What's too slutty to wear – even at Halloween?
Dear Straight Talk: I'm new at my high school and have fallen in with a popular crowd, so that's good. The problem is Halloween. I'm in shock over some of the outfits my girlfriends are planning to wear to our dance. I mean, it's normal to dress slutty for Halloween, but even I feel uncomfortable with a camel toe.
Am I being a prude? I want to fit in but I don't want to be considered a real slut, if you know what I mean. Where does your panel draw the line between "fun slutty" versus "too slutty" on Halloween? — Fashion Horrors
Maureen, 17, Redding: Slutty? Camel toes are simply bad taste! I don't dress slutty for Halloween, but some people find it the perfect occasion for the excuse. Bottom line: Don't wear anything you don't feel comfortable with. Tell your friends your mom won't allow it.
Jessie, 17, Ashland, Ore.: A camel toe is never a good look on anybody, so draw the line right there. Nowadays you can stand out by not dressing slutty.
Farren, 22, Redding: Camel toes? Camel toes aren't slutty, they're unattractive — even to guys! Girls get made fun of for that!
Ashley, 22, Auburn: Halloween has become an excuse for girls to dress slutty, but that doesn't mean you're forced into it. Basic rule: no body parts hanging out of clothing, nothing protruding or showing through.
Brie, 18, Ashland, Ore.: I love dressing up for Halloween, but it is hard to discern what is appropriate. Use this guide: If you would be embarrassed to be seen by your parents, their friends or a store clerk, it's too slutty.
Lara, 19, Moraga: Showing off your body and dressing slutty is totally OK on Halloween, but drawing the line where you're uncomfortable isn't being a prude: It's called respecting yourself! Even if you wear more clothes than your friends, if you act confident, you will get attention. No worries!
Katelyn, 14, Huntington Beach: I hate it when people dress slutty for Halloween. One, they could send the wrong message and be raped, and two, aren't they cold? The line between "fashionable slutty" versus "icky slutty" is when clothes are skin tight, you can see down a girl's shirt when she bends over or she's wearing 2-inch inseam shorts or skirts with high heels. Me, I'm wearing a full suit of armor that covers every part of my body.
Vanessa, 21, Galt: There are boundaries for everything. Yes, Halloween gives girls freedom to dress as they normally wouldn't, and they probably won't get a reputation for this one night, but I would never objectify myself in ways that make me uncomfortable, nor should you. If you'd rather stay covered up a little, compensate by doing your hair, makeup and accessories more wildly than normal.
Akasha, 15, Gold River: A camel toe may work for celebrities, but even there it's considered disgusting, slutty and something to laugh at. To know what's sexy but not slutty, look in clothing catalogs like Alloy or Victoria's Secret.
Scot, 22, San Luis Obispo: Halloween is a time to dress up and be something you're not. It's exciting to be scary, weird or taboo — which, these days, means slutty. But just because it's Halloween doesn't mean your outfit won't reflect on you or that people won't remember it.
Dear Fashion Horrors: Did we answer your question? Britney Spears and Paris Hilton may be adding to their fortunes by parading slutty looks, but unless you are currently a hotel-chain heiress or are touring for your new CD, a camel toe (and other inappropriate "revelations") will only give you one thing: a bad reputation. Yes, even on Halloween.
Lauren Forcella co-writes Straight Talk with a panel of 30 teens and young adults. To ask a question or become a panelist, click www.StraightTalkForTeens.com or write to P.O. Box 963, Fair Oaks, CA 95628.
