Sexy
Dorothy, sexy Tinman, sexy cop— Halloween costumes, these days, at
least for women, are all about the T & A. And more women look like
they’re turning tricks for treats. The recent explosion of racy women’s
costumes has spurred a furious debate. Some argue that it’s a gender
double standard: men get to look like real firemen, while an
ass-skimming, boobs-on-parade female version of the same puts a whole
new spin on the hose in her hand. Others, see the sexy movement as
empowering, and independent. And some complain that there’s just
nothing else out there.

But, isn’t the sexy-dress-up phenomenon just
the whole Madonna/Whore Complex being fought out on All Hallows Eve?
Women are torn. As Molly Ringwald said in The Breakfast Club, “If you
don’t, you’re a prude, if you do, you’re a slut.” For one night, at
least, women get to live out their whore complexes, in relative safety,
under the cover of a Halloween costume. So give us a god damn break.

Hollywood
Toys and Ozzie Dots both carry a line of sexy costumes by the LA-based
Leg Avenue. Twenty years ago Leg Avenue opened it doors in downtown Los
Angeles. The Tsai family had emigrated from Taiwan to Los Angeles and
started a humble hosiery wholesale business, importing stockings to the
US and selling them all over the fashion district. In 2000 they began
manufacturing costumes. They came up with a huge selection of really
well made pieces— wood nymphs with leaf skirts and gossamer wings and
Pirate wenches. But also a Rainbow Brite complete with rainbow leg
warmers and a mermaid with satin scales of varying shades of blue.
These are pieces that don’t look cheap and bare little resemblance to
the plastic, flame-retardant costumes your mom picked up last minute.
Below are some places that carry slutty costumes, as well as other more
prudish stuff and even outfits for men and children.

Trashy LingerieFor
the ladies only. Kind of. Stepping inside Trashy is like walking into a
Penthouse shoot. They’ve got lots of naughty costumes, but great
stockings and shoes, fancy hats, fake syringes and stethoscopes to go
with that nurse costume. This stuff might stick around long past
Halloween. Nudge, nudge, wink, wink.

402 N. La Cienega Boulevard, Los Angeles, (310) 652-4543, www.shop.trashy.com

Bizzy B This shop carries men’s costumes as well— the usual pirate, gladiator, vampire. Uh, it also carries a lot of vinyl and leather.

6548
Hollywood Blvd. Hollywood, (323) 469-4309 and 3101 Ocean Park Blvd.,
Santa Monica, (310) 396-9607, www.bizzybofhollywood.com

Hollywood Toys & Costumes“Do
you lack imagination? Don’t worry we can help,” claims their website.
This shop has much more than just sexy costumes: you can choose between
goth-horror costumes, superhero costumes, and classic halloween stuff
like the de rigueur mummies and witches, to name just a few. They also
have tons of wigs and capes and fake blood. Mens’ and children’s
costumes too.

6600 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, (888) 760-3330, www.hollywoodtoys.com

Ozzie DotsOwner
Daniel Hazen worked on H.R. Pufnstuf and the Bugaloos, so if anyone can
help you come up with something, he can. Besides Shirely Temple and
Little Bo Peeps, you can also find a large selection of nerd glasses,
cigarette holders and other accoutrements for your get-up. They also
sell men’s stuff. Shit out of luck with the kids though…

4637 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles (323) 663-2867 1 Block East of Vermont on Hollywood Blvd. at Rodney Drive. Next Door To Wacko.

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