire is merely a prude and out of touch.

This of course is a fallacy perpetuated by the self-indulgent. There is a huge difference between a toddler, an eight year-old, a teen, and an adult. There are volumes of both anecdotal and empirical evidence that show that to subvert a child's natural maturation process is unhealthy at best and typically highly damaging. Another poster mentioned child stars Spears and Lohan, two sad examples of what happens when a child is forced prematurely into an adult world for which he or she is not prepared. And while a single Halloween costume is unlikely to thrust a six year-old down a path of drug addiction, promiscuity, and a series of really bad movies it does still send the wrong message. It tells the child that it is OK to act like a teen or adult. Plain and simply, it is not.

Yes, Halloween is a chance for children and adults to be something they are not. However that should never include compromising one's standards. Even at a very young age, children recognize inconsistent behavior and they will learn that the standards that you have worked a lifetime to instill are fine and good for the day-to-day, but can be ignored if there is a good time to be had. And I don't think that's a lesson anyone is likely to hope their kids will take away.

Well, frankly, I also have a problem with sexy girls' tween and children's costumes. But I think that instead of just complaining about it - why not go to a thrift store and put together a creative DIY (and appropriate) costume? I've been putting together my own costumes for years (I started it when I was 10 and my sisters all do the same) and I can guarantee, we always have the best costumes around and best of all, there's not one chance of seeing anyone with exactly the same costume.

It's a little bit more work, but it tends to be cheaper and some of the clothing used in the costume can be reused as regular wear clothing.