This is what a feminist [Halloween costume] looks like
With the arrival of October, the hunt for the perfect Halloween costume begins. Rather than simply frolic in a fun costume and eat candy, liberal ladyblogs proclaim that Halloween is the perfect opportunity to “totally smash the patriarchy” by wearing a feminist Halloween costume.
What is a #feministHalloween costume? In some cases, this is a good way to push back against the pervasive “sexy” costumes marketed towards women. Dressing up as a Suffragette, Amelia Earhart, Rosie the Riveter, or Joan of Arc are creative ways to salute strong women who made a mark on history. Unfortunately, many of the feminist costume ideas focus on body parts, various forms of birth control, and any issue that uses a #shaming tag.
Lady Parts and Contraceptives
Tampons
This year, the concept of period shaming made headlines when a woman ran a marathon on her period, and Donald Trump made those notorious comments about Megyn Kelly. Why not show your menstrual cycle pride by wearing it as a costume?
Need other ideas for a #tamponcostume? Instagram provides more examples!
Contraceptives
Condom costumes have been around for a while, so celebrate with your favorite form of birth control.
1. IUD
If confused, the inventor of this costume provided DIY instructions on how to make your own version.
2. The Pill
Suggestion: If you and your feminist bestie go for this costume, be sure to stay together all night. Otherwise, the person dressed as The Pill could be mistaken for a simple aspirin.
Planned Parenthood designed this costume and calls it Pillamina. The Planned Parenthood Action Fund uses it at various protests.
3. NuvaRing
It may look like this costume consists of nothing but a pink sweatsuit and a hula hoop, but the savvy social justice warrior will recognize it as a NuvaRing.
Source: Bitch Media
Reproductive Organs
1. Vagina
Is there a better way to show appreciation for your genitalia than to dress up as a vagina or a uterus? MTV explains that this is a winning costume idea because “…vaginas are magical and dressing up like one is pretty much a guaranteed good time.”
A photo posted by Michaela Carpenter (@michaelaac) on Apr 19, 2020 at 11:30am PDT
This vagina costume might cause nightmares.
2. Uterus
A photo posted by Jessi MacEachern (@jessisaying) on Sep 12, 2020 at 7:05pm PDT
Confusing Feminist Concepts
There are many confusing theories and buzzwords within feminism and women’s studies. Why not use Halloween to explain the concepts of the gender binary, intersectionality, objectification or “the male gaze” to your less politically-astute friends? As a writer at Bustle explains:
“As a complete gender theory nerd, I think about intersectionality, the male gaze, and other concepts applicable to gender politics on a regular basis, but I haven’t hitherto quite been able to figure out how to visually represent these ideas. Finally, though, I’ve sat down and brainstormed ways for feminists to bring the thoughts that keep them up at night to their Halloween parties (and trick-or-treating trips, because you’re never too old). Here are a few suggestions for making Halloween an intellectual celebration of feminism.”
Remember, if you need a last-minute costume, the “Microaggression” idea only requires blank stickers and the help of your closest SJW friend.
The Patriarchy
Why not “fight the oppressive patriarchy” while trick-or-treating? Not sure about how the patriarchy translates into a costume? Simply dress up like an extra from the musical Newsies.
Catcalls
Further the feminist war on catcalls with the Cat Against Cat Calls costume. It only requires pair of cat ears and the patience to explain what it means all night long.
This version might be easier for others to understand.
Feminist Housewife
The feminist housewife costume allows feminists to take a break from the guilt they feel from wearing aprons around the house. Make sure your costume includes an ironic sign such as “Make your own damn sandwich!” or you might lose the irony and embrace a symbol of the patriarchy.
Famous Liberal Women
For the feminist intellectual, Ruth Bader Ginsberg or Sonia Sotomayor are popular choices. One feminist costume not represented in all of the feminist Halloween costume posts: Sandra Day O’Conner, the first woman appointed to the Supreme Court of the United States. But she was nominated by a Republican president.
Ruth Bader Ginsberg
Sonia Sotomayor
Best. Costume. Ever. One of my daughter’s teachers dressed as Justice Sonia Sotomayor! #latism @momsrising pic.twitter.com/g8ks8YsF2g
— Elisa Batista (@ElisaBatista) October 31, 2020
Hillary Clinton
Imitating the famous Hillary meme is one option. All you need is a blonde wig, sunglasses and a cell phone. Bonus points if you can convince a friend to go as a missing email.
With this costume and hair, I just had to… @WolfTrapOpera@HillaryClintonpic.twitter.com/Fv8TiD1OLQ
— Renée Rapier (@ReneeRapier) July 2, 2020
Margaret Sanger
Planned Parenthood of Minnesota thinks its a great idea to fight for “reproductive health” on Halloween. Naturally, they have a costume idea on how to dress up like the noted racist and eugenicist, Margaret Sanger. They write:
At Peter Bagge’s presentation on Woman Rebel at Magers and Quinn, he told us something that black and white photos of Planned Parenthood founder and birth control pioneer Margaret Sanger could not: that she had auburn hair and, at one point, made red dresses her staple. Pulling together a period-accurate outfit is basically impossible, but your friends will be too impressed at your knowledge of pivotal historical figures to really care that you pulled that red dress from the back of your closet, not from the early 20th century.
Source: Planned Parenthood Minnesota Advocate
Feminist Costumes for Little Girls
Don’t forget the littlist feminists in your family. Makers provides several costume ideas for children, such as Lena Dunham or Gloria Steinem, because it’s never too early to indoctrinate them with liberal ideology.
