The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.

For many women I’ve known who live more conservative lifestyles than I do, Halloween is the only chance they get each year to manifest that sort of overt sexuality. They can express themselves however they want with their clothes and makeup, just for a day, however dramatically they choose, letting their inner freak-flag fly without having to worry about transgressing the cultural norms that govern their daily choices, and without risking judgement from various people in their lives. And I don’t understand why it’s so laughable, why these poor girls end up being the butt of so many jokes. Because I think it’s awesome that they have the chance at all.

We live in this weird paradoxical society where women are told on every billboard, magazine, and TV advertisement that we should want to look like Victoria’s Secret models, that “sexiness” means lace and straps and bare legs and cleavage and heavy makeup… but we also mock and demonize anyone who actually chooses to present herself as half-naked and sultry, calling her morality and even her worth as a woman into question.

But a Halloween costume is a loophole. On Halloween, you can pretend to be whoever you want. Is it really so shocking that girls choose to use this opportunity to feel extra sexy and desirable, the one time a year they can easily do so without the burden of societal shame?

Not everyone is a social justice warrior who has the energy to vocally rally against the corporate machine of unrealistic beauty standards. Not everyone is in a life situation where they can say “Fuck your slut shaming. I’ll wear what I fucking want, every god damned day.” Some women are shy, are timid, are conservative. Some women’s freedoms to express themselves physically are restricted by jobs and family. Does that mean they should never get to explore what makes them feel hot? 

Screw that. Laughing at a girl for wanting to dress as a sexy tavern wench or a Playboy Bunny is just as anti-feminist as any other form of slut shaming. And it’s not cool.