By Alisha Giampola (writer/performer)
So it's almost Halloween, and you're interested in going as this year's most topical costume, a Nasty Woman. You might even have a Bad Hombre or two to take pictures with! This is pretty much the only political Halloween costume I'm interested in everyone I know dressing up as this year, so let me help you narrow down all the possible bad ass Nasty Women of American History that you could choose to go as. (If you missed the 3rd presidential debate and somehow have no idea what I'm talking about, please avail yourself.)
ANGELICA SCHUYLER
As my favorite 6 year old recently said to me: "Shisha, don't you wish you could vote for Alexander Hamilton for president?" So while you're working on that time machine to bring back our most woke founding father to provide a viable third candidate (is it too late to change my party affiliation to 'Federalist'?), you might as well pay tribute to one of Hamilton's fantastic female characters. This doubles as a possible group costume if you have a couple other nasty lady friends you're hitting the town with on Halloween. What you need to pull this costume off: An absolutely fantastic pink silk authentic colonial era ballgown. If you can't track one down, may we recommend just snapping your finger in the air all night and saying "WERK"?
JUSTICE RUTH BADER GINSBURG
I mean, obviously. The Notorious RBG is a delightfully easy and comfortable costume. Trump had some choice words to say about RBG as well during the last debate...likely because she's such a Nasty Woman. While he's busy keeping the foundation of America's democracy "in suspense", you can pass the time rounding up a black robe, white lace cravat, and crown. Bonus points for bun, gavel, glasses and pocket Constitution.
HARRIET TUBMAN
Being one of history's most interesting spies is a great Nasty Woman costume idea. You'll need a headwrap, shawl, posse of Union soldiers and some $20 dollar bills. Speaking of, this makes a fantastic couples costume if you can round up a grumpy Andrew Jackson with his own handful of twenties to be your bad hombre for the evening.
HILLARY CLINTON
Of course, you can always go as the original inspiration for this entire concept. All you need is a pantsuit, really. Bonus points for the blonde mom-hair. Even more meta might be to go as Kate McKinnon's genius impression of her... we'll leave it up to you to figure out how to convey that.
SUFFRAGETTE
A lot of Trump supporters on the internet have been calling for a repeal of the 19th Amendment, so what's more relevant than going as an original fighter for women's right to vote? Really all you need is a skirt, a throaty Glynis Johns vibrato (preferably), and a picket sign that says "Votes For Women". There's also always the option to get really controversial and be Ironic Sexy 19th Amendment, just print it out and pin it strategically to your underwear.
ABIGAIL ADAMS
This first lady famously wrote to her husband and all of Congress the words: "Remember all Men would be tyrants if they could. If particular care and attention is not paid to the Ladies we are determined to foment a Rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any Laws in which we have no voice, or Representation." WERK, Abigail. What do you need to costume yourself as this original founding woman of female rights and anti-slavery? I guess if you can't actually BE Laura Linney, the next best thing is to get that sweet hat.
ELEANOR ROOSEVELT and LORENA HICKOK
She wasn't publicly out during her lifetime, but if you're looking for a good same-sex couples costume that exemplifies the Nasty Woman point of view, you can't do better than one of America's most beloved first ladies and her long-time lover. To pull it off, the two of you will need some finger waves, pearls, cigarettes, and absolutely no PDA.
THE 2016 U.S. OLYMPIC GYMNASTICS TEAM
Simone Biles firmly stated this summer after becoming, arguably, the best Olympic gymnast of all time, "I’m not the next Usain Bolt or Michael Phelps, I’m the first Simone Biles," and immediately became the world's tiniest feminist hero. If you and your squad want to roll up as these strong ladies, you'll need some red white and blue leotards, a whole lot of confidence, and hair/eye glitter. SO MUCH GLITTER.
JANET JACKSON
It's the obvious choice, and begs the question "how will you get the song 'Nasty' to play in the background everywhere you go", but it's still a great costume: military inspired jacket, huge side-fall of curls... and if everyone mistakenly thinks you're Beyoncé, it still works.
ALISHA GIAMPOLA is an NYC based actor/teacher/writer who is proud to be a very nasty woman.
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