Kim Kardashian at LIV on October 31, 2012

Words by Dara Michelle

Over the years, Halloween costumes for women have become progressively more provocative. Even your “G-rated” Sponge Bob has been completely sluttified and now comes with a side of thigh highs. Nowadays, it seems like there aren’t even any other options and frankly, that’s just how some of us like it. Most women want a free pass to explore their naughty side. Or, in the case of Kim Kardashian, to show off what they work hard for. The photo above shows Kim just a year ago. And with her amazing post-baby weight loss, we can’t wait to see what she dons this year. Halloween is a day for just that; women can wear a short skirt for no other reason than because that’s just how it came out of the package.

We’ve all known about this slutty costume trend for years, but it wasn’t until 2004’s Mean Girls that the terms slutty Halloween truly became a “thing.” “In Girl World,” explained Cady, “Halloween is the one day a year when a girl can dress up like a total slut and no other girls can say anything else about it.” In other words, Halloween became the get-out-of-slutty-free card—a chance for nice, normal girls to show off their assets and embrace their promiscuous alter egos for a night.

Why do they do it, these girls who dress like cats and bats in revealing attire that rivals lingerie? Because it’s fun. Embracing your sexuality, flaunting your goodies and getting some male attention (from someone other than your significant other) feels pretty good. In a perfect society, we’d all be able to do those things whenever we felt like it. But, unfortunately, we live in an often-sexist society where wearing a skimpy mini says so much more than, “After taking that one hour Pilates class, I kinda feel like showing off my legs tonight.”

So one day a year, you’re free to dress however you want without worrying about what message you’re sending, because the whole point is to be something you’re not. And while some of the standard costumes—sexy cop, sexy schoolgirl and sexy nurse—may be unoriginal, it’s also some of the most time-tested fantasy material for men and women. And what’s wrong with taking our fantasies out of the dark bedroom and out on the town for the night? And what’s so “slutty” about wearing something revealing, anyway? Frankly, that tone of judgmental superiority, which so many people adopt while discussing this issue, seems to me to speak of a much larger issue of our nation’s deep discomfort with female sexuality.

I say if you want to dress up as a stripper or sexy Little-Bo-Peep, then by all means knock yourself out. It’s a holiday about parties, candy and fun. Besides, it’s amazing what thigh-highs and red lipstick can do to a girl’s swagger. Don’t believe me? Check out these treats below to see just how sexy Halloween can be.

Kim Kardashian at LIV on October 31, 2012

Halloween is never complete without a sexy catwoman moment, and who better to pull it off than Kim Kardashian? We love how this leather body suit shows off all of Kim’s sexy curves. Her red lip and cat eyeliner complete her scratch-tastic look. Meow.

Kourtney Kardashian at LIV on October 31, 2012

Brooke Hogan at LIV on October 31, 2012

Ciara at LIV on October 31, 2010

Gabrielle Union at AE District on October 31, 2009

Gabrielle Union & Trina at AE District on October 31, 2009

Brande Roderick at The Forge on October 31, 2007

Lisa Hochstein at Black Rose Mansion on October 27, 2012

Willa McGowan, Amanda Turner, & Sonia Bevelin at WALL on October 30, 2012

We love how these girls are celebrating their friendship, their sexuality and their assets. There’s nothing sexier than women supporting other women. Is there room for us in this pic?

Sonia Bevelin at WALL on October 30, 2012

Axwell at LIV on October 29, 2011

Julie Davis at Axwell at LIV on October 29, 2011

Masquerade at Bâoli on October 31, 2012

Blind fold + leather whip + lace corset = sexiest costume ever. Wonder if she’s feeling 50 Shades of Grey?

Vilena Vix at Masquerade at Bâoli on October 31, 2012

Vilena Vix & Tatiana Ilina at Masquerade at Bâoli on October 31, 2012

Sofia Sanchez & Sara Bolay at Black Rose Mansion on October 27, 2012

Black Rose Mansion on October 27, 2012

Francesca Aufiero at Heroes and Villains at FIFTY Miami on October 26, 2012

Forget damsel in distress. These girls look both sexy and strong in their superhero costumes. And what’s sexier than a woman who knows her own strength? We bet they meet a few boys in need of some rescuing.

Yaisel Carmenate at Heroes and Villains at FIFTY Miami on October 26, 2012

Heroes and Villains at FIFTY Miami on October 26, 2012

Jessica Smith & Stefanie Smolski at Black Rose Mansion on October 27, 2012

LIV on October 30, 2009

Olivia Spanos at Black Rose Mansion on October 27, 2012

Caitlin Nordstrom, Stephanie Bascone, & Liz Cifuentes at Cedric Gervais Sh!t Show at LIV on October 27, 2012

Sander Van Doorn at LIV on October 29, 2011

Sander Van Doorn at LIV on October 29, 2011

Carnevil 2012 at Mokai on October 29, 2012

Carnevil 2012 at Mokai on October 29, 2012

Carnevil Sexy Halloween Circus at Mokai on October 31, 2011

Carnevil Sexy Halloween Circus at Mokai on October 31, 2011

Masquerade at Bâoli on October 31, 2012

Masquerade at Bâoli on October 31, 2012

Kristina Kay Carnevil 2012 at Mokai on October 29, 2012

Fright Fest on October 28, 2011

Beth Vipallo at Sander Van Doorn at LIV on October 29, 2011

WALL on October 28, 2011

Fabiana Arroyo at Carnevil Sexy Halloween Circus at Mokai on October 31, 2011

Sophie Ilebakle at Carnevil Sexy Halloween Circus at Mokai on October 31, 2011

Mansion’s Thunderdome Halloween on October 31, 2012

Mansion’s Thunderdome Halloween on October 31, 2012

Angelique Miller at Mansion’s Thunderdome Halloween on October 31, 2012

Kathryn Royal at STK on October 29, 2012

Marina Medvedeva at Pinkroom Halloween Party 2010

Yulia Klintsevich & Dina Habibulina at Pinkroom Halloween Party 2010

 

Mansion’s Thunderdome Halloween on October 31, 2012

Mansion’s Thunderdome Halloween on October 31, 2012

Swanky Tunes & Hard Rock Sofa at Amnesia on October 28, 2011

Fright Fest on October 28, 2011

Quetza Gonzalez & Flavia Abadala at Black Rose Mansion on October 27, 2012

Black Rose Mansion on October 27, 2012

Black Rose Mansion on October 27, 2012

Nightmare Above Lincoln Road on October 29, 2011

Nightmare Above Lincoln Road on October 29, 2011

Shannon Austin at Black Rose Mansion on October 27, 2012

Nightmare Above Lincoln Road on October 29, 2011

Carnevil 2012 at Mokai on October 29, 2012

Sebastian Ingrosso & Erick Morillo at LIV on October 26, 2012

Muriel Villera & Lucia Alfonso at Fright Fest on October 28, 2011

Tasha & Monica Lopez de Victoria at Beam Me Up Halloween Bash on October 27, 2012

Nastya Nice at Mansion’s Thunderdome Halloween on October 31, 2012

WALL on October 28, 2011

Willa McGowan at Sebastian Ingrosso & Erick Morillo at LIV on October 26, 2012

Stefanie Smolski at Carnevil 2012 at Mokai on October 29, 2012

Randyl Gawn & Courtney Day at EA Need For Speed Pre-Launch Party 2010

Steff Ruiz & Gabrielle Dalmasy at LIV on October 28, 2009

Steff Ruiz at LIV on October 30, 2009

Robbie Rivera at Mansion on October 27, 2012