Lions, tigers and... oh, my
By AMY KAUFMAN Special to the Daily Press
CITYWIDE — Parents may find themselves shielding their childrens’ eyes this Halloween, not from scary goblins or cackling witches, but rather the racy costumes sure to grace the streets of Santa Monica.
It’s the overindulgence of eye candy on Halloween that leave some with a sour taste in their mouth.
If sales from local costume shops are any indication, a generation taught to love their bodies will embrace them tonight, donning increasingly scandalous versions of old-time Halloween favorites.
The provocative clothing choice of older “tricks” or “treaters” is what defines Halloween, according to Urbandictionary.com, an online slang dictionary that allows its users to create definitions. The leading description of “Halloween” on the site, of a total 43, is “an annual excuse for girls to dress like sluts and get away with it.”
Secret Desires, an adult video and merchandise store at 2414 Lincoln Boulevard, where the costume sold “like hot bread,” according to day manager Jorge Rivas.The outfit,which was “very short,”sold out at all four store locations in Los Angeles County.
“On Halloween, people go out of their closet,” said Rivas. “In today’s society, it’s so hard to express yourself. Halloween is the best excuse to dress up and let go... to be able to use your imagination.”
Pirates were the hottest fare at Ursula’s Costumes, 2516 Wilshire Blvd., according to store manager Richard Boschet.
“Ladies do like all that sexy stuff,” said Boschet, adding that women aged 18-40 come into the store looking for more daring garb around Halloween.
The least popular outfit at Desires, Rivas said, was a pink belly dancer costume, which he referred to as “very Disneyland.” Though still skin-bearing, the costume ranked notably less sexy as it hung on the rack.
But the phenomenon isn’t limited exclusively to females. Rivas explained that men of all sexual orientations — gay, bisexual and straight — like to indulge in racier outfits as well.
“Guys come in asking for thongs of all kinds,” Rivas noted, while holding up a red mesh variety.
Secret Desires attracts only the beautiful people, according to Rivas, who said that everyone who came in was “good looking and thin.” The store sells accessories to enhance breast-size for women, including push-up bras, adhesives and petticoats, which are helpful with “accentuating a woman’s waist and helping them to look thinner.”
“On Halloween, you can show off your body and what you have,” Rivas said.
“I think it’s the one day a year you’re free to not be yourself,” said Chiara Echiverri, a 22-year-old student. “It’s stereotypical for girls to dress up provocatively, so you’re almost forced to do it yourself.
You’re not as cool as everyone else if you don’t.” Meanwhile, over at Aahs!!, located at 3223 Wilshire Blvd., the popularity of sexy outfits has ruled the season. A brand called Leg Avenue was the top-seller at the store, with its mostly tiny costumes typically accompanied by fishnet stockings and stiletto high heels.
“Half of your ass is hanging out in those costumes,” said 19-year-old store employee Apple Stuart, who was dressed modestly as a pirate.
“Girls will come in saying they want something slutty,” Stuart said, pointing to the ladybug costume.
Little Red Riding Hood and Dorothy from ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ complete with tight corset frames and petticoat underbottoms remain common choices, according to Stuart.
“They like it when their butt or breasts hang out,” she said. Halloween seems to be getting more provocative for even younger patrons, local workers contend. Stuart said she’s witnessed younger girls “getting into the sexy thing”at Aahs!! Over at Secret Desires, Rivas said he was shocked to watch “Wizard Wanda,” a gray miniskirt with striped tie ensemble based off of the popular children’s book series “Harry Potter,” fly off the racks.
“It’s totally knocking on the school girl image,” he added. Some disapprove of the racy choices, like Sarah, a Santa Monica resident who declined to give her last name while out costume shopping. With the “Wizard Wanda” outfit toted under her arm, the woman appeared distressed as her mother stood disapproving to her side, eyeing her every choice.
“I wanted to be Alice in Wonderland,” Sarah sighed, “I have to wear my costume to work and everything out there is just so slutty. Halloween has just become so trashy.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on October 31, 2006. Read the original PDF.