It's all relative.....
Too often a simple question gets asked, that with the amount of differing opinions from the readers, allows for over thinking and over analyzing. Often there are many simple answers that get overlooked in the answering process. In my opinion, Halloween is all relative to the individual. For children, it is a time to dress up and get enough candy for a full-on tummy ache. For parents, it is to take the little ones trick-or-treating or to hand out treats of their own.
Adults have their own options as well. To dress up for work or not...to dress sexy or fun, go clubbing or enter a contest? To get a packaged costume or make one up themselves. Many of us wonder if the pre-packaged costumes are too sexy. Are they demeaning to women? If you look at one and feel it is too sexy for you to wear--then avoid it. There are others who will love it. If it is in any way demeaning to you personally--there are many that it will be liberating for, look elsewhere. Make your own. You do not need to sew. Go to a thrift store, look in your own or a friend's closet, and go to a department store and grab items that will complete the look you want.
Should you dress sexy if taking children out trick or treating? Probably not. This would fall into the realm of tactfulness and being discreet, not full on adult and sexy. Tone it down for family events and let it shine for adult related contests, clubs and other Halloween events.
For those of us who do not celebrate the event--don't egg our houses. We just are not into the frivolity for personal or other reasons. Maybe the day has sad connotations for us and we are unable to find happiness to celebrate, or religious aspects that we do not wish to share or bring up in public. Respecting each other and the tone which we set for our Halloween is the key.
Lets be an adult about the holiday--do not look for hidden meanings, do not be quick to judge and learn to live and let live. We can all agree that when an issue is forced upon us--no one wins. Actually it does make the matter so much worse. So if you think costumes are too sexy-go to a venue that carries more circumspect offerings. If you want more realistic costumes, make one yourself. If you do not wish to participate--stay home in bed and enjoy your new toys. Okay--that is my Halloween wish, but still...
Halloween, like every other holiday, is meant to be celebrated in various ways by those who choose to celebrate. Do not over think the connotations, the costumes or the people who choose to enjoy the celebrations. Relax, have fun your own way and let the rest of the world go on about their way. Reserve judgement for those occasions that really matter in the long run, not just one night of fun...