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I've personally been waiting for Halloween since June. Halloween is the day of the year where adults can act like kids — candy, friends, and partying all sound really good to me right about now. One thing I used to despise about Halloween, though, was how gendered the costumes are. No, I am not interested in being a sexy goldfish, thank you very much — I appreciate costumes that are warm, comfortable, and functional. (I need somewhere to stash all the candy I'm going to get, after all.)
Finding a Halloween costume that doesn't play off tropes about any gender in particular can be tough, but it doesn't have to be. One Reddit thread from earlier this year, asking what a good costume is for someone who is transgender but not out, had some awesome suggestions that are both neutral and amazing. But one comment in particular sticks out that we should definitely keep in mind when talking about Halloween costumes, which is that "You could dress up as whatever you want on Halloween, no one is gonna assume anything about you other than your sense of humor."
With that in mind, take the list below as simple, gender neutral suggestions for an awesome Halloween costume — no sexy goldfish in sight.
Hazmat Suit
Hazmat Suit & Mask, $30, Halloween Costumes
You've successfully navigated the toxic waste 2017 spewed at you all year thus far. Dress up in this realistic hazmat suit to stay safe from whatever ish Halloween may throw at you.
Double Dare Blue Contestant
Adult Blue Contestant Costume - Double Dare, $40, Spirit Halloween
Looking for a way to show off your ‘90s kid pride? This Double Dare contestant costume will bring back memories of rooting for your favorite team after school. Make sure to bring your goggles in case things get messy.
Prince
Purple Rock Legend Costume, $60-$70, Halloween Costumes
The late Prince was famous throwing all rules about gender out the window — many tributes to him focused on how he was way ahead of his time when it comes to gender fluidity. Honor his legendary legacy by donning his signature purple coat and making it (purple) rain.
An Avocado
Avocado Adult Costume, $40, Target
2017 has been the year of the avocado. You put it on your toast and in your green smoothie. According to the olds, avocados may even be the reason you can't afford a house. Why not live up to your millennial stereotype and go as an avocado for Halloween?
A Sloth
Adult Sloth Costume, $39, Find Costume
The three-toed sloth can sleep up to 20 hours a day, and then spends the rest of the time eating. If that sounds like the ideal day to you, this sloth costume is perfect for you to show your true colors this Halloween. Even better, this costume can double as pajamas all year long.
This Tweet About The Babadook
If we learned anything in 2017, it's that the Babadook is an unequivocal queer icon — there is no denying it. I guarantee that everyone and their mother will be dressing up as this spooky monster this Halloween, but your costume can take the meme one further: Print out the above iconic tweet on poster board, and wear it around whatever festivities you're gracing with your presence. Meta!
Fidget Spinner
Teen Fidget Spinner Halloween Costume, $50, Costumeish
Fidget spinners were all the rage in 2017, though sadly their popularity has faded slightly. Dress up as this fun toy to pay homage to the craze or take it one step further — cover the fidget spinner in baby powder and go as the ghost of fidget spinners past. IDK, it's your Halloween.
LEGO Block
Adult Building Block Costume, $70, Costumeish
LEGOs are instantly recognizable & a huge hit with people young and old. Pay homage to the toy that defined multiple generations by dressing up as one or, better yet, go as a group of LEGOs with your BFFs. Just make sure you don't get stepped on, for everyone's sake.
Cousin Itt
Adult Deluxe Hairy Cousin Wig Costume, $130, Costumeish
Cousin Itt was one of my favorite members of the Addams Family, and makes a great Halloween costume with the spooky factor already built in. Even though this costume is a little bit steep, at least it'll keep you warm and provide plenty of places to hide your candy stash.
The costume ideas are good for anyone of any gender, but there are literally thousands of costumes that don't play off of gender stereotypes that you can wear instead. Just remember that your costume should never culturally appropriate, or play into harmful stereotypes about people — and if you have any doubts about whether or not a costume does, it's best to find another one entirely. The only thing you should worry about is how much fun you’ll have with your squad on Oct. 31.
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