Halloween 2023: A Horror or A Hit?
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Warning: This article may contain strong opinions and spooky shenanigans. Proceed with caution.
It’s November. Halloween has officially made its exit. A long-awaited time of year, gone in an instant. I’ll be in mourning until 2024. But for now, let’s look at what 2023 brought us. I would say there were definitely some tricks and some treats.
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I hereby announce the Official 2023 Halloween Review! This includes a subjective overview of what we did right, what we did wrong, costumes I loved, and costumes I never want to see again … respectfully.
Let's get into it! First off, I want to point out the activities I saw us doing and how we frolicked about the town. One thing we always do right here in Tallahassee is frolic. And be feral. But that’s part of the Tally charm!
Going out is a classic option and tends to be successful. However, I must make a note of how the entirety of America decides to join us for “Talloween”. To make matters worse, everyone is in that one corset from Amazon and fishnets. I couldn’t point anyone out even if I wanted to. I know, your entire friend group has to visit, but maybe leave some room for the rest of us … who actually live here.
Rating: either 0/10 or 10/10. No in-between.
Next, there’s house parties/social gatherings. This year, there wasn’t a lack of subdued and chill events. If you wanted to vibe, this was definitely the move. I’d argue on Halloween weekend, this option reigns supreme to a typical night out. This leaves room for some guaranteed cute photo ops. Plus, more fashionable outfits because the worry of becoming sweaty, losing your stuff, and having drinks spilled is drastically decreased! Frat shoes are a no-go for these nights.
Rating: 9/10
Thirdly, Halloween time has some wholesome activities! October always feels like a whirlwind, with barely any time to participate in Halloween-themed activities. Visiting a pumpkin patch, watching Halloweentown or Coraline (whatever is more your speed), or even having a candy apple for Christ's sake! For these sweeter moments, I saw people bring out their Fall best. Brown leather, cherry red accessories, knee-high and mid-calf boots, and sweaters that feel like a hug. Classy meets funky.
Rating: 10/10 when us college students have time to even go.
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Next up, the juiciest component of Halloween…costumes! I have to say, this year was especially impressive. I saw it all. Lots of Loraxes and Codys from Surf’s Up roamed the streets, but not in Tallahassee. As a community, we need to step it up. I want costumes that make me giggle, give me joy, and give me ideas for next year.
In all honesty, some costumes are overdone. Please stop dressing as animals. I get it! It’s easy, it’s cute. But is it really giving? At the very least, we can take a basic idea and give it a twist: whether it be through specific pieces, makeup, hair, etc. Don’t just be a cat. Be the cat.
Rating: 3/10
Similarly, something I have to ask—why are people still dressing up as professions? Do you mean to tell me people still wake up and choose to be a construction worker for Halloween? Or, even better, wear a jumpsuit and mask and be unidentifiable. Can we also unpack the irony of dressing up as law enforcement while hitting the town? … Guys. We are better than this!
Rating: 2/10
I totally see the appeal of a schoolgirl, the Joker, a skeleton, a nerd, angels, and devils … I’ll hand it to ya, it can be a serve! But generally speaking, there's a million of you roaming around. It’s overhyped. Nothing new. If this is your costume, elevate it. Style it. Commit to the bit! Being sexy is not the only option, I promise.
Rating: 4/10
Now, some Halloween participants surprised me. Hooray for originality! Congratulations! I saw Oompa Loompas, the Blue Man Group, Guy Fieri, Candyland, Care Bears, Magic Mike, Frozone, and Princess Mia … These all get a round of applause! This year, I also loved various couple costumes like Bo Peep and Sheep, Rick and Morty, Nick Wilde and Judy Hops, Woody and Jessie, Anakin and Padme, and Linguini and Ratatouille. And of course, Barbie and Ken. This is the flavor I’m talking about!
Rating: 10/10
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Well, folks, we’ve reached the end of the review and it’s time for … drumroll please … the rating! Spooky, I know.
Overall rating: 10/10! (I’m giving us an A for effort.)
This year wasn’t exactly the Barbieween we all expected. But it was ours.
We conquered, we served, we did not come to play—even if our costumes weren't a slay.
As long as we all had fun, made some memories, ate some candy, and got into the spirit, what more can we ask for? We now know how to step it up for next year. We will be bigger and better. And just maybe, we’ll be (k)enough.
Halloween 2023 is one for the books; consider it a hit!
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Strike Out,
Writer: Dani Hernandez
Editor: Cristina Angee
Tallahassee