Turning Tricks, or 'Trick or Treat'?

Two groups are fighting back

(NEWSER) - Before you don your Halloween costume tomorrow, consider this: Is it offensive? Two groups are fighting back against costumes they consider racist or sexist:

• Ohio University's Students Teaching About Racism in Society (STARS) created a campaign with the headline, "We’re a culture, not a costume." Students are featured in ads that protest stereotype-driven costumes, like an Arab terrorist. See examples on Adweek , or check out the meme that’s since spawned here .

Now you actually can wear lingerie for Halloween!

(NEWSER) - In the world of Victoria’s Secret, Halloween costumes aren’t called Halloween costumes: They’re called “Sexy Little Fantasies.” The lingerie giant launched the costume line this year, and, not surprisingly, there are absolutely no un-sexy offerings—so if you were hoping to dress up as the VS Abominable Snowman, you’re out of luck. If, however, you have $198 to spend on a “Sexy Little Bride” costume, it's got you covered (or, as the case may be, uncovered). See the full collection, including “Sexy Little Nurse” and “Sexy Little Air Hostess,” here . More»

If you can afford it, it may get you an appearance on Letterman...

(NEWSER) - The Daily Mail may have just uncovered the world’s most expensive Halloween costume: Behold the “Human Slinky,” which you can buy right now on eBay … provided you have $1 million. But hey, at least the shipping is free! The costume, apparently made famous in some circles by a performer named Veniamin, has, according to the eBay listing, appeared on TV shows including the Late Show With David Letterman, The View, and America’s Got Talent. More»

Want people to talk about your outfit? Start here

(NEWSER) - Why dress up as a maid or a construction worker when you can instead construct a Halloween costume that’s relevant to our times? Time offers up a list of ideas, complete with instructions:

• Pregnant Beyonce: Grab yourself a fake baby bump (unless, of course, you’re already pregnant) and a brightly-colored unitard like she wears in her “Countdown” video , then “place both hands on the bump and grin radiantly.”
• A GOP presidential candidate: You can choose any, but the Michele Bachmann costume is particularly simple: Just fashion a mask from her infamous Newsweek cover , then “walk around overly wide-eyed, like you just drank a coffeemaker.”

It all started in Greenwich Village in the '70s

(NEWSER) - Ever wondered when Halloween shifted from spooky to sexy? Somewhere in the 1970s, explains Juliet Lapidos for Slate. New York’s Greenwich Village launched its annual Halloween parade in 1973, an event that quickly became popular among the local gay community, who largely attended in drag and other sexy outfits. The parade gained national fame and imitators sprung up. Retailers took note and began to push ever-bawdier costumes. More»