9/11/06 Who wants to be "sexy Carebear"?

I've been going through the mass-market, completely unoriginal, Super Halloween costume websites looking for inspiration. I'm hoping that something will spark an idea that I can then make myself. I'm noticing a disturbing trend in the costume selection this year though. All the women's costumes are "sexy" costumes. They all have short skirts and midriff tops and high heels. You can't be a pirate, you have to be a sexy pirate. You can't be a queen, you have to be a sexy queen. You can't be a witch, you have to be a sexy witch. Even things that have no business being sexy are now sexy. (Storybook characters, for instance. Quit warping my childhood people!) That's all well and good, except that I can't be a sexy anything at work. I have a dress code, and even if I didn't, I can't show up as Sexy Evil Vixen Fairy and still have my co-workers treat me with an iota of professionalism. (As sadly evidenced by the girl last year who though "Hooters girl" would make a good work costume). And don't get me started on the freakish "Fairy" division. Pop wings on anything, and viola! Instant Fairy. There are woodland fairies, imp fairies, nature fairies, Green foilage fairies, spider fairies, Evil fairies, midnight fairies, colonoscopy fairies, IRS fairies, three-fingered carnival worker fairies, the list goes on and on.