A Website Has Had To Take Down This ‘Sexy Handmaid’s Tale’ Costume

It’s nearly October, which means the sexy Halloween costume providers are awaking from their year-long slumber. There’s always one controversial ‘sexy’ costume, and this year, it’s a real doozy.

Online retailer Yandy has come under fire for selling a ‘Sexy Handmaid’ (or ‘Brave Red Maiden’, as they call it) costume. Yeah. Sexy Handmaid.

In case you’re unaware, The Handmaid’s Tale is a TV series set in a totalitarian society where fertility rates have dropped, leading to fertile women (or ‘handmaids’) being forced to bear children for wealthy families.

Handmaids are required to wear a uniform of red robes and a white bonnet to denote their status, and have to take the name of the high-ranking man they serve (the lead character ‘belongs’ to a man called Fred, so her name is Offred).

When the first season aired, viewers commented that the scenario didn’t seem quite so far-fetched in the era of President Trump. In fact, both here in Ireland and in America, women have worn non-sexy Handmaid costumes as a protest against restrictions to reproductive rights.

It certainly ain’t sexy! Yandy attempted to inject some feminism into their description of the $64.95 costume, but it falls just a bit flat:

An upsetting dystopian future has emerged where women no longer have a say. However, we say be bold and speak your mind in this exclusive Brave Red Maiden costume, featuring a red mini dress, a matching cloak with an attached hood, and a white bonnet headpiece.

Unsurprisingly, there has been uproar.

https://twitter.com/JessicaValenti/status/1042931440755781633

why is there a sexy handmaids tale halloween costume? why?! 😑

— jade a. 🪐 (@songsaboutjade) September 20, 2018

If I see anyone in a sexy handmaids tale costume this year I will throw my drink at you

— no 1 biblical angel (@JaneAusten316) September 20, 2018

In response, Yandy has removed the costume from sale, and released a statement explaining the decision:

Yandy always has stood, and will continue to stand, at the forefront of encouraging our customers to ‘Own Your Sexy’. We support our customers being comfortable in their skin, regardless of who they are or what they choose to wear. Our corporate ideology is rooted in female empowerment, and gender empowerment overall.

“Over the last few hours, it has become obvious that our ‘Yandy Brave Red Maiden’ costume is being seen as a symbol of women’s oppression, rather than an expression of women’s empowerment. This is unfortunate, as it was not our intention on any level.”

Yandy claims the inspiration for the costume came from seeing it used as a protest, which leads us to believe that someone in there completely missed the point of the protests. Can’t wait to dress up as a Sexy Eighth Amendment come October 31!

• halloween costume
• the handmaid's tale