The A.V. Club psychoanalyzes your Halloween costume ideas
What that Saw mask and sexy nurse outfit really says about you
Halloween is a rare chance to leave your normal, boring self behind. Piling on enough costume and make-up to make yourself unrecognizable to your own parents, you're free to act with social impunity. But as you're strutting around wearing little more than underwear and angel wings, or rocking the look of a celebrity before the ink on his or her death certificate is even dry, remember that dressing up and acting out might betray more about your personality than your day-to-day behavior does. Since going out on Halloween without dressing up is lame, you'll still have to get creative, so The A.V. Club offers this heads-up on some of the common trick-or-treat traits your costume might reveal about you.
Sexy version of anything
Normally consisting of nurse/cop/witch varieties for women (oh, oh, a skimpy scarecrow), the sexy costume can occasionally accommodate the guys, thanks to such options as the hot Scottish guy.
What you think it says about you: "I'm totally comfortable with my sexuality and while I got it, I'm going to flaunt it."
What it actually says: "I am pretty sure I want to hook up with someone. Also, I'm drunk enough to walk around outside wearing next to nothing in the middle of autumn and not really mind."
Overused pop-culture reference of the year
Last year it was hordes of Sarah Palins marching through the streets; maybe this year the Halloween parties will be stormed by thousands of '80s skateboarder-haircut-sporting Kate Gosselins. Who knows?
What you think it says about you: "I keep up to date on what's happening in the world and I have an ironic sense of humor."
What it actually says: "I like to get my news from Us Weekly and sometimes reach for more hard-hitting stuff like People."
Purposefully "scary"
Halloween is strictly about getting candy if you're a kid, and getting ripped if you're an adult. Trying to be scary on Halloween is as unnecessary as trying to be thankful on Thanksgiving.
What you think it says about you: "I'm going to show everyone the true meaning of Halloween by scaring the living shit out of them."
What it actually says: "I'm going to wear this Saw mask as a way to express my love for torture porn."
New parents out with baby
Having your first child can often be seen as an opportunity to start reliving your youth, plus it is likely the first time you have a companion small enough to effectively wear a Yoda costume.
What you think it says about you: "Halloween was a magical part of our childhoods and we couldn't wait to share it with our son or daughter."
What it actually says: "Even though we are both only 24 years old, we are both getting used to spending this otherwise fun holiday changing a tiny Chewbacca's diapers."
Recently deceased celebrity
Say what you will about it being too soon and insensitive, but dressing up like dead celebrities will always be mostly funny and appropriate considering the holiday. Points go to the best zombie Michael Jackson this year.
What you think it says about you: "I'm doing this out of respect for a celebrated individual."
What it actually says: "I'm doing this because I can't dig up this person's corpse and make it hang out at the party. If I could, I would."
Part of a group costume
Whether you're the Luigi to someone's Mario or Jesus leading around all 12 apostles, group costumes are models of teamwork and a great way to create coherence within your own posse on an otherwise completely random night.
What you think it says about you: "We are going to have to come together as a team to tackle this ultimate party holiday."
What it actually says: "We are a bunch of co-dependants and could only come up with one good idea between us."
