Halloween — it's that time of year when everyone eats all the candy without feeling the tiniest bit guilty. Of course, it's also the time of year when everyone dresses up in costumes.
Plus-size women often have trouble shopping for cute clothes for days that are not Oct. 31, but it turns out it can suck finding Halloween costumes that fit, too.
'Cause did you know that plenty of "plus-size" Halloween costumes come in ONE SIZE ONLY?!?!
These two photos are of the same costume, but there is only one size listed for plus-size women.
So a group of plus-size women decided to try on some plus-size costumes from Party City to see just how well they'd fit. Here's how that tragedy played out:
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First up was Sheridan, 5'11" and a size 16-18 in everyday clothes. She's dressed up as a mouse for the past three years straight. She tried on the Adult Hot SWAT Costume.
Sheridan: I'm gonna be honest, I chose this costume because I have a weird obsession with the terrible-but-amazing film S.W.A.T. with Samuel L. Jackson (admit it: We all used to have a thing for Colin Farrell). But yeah, this is pretty much the worst. If you've ever wanted to know what it's like to sweat under a thin piece of itchy fabric, then congrats, I have the perfect outfit for you! With all sincerity, I support the fact that some people will actually wear this on Halloween.*
*I'm only saying this because I once spent 18 hours straight playing The Sims so I'm really not in a position to judge anyone's life decisions.
Then Kristin tried on her Adult Stormtrooper Costume, getting out of her comfort zone, since she usually doesn't dress up for Halloween. She's an 18 in her non-costume clothes and 5'3".
Kristin: I picked this one because I figured I could get out of wearing a sexy Halloween costume by just shoving myself into a suit of armor. But: NO. This is definitely a cling-to-yo-butt bodysuit. It actually wouldn't fit me if I was any taller. I kept watching the crotch on the costume to make sure it didn't escape inside me. THAT SAID: It's silky AF, and once I got it on, I was having a pretty good time — I just don't want to see any pictures of me in it.
Kelsey Rose, a lover of all things Halloween, wore the Adult Dreamboat Sailor Costume. When she's not dressing up for her favorite holiday of the year, she's a size 14-16 and 5'10".
Kelsey Rose: I felt like a giant blueberry in this outfit and TBH was super bummed! I absolutely LOVE Halloween, but this costume really took the joy out of it. The tutu was WAY too short, and the boyshorts made me feel like I was wearing a diaper. While the corset top wasn't terrible...the whole getup required a lot of readjusting, so I can't imagine it being comfortable at a party or out and about on Halloween. I like the idea of being a cute sailor, but the ship has sailed on this being a cute costume.
Finally, Jazzmyne, who's 5'11½" and a size 20, tried on the Adult PURRvocative Cat Costume.
Jazzmyne: I was rather excited to be a cat, because I love cats, but I knew not to get my hopes up with this "plus-size" costume. I mean, I can barely find clothes I like in the store that are labeled "plus-size" because they never fit correctly, so I just assumed that this wouldn't fit at all. This costume felt terrible. Even if I would have fit into it properly, that baby would have busted one way or another because it was such cheap material. I feel like if I really wanted to be a "Purrvocative Cat," I would probably buy a suit made of nicer material so I could rewear it. I will not say that I HATED THIS SUIT, but I absolutely would not recommend it to anyone who is plus-size.
At the end of the day, Kristin was pretty much the only one even remotely happy with her costume's fit.
Sheridan: I don't understand a lot of things: people who will wait in line for 45 minutes for a food truck, people who say that "racism isn't really a thing anymore," and Hollywood's 10 million superhero reboots. But I truly do not understand why anyone would think having one size for all plus-size women is a good fucking idea. Women are allowed to be whatever size they want; it'd be nice if there were clothing options representative of that.
Kelsey Rose: I think the world is still struggling with understanding the plus-size body and this is a perfect example! The costume didn't fit my body shape, and I felt like I would be constantly picking out boyshort wedgies. Halloween should be fun, and this costume was NOT FUN. If the tutu was longer and actually covered a portion of my behind-y and the top had straps, there **COULD** be some redeemable qualities, but at the end of the day, I don't think I'll be being a Dreamboat Diva for Halloween this year.
Kristin: I'd still prefer actual armor, but on the plus side, this is easier for me to get out of in case I crash-land on Jakku and need to make a really quick escape. Also, armor pieces would it make it possible for someone taller than me to feel the dark side of the Force, as well. But for 5'3'' me: I think I got the good end of the deal.
Jazzmyne: I think it is ridiculous that there are not more sizes, especially at a huge surplus store like Party City. It still blows my mind that whoever is making these just isn't understanding that there's more than one body type — it's not like Halloween sneaks up on us or anything...it's the same time every damn year. SO MAKE MORE OPTIONS.
Happy Halloween!
