Sexy costumes have been on the rise since the 1970s and are more popular now than they have ever been. Though they have become especially prominent in recent decades, the sexualized costume can be traced back to the very origins of Halloween. The sexualization began with the first Halloween traditions that included idols of fertility, emphasis on the importance of virginity, and cross dressing. So if the tradition dates back to the Victorian Era, why has it only just escalated to the extremity seen today? This is not the only time in history that the appropriateness of Halloween attire has come into question. For a brief period in the late seventies, as more graphic horror movies gained popularity, the costumes followed suit — more blood, more gore. Some people were bothered by the graphic displays. So has the media done it again? Has the increasing sexual content of readily available media changed Halloween? How are people responding to this most recent costume shift?

Arvada West students and teachers shared their thoughts on sexy costumes, and how they interact with the lives of students. Here’s what they had to say: many students wrote responses of encouragement and acceptance of the phenomenon, and mentioned the importance of individuality and self-expression. On the other hand, some said that “sexy”

costumes had no place in school, that there

should be a limit on either age or general dress.

Throughout history, Halloween has been an outlet for people to express outwardly, the changing values of society, and their own personal individualism. Has this become the newest outward expression? Time will tell.