With Halloween just around the corner, I suspect many students have already bought and finalized their festive costumes. Some go for a look that accentuates their beauty, while others go for a costume that is sure to get a few laughs. I have always felt both approaches to this spooky holiday are equally creative, but in the past few years, I have noticed a cultural preference that is unsettling.

I have always been a girl who loves to make people laugh, and my Halloween costumes have reflected this. From Sue Sylvester from “Glee” to Benjamin Franklin, having the most unique attire brought me and my friends copious amounts of joy.

Sure, there were a few people who seemed to think it was over the top and weird, but isn’t that everything Halloween is supposed to represent? I didn’t let it get to me and continued to be my authentic self until I noticed most of the people who had a problem with the way I dressed were men. 

I recognized most of my guy friends who would talk to me in other social situations avoided me at costume parties, but I assumed there was no specific reason for it. They would smile and wave then proceed to act like they didn’t know me for the rest of the night. I never thought anything of it until a guy who I was interested in told me I was “too loud” and “annoying” at parties and that I needed to take it down a few notches.

Ouch. 

This came as a huge surprise to me because all of my closest friends always told me how much they liked my costumes and how excited they were to see what I would wear next year.

It also surprised me when I saw the same guys who told me I did “too much” for Halloween, then praise their male friends for going above and beyond for their costumes. This made me wonder if wearing a funny Halloween costume as a girl was socially unacceptable. 

I started to notice a pattern, not just during Halloween but in my everyday life, of men shunning and isolating women who try to be funny, loud or outspoken.

It’s not news these traits are often valued in men and underappreciated in women, but it is so bizarre to me this sexist mentality extended all the way to Halloween costumes. 

Women are constantly put under pressure to act sensible and proper. Most of us are taught as children that being bold or proud is not desirable in young ladies. For me, Halloween was the one time of year I got to express myself. 

I asked some college friends how they felt about this issue, and one girl’s experiences really spoke to me. She essentially said her boyfriend really wanted to do a funny couple’s costume this year, but she was too nervous to go through with it. She feared being labeled as “weird” or “strange” by her boyfriend’s friend group, so she decided a more feminine approach was safer. She ended up picking an adorable costume that she loves.

I couldn’t be happier for her, but should she have to limit her options?

Women should be allowed to pick a funny or cute Halloween costume without worrying about the social repercussions. Everyone deserves to feel proud of the outfit that took them a lot of time and effort to put together. Wearing a funny costume is all about spreading positivity in the little ways you can, and it definitely should not be reserved for one gender.

Whether you decide to dress as a bunny or Mr. Worldwide, the most important thing is feeling comfortable in your own skin.

So pick the costume that makes you feel confident, and don’t worry about what others think. Halloween is the perfect time to express yourself and go above and beyond – so be you!

Hannah Bulgrin is an opinion writer. Contact her at [email protected].