I really like Halloween, but just like everything else, corporations (and in this case, I mean the costume companies) can take something good and fun and turn it into something ridiculous.

I have always loved Halloween, mainly because you have an excuse to eat lots of candy, but also because it falls at one of my favorite times of year – fall.

When I was younger, my parents would get my brother and I all dressed up in whatever costume that represented what we were into at that time and we would set out for my grandparents’ houses and for downtown Russellville to trick-or-treat.

I loved getting dressed up and having the opportunity to transform into something else for one night. Over the years I have been a pumpkin, a clown, a princess, a witch, Princess Leia, a black cat, a vampire and my personal favorite was the year I dressed up as Colonel Sanders and my husband went as a chicken.

Dressing up and playing pretend can be fun for people of all ages, so I definitely believe Halloween costumes should be worn by adults as well.

But since when did Halloween become a time to prance around half-naked in public?

I was browsing through costumes earlier this week (just in case I decided to dress up this year) and I could barely find anything that shouldn’t just be classified as underwear.

Costume companies have turned any and every costume for women into something low-cut with an accompanying mini-mini skirt, and I mean everything.

I bet you thought an Elmo costume would be a safe bet if you didn’t want to bare it all on Halloween night, right? Think again. Sesame Street was known for getting kids to use their imaginations, but that furry red dress leaves little to the imagination.

Want to pay tribute to one of our nation’s greatest presidents? Well you’re in luck! You can go as Baberaham Lincoln, complete with a tiny suit vest, fishnet stockings and, of course, a beard and top hat.

What?!

Even something as modest as a nun’s outfit has been cut way past mid-thigh and way lower than the Pope would ever have approved of.

What ever happened to women along the way to make them have such little respect for themselves that they would be willing to wear next to nothing just for the sake of a holiday?

What ever happened to just letting something be about good, clean fun?

With so many ridiculous costumes available each year, I’m starting to think we would be better served to stay at home on Halloween and watch Hocus Pocus for the third time. At least the costumes in that movie wouldn’t make Hugh Hefner blush.