It's not too late: Feminist Halloween Costumes

Social Commentary post by Kjerstin Johnson, October 30, 2009 - 10:55pm; tagged costumes, feminist celebrities, halloween.

Sure, there's Rosie, Lady Gaga, and this lovely list of pun-tastic pro-choice outfits for you to choose from, but it still seems like it's hard for feminists to get a break on Halloween! Here are some suggestions from the Bitch Media office....

Peggy Hill

Jennifer K. Stuller called this Arlen, TX native "the most empowered and progressive of cartoon women" (and she hasn't posed for Playboy!). Cattle ranching, roller derby, and mothering are just some of Peggy Hill's pastimes.

Costume: "mom" jeans, 80s glasses, Spanish textbook

You might also consider: Daria Morgendorffer

Guerilla Girl

Hitting the art world where it hurts since 1985, this undercover group of activists is any easy outfit with a message!

Costume: black clothes, gorilla mask, name of rad female artist (or, if you really want to make a statement, go as Venus de Milo with a gorilla mask!)

You might also consider: actually dressing like a rad female artist, such as Frida Kahlo

Angela Davis

Black Power activist, political prisoner, academic. This is an especially frightening outfit...if you're the FBI circa 1970.

Costume: megaphone, hoop earrings, Afro, broken handcuffs (it's a metaphor!)

You might also consider: Dolores Huerta (see: America Ferrera)

Gloria Steinem... undercover as a Playboy Bunny

That's right. The Sexy Feminist Costume.

You might consid---OH IS YOUR MIND STILL BLOWN?

Ida B. Wells

This 19th century anti-lynching activist worked tirelessly, and co-founded the NAACP as well as advocating for women's right to vote.

Costume: Old-timey clothes (frilly collar, long skirt, etc.), newspaper (Check out this awesome Ida job!)

You might also consider: Emma Goldman

Ellen Ripley

Kick-ass or treat! Aliens, parasites, and insubordinate spaceship members will quake at your feet.

Costume: white tee, fatigue pants, ginormous automatic weapon

You might also consider: G.I Jane

Hopey and Maggie
Ghostworld's Enid and Rebecca are so five years ago! Why not go as this invincible Cali duo from Jaimie Hernandez's Love and Rockets?

Costume: Hopey: crust punk tee, ripped black pants, trench coat. Maggie: tight pants to show off curves, heart on sleeve (optional)

You might also consider: Tank Girl

Jem and the Holograms

If you're feeling especially ambitious and creative, grab some friends and go as this '80s cartoon rock band (...it's doable!)

Costume: make-up, hair dye/wigs, colorful blazer, keytar, GLITTER. LOTS OF GLITTER.

You might also consider: the Powerpuff girls

What feminist figure are YOU going as this Halloween? Share your costume, photos, and tips below! Have a good weekend and Happy Halloween!

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Comments

16 comments have been made. Post a comment.

I'm going as Buffy the

Posted by Anonymous (not verified) on October 31, 2009 - 10:26am

I'm going as Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

The Patriarchy

Posted by Mae (not verified) on October 31, 2009 - 12:10pm

My girlfriend and I are going as the patriarchy. I'll be wearing a skirt, pearls, and apron and holding a tray of cookies and she will be in a suit and tie carrying around The Wall Street Journal. I'll be saying a lot of, "Yes, Dear"s.

Xena, Warrior Princess and Gabrielle

Posted by kind one (not verified) on October 31, 2009 - 3:47pm

That's what me and my friend are going to a party as. We were so into that show around 10 years' ago.

Xena!

Posted by Anonymous (not verified) on October 31, 2009 - 6:42pm

Xena!

I was a nuva-ring, as was

Posted by Megan (not verified) on October 31, 2009 - 6:54pm

I was a nuva-ring, as was suggested on a list of pro-choice costumes that Bitch linked to; I wore all pink and carried a hula hoop with me. But yesterday, at a party, I saw the most horrifyingly anti-feminist costume. A girl wore a nude leotard, with red paint (blood) hand prints on the body and over the nipples of the leotard. When asked what she was, she replied, "a dead rape victim."
WHAT would possess a woman to do that? It was terrible.

I've noticed that some

Posted by Emily (not verified) on October 31, 2009 - 7:55pm

I've noticed that some people think it's cute to go as things like dead rape victims. I recently went to a party where a girl dressed as a "battered housewife" and was all "heheheh" about it, instead of maybe.. I don't know, putting a positive spin on it (if you can?) and educating about the issue. It was... UGH.

I was actually a zombie

Posted by Anonymous (not verified) on November 1, 2009 - 2:12am

I was actually a zombie retro housewife tonight, and 2 people asked me if I was a battered housewife! I was like... who would make that into a costume seriously? that's horrible. I didn't know people were doing that on purpose...

Taarna from Heavy Metal

Posted by Anonymous (not verified) on October 31, 2009 - 8:12pm

I would go either as Sechmet the lion headed goddess, or Taarna from the original Heavy Metal movie. Both of those bitches kick butt.

I was totally a PowerPuff Girl

Posted by Claire (not verified) on October 31, 2009 - 8:52pm

My friends and I last year did PowerPuff. I had to be Blossom as I was the only one with long enough hair. This year has been Rosie the Riveter (should be done at least once) and Maid Marian, but my Robin Hood is a girl so I still got to subvert the system in a full length medieval dress.

The goal is to either be Wonder Woman (should also be done at least once) or Princess Leia/ Padme Amadala next year. Preferably in one of their more kickass outfits.