We originally posted about this six years ago. But, yep, they’re still selling it: The “Anna Rexia Dreamgirl” costume.
Copy reads: “You can never be too rich or too thin.” Costume comes with a measuring tape belt. In 2007, it was also featured in “plus size”:
H/t @RGWonser.
Lisa Wade, PhD is an Associate Professor at Tulane University. She is the author of American Hookup, a book about college sexual culture; a textbook about gender; and a forthcoming introductory text: Terrible Magnificent Sociology. You can follow her on Twitter and Instagram.
Comments 18
baltreporter — October 22, 2007
Hi,
I'm Tanika White, a reporter at the Baltimore Sun. I've been perusing the Sociological Images website and came across a posting about a Halloween costume that pokes fun at anorexia. I was wondering if one of the site's organizers would be available for comment today -- as I am writing about that very costume. I'd only need a few minutes by phone.
Please call or e-mail when you have a chance.
Thanks so much,
Tanika White
410-468-2638
tanika.white@baltsun.com
Luckyluckygirl — October 28, 2009
I know I'm off topic here, but I think this is a really cute dress, and would be a cute plus size way to do a skeleton costume. On the plus model, it doesn't look like it would show butt or copious amounts of cleavage. Too bad the execution is so offensive.
Donalda Goncalves — October 23, 2011
Sad and not funny. Is there a costume for Ass Burgers or AD/HD? WTF. Not to mention all the "sexy" costumes for women and little girls. There's something very wrong going on in this culture. WRONG.
G. — October 30, 2013
Nicholas Rogers, in Halloween: From Pagan Ritual to Party Night, spends some time discussing the ways Halloween can function as a sort of social release valve, allowing opportunities for social satire and misrule. My first thought, when hearing about this costume from a friend, was that if done correctly it would be perfect for commenting on negative body images, the pressures women face to be thin, etc. etc. Too bad it's not done correctly. What a potentially awesome, creative, and subversive idea gone wrong.
pepe_br99 — November 3, 2013
I woulda thought the professional victims would laud this costume for bringing anorexia awareness or something.
Man, your persecution complex is really complex.