The Romanticization of Fear: An Exploration of Aesthetics in Halloween Costumes
Written By Katherine Rubinstein
Death and disruption are what punctuate our existence. When aestheticized, the fear that these themes of fatality bring us, can be something powerful rather than paralyzing. Morphing fear into something romantic presents a sense of control that allows for the exploration of an intense emotional state, consequently finding meaning and beauty in eerie ambiguity. Halloween, in particular, gives us the opportunity to romanticize and celebrate fear. In the spirit of the holiday being right around the corner, I’ve categorized the aesthetic of fear into three different genres of costumes: the Gothic, the Magnificent, and the Enigmatic.
THE GOTHIC
Halloween is a time when society collectively embraces foreign themes, like death, monsters, and the supernatural – ideas normally suppressed or avoided. The power of encompassing fear and anonymity lets people engage with the taboo, reflecting real and prominent societal anxieties. For example, zombies, ghosts, or witches can mirror fears of plagues, death, and political upheaval. Gothic costumes present this interpretation of fear in a palatable and stylized manner, tapping into primal human fears of mortality and the unknown. Gothic costumes typically evoke traditionally terrifying figures, often playing with the uncanny as art. This would be through using makeup and accessories to create exaggerated, haunting features to visually distort the familiar. Each year, the Gothic style of costuming tends to include recent relevant horror films. This year, I predict these costumes, in addition to vampires, ghosts and the like, will include the monsters from Terrifier and Long Legs.
THE MAGNIFICENT
Building upon this exploration of fear, the Magnificent redefines how we perceive and engage with these elements, adding layers of fascination and allure. This is what I define as the Magnificent, a more developed version of the Gothic. The Magnificent is the seamless amalgamation of danger and attraction that dramatizes normalcy. This is seen in gothic architecture, art, and literature, much like the Romantic movement’s fascination with the power and majesty of nature. The dissonance between beauty and horror juxtapose the familiar allure of aesthetically pleasing elements with the unsettling nature of the grotesque. Halloween costumes I consider Magnificent can interchangeably either turn fear into a spectacle, or simply neglect fear altogether to draw people in. These costumes might represent familiar characters or archetypes, but more generally attempt to grasp explicit beauty. They can be sexy or cute, glamorous or simple, or just comfortable. This year, I think we’ll be seeing Magnificent costumes in pop stars, especially with Sabrina Carpenter, Charli xcx, Kesha and Chappell Roan.
THE ENIGMATIC
While the Magnificent draws us in with its beauty, the Enigmatic invites us to question and interpret, challenging our understanding of identity and fear. These are costumes that are to be interpreted, relying on imagination. A costume that is mysterious or hard to identify can evoke fear simply by not revealing its full nature. This ambiguity can create tension and unease, as onlookers may feel compelled to try and decipher what they’re seeing. Enigmatic costumes can be ones that incorporate a mask, wearing makeup, or something that otherwise completely disguise identity. They can also simply be niche or uncommon, like old internet meme references or general media that just isn’t as popular. The Enigmatic also encompasses humorous costumes, as they rely on interpretation and context to prove their purpose. This can make viewers feel uneasy and provoke fear of the unknown. A prominent depiction of the Enigmatic this year will be rave outfits. They can be ambiguous, allowing for allure in anonymity, whilst concealing identity to an extent. Rave outfits as Halloween costumes will be popular all over the country, yet can be identifiable as the Enigmatic at UW Madison due to the current social climate with the recent Fred again.. and John Summit concerts.
Edited By Hana Razvi, Mia Quigley, Olivia Daly, Sophia Buckholtz & Sophie Wilmerding
