Just because you can, it doesn't mean you should.
It's solid advice, yet so many don't heed it when it comes to Halloween.
Every year, people dream up ever more offensive costumes designed to shock, provoke and make sick minds chuckle.
In 2013, we saw costumes of Trayvon Martin, an Asiana Airlines pilot and — shudder — a Boston Marathon victim.
And this year, we're sad to say, isn't looking much better.
Here are some offensive costumes that you definitely shouldn't wear this Halloween.
(Allegations of child abuse with a switch are no laughing matter.)
(No, you shouldn't dress like this — not at music festivals, and not anywhere else.)
(Not particularly topical, and not the most offensive on this list, but still terrible.)
(This seemed like a fun idea a few months ago. But since the mayor was diagnosed with cancer, it's best to leave it on the shelf.)
(Truth be told, Joan might have laughed at this idea herself. But given her death and its disturbing circumstances, it's best to not bother.)
(We'd love to meet the person who thought this was a good idea. Actually, no, we wouldn't.)
(Dressing up as SWAT is generally OK. Dressing up as SWAT from Ferguson is not.)
(As a smart tweet once said, mental illness is not a spectator sport.)
(This costume seems to keep coming back despite efforts to ban it.)
ALSO ON HUFFPOST:
Last-Minute Halloween Costumes
Silent Movie Actor(01 of133)
Cover your face with black and white makeup, spray your hair black, and put on a black suit with a white shirt. Easy and clever. (credit:Shrimp Salad Circus)
Grumpy Cat(02 of133)
Memes are great costume fodder, and you can pull off this one with makeup, kitty ears, and something beige and comfortable. Adorable and cozy, all at once. (credit:The Official Guide to Spring Break)
Closed National Monument(03 of133)
Get relevant with this costume that references the U.S. government shutdown: dress as your favourite national U.S. monument, or as a park ranger, and then hang a CLOSED sign around your neck. (credit:MTV Style)
Orange Is the New Black(04 of133)
This breakout Netflix show makes an easy enough costume for most women if you just get orange scrubs and white sneakers, but we like this as a group costume that includes Piper, Red, Taystee, Poussey, Crazy Eyes, Sophia, Pennsatucky, Alex...really, as many of these awesome characters as possible. For a much cheaper spin on designer prison duds, check out this uniform shop. (credit:Marie Claire)
Bacon and Eggs(05 of133)
This couple costume is made with inexpensive felt. If you can't sew, you can use fusing tape and an iron to put this one together. Have a third person you need a costume for? Cut two circles of beige felt and you've got a pancake! (credit:Makezine)
Paint Chip(06 of133)
Here's one you can make with $5 and a trip to the dollar store with poster board, string, and some paint. If you've got a group, each of you can pick a colour to represent. (credit:HandMakeMyDay)
Popcorn Vendor(08 of133)
Got a baby and a baby carrier? Then you're most of the way towards this great costume idea. Might as well dress them up in silly outfits while you still get all the say in the matter. (credit:Pinterest/facilysencillo)
Lichtenstein Drawing(09 of133)
If you're patient enough to apply all those dots, you can have a creative costume with just some basic makeup and black clothing. (credit:Pinterest/Beth Goolsby)
Annie Hall(10 of133)
Another thrift-store special, courtesy of a visit to the menswear section. If you shop well, you'll be able to add the items to your regular wardrobe rotation. Annie looked great, after all. (credit:Instagram/k8_the_grrr8)
Sexy Avengers(11 of133)
We love that these guys turned the sexy costume trend on its head with this great group idea. (credit:Uproxx)
Hoodie Animal(12 of133)
If you've got a hoodie, some felt, and some velcro you can put together a simple costume for the animal of your choice. Add a bit of face paint to take it up a notch, but if it's good enough for Martha, it's good enough for us. (credit:Martha Stewart)
Duck Dynasty(13 of133)
This will be a popular one this year, we're sure, but it's still fun. You shouldn't have much trouble finding camo pants, a bandana, and a long beard. Add a mug of tea for Si, of course.
Angela Chase from "My So-Called Life"(14 of133)
Channel a '90s hero and fight the boring trend towards skimpy Halloween costumes, all at the same time. Surely you've got one comfortable flannel shirt still kicking around. (credit:Instagram/dianapsc)
Texas Senator Wendy Davis(15 of133)
Blond wig, white suit, a microphone, pink shoes, and a whole lot of awesome.
Drake Working at Shoppers(16 of133)
Have a friend who works for Shoppers Drug Mart? Borrow a uniform shirt, make a "DRAKE" (or "AUBREY") name tag, and you're set. (credit:NOW Magazine)
TARDIS(17 of133)
You can make the classic "Dr. Who" time machine spacecraft (which stands for "Time and Relative Dimension in Space" with a big blue garment and some white paint or masking tape. Easily customizable, like this somewhat-inexplicable flapper TARDIS. (credit:Neatorama)
Sharknado(18 of133)
We favour the shark-head mask plus grey sweatshirt with stuff taped to it approach, to make a literal Sharknado, but you've got a few options here. It's even adorable on dogs! (credit:HubPages)
iPhone(19 of133)
Bring back all that cutting and glueing you did in kindergarten and put this one together with a box or a couple of pieces of poster board. Perhaps you can break out some spray paint and go as the coveted gold iPhone 5S, or add some colour and go as an iPhone 5C. (credit:Spoonful)
Captain Canada(20 of133)
Captain America is fine and all, but Captain Canada would be very polite and bilingual. (credit:Spoonful)
Road Trip(21 of133)
This is a cute one for kids, and is easily done with masking or duct tape, an inexpensive grey or black sweatsuit, and toy cars. (credit:Spoonful)
Sharpie Pumpkin(22 of133)
Grab an unloved orange garment from your closet, or pick one up at your local thrift store, and get creative with a black marker. Bonus points if you cover the black parts with glow-in-the-dark paint. This is a fun option for people who don't have the skill or patience for carving actual pumpkins. (credit:Etsy/imyourpresent)
The Great Gatsby's Daisy Buchanan(23 of133)
A short blonde wig, a flapper-esque dress, and a bunch of long necklaces let you channel this Great Gatsby character for a night, and look good doing it. This one could get pricey, but you can always find gems at your nearest thrift shop or your grandma's closet. (credit:Marie Claire)
Bumblebee(24 of133)
Everyone has black clothing in their closet. With some yellow fabric strips, velcro, and wings made of black pantyhose and a wire coat hanger, you can easily have a cheap and cute costume too. This one works for all ages. (credit:Buzzfeed)
Calvin and Hobbes(25 of133)
This adorable costume is a great reason to have kids, but we see no reason why you couldn't also try an adult version. (credit:Uproxx)
Miley Cyrus, With A Twist(26 of133)
Don't go as Miley without putting your own spin on it. Robin Thicke's suit channeled Beetlejuice, so we're in favour of going as Beetlejuice and Lydia at the VMAs. Robin: striped suit (go with white paint on a black secondhand suit), crazy makeup, aviators. Lydia: very short puffy red dress, a black foam finger, black top knots with spiky bangs—and, obviously, tongue sticking out as often as possible. (credit:Fanpop)
Carrie(27 of133)
You can go creative (and less messy), like in this photo, with some red tinsel, or you can just put on a white dress and blonde wig and then pour (water-based!) red paint all over yourself. Your call. (credit:Flickr)
Rosie the Riveter(28 of133)
Denim, an updo, red lipstick, and a bandanna make this an easy costume, but it's a DIY classic. (credit:What I Wore)
Wednesday Addams(29 of133)
Another '90s throwback, and one that's easy to do with a black wig, black tights, and a black dress with a bit of lace and a white collar. Get out your glue gun! (credit:Xanga)
Bat(30 of133)
Have a broken black umbrella lying around? Then you're halfway to a fun bat costume. (credit:Evil Mad Scientist)
USB And Port(31 of133)
Because they fit perfectly together. (credit:Costumes Super Center )
PB & J(32 of133)
Now you can wear everyone's favourite sandwich. (credit:Buy Costumes )
Burger And Beer(33 of133)
Staying in the theme of favourite foods, you can also dress up like a pint and burger. (credit:Party City )
Where's Waldo (x2)(34 of133)
Where's Waldo? No really, now we have to deal with two. (credit:Party City )
Spy vs. Spy(35 of133)
These two are natural enemies — but you and your beau don't have to be. (credit:Party City )
Princess Leia And Jabba The Hutt(36 of133)
No explanation needed. (credit:Party City )
The Royals(37 of133)
You too can be the most talked about couple of the year. (credit:AP)
Rob Ford And Stephen Harper(40 of133)
Win every single 'best dressed' contest with this one. (credit:CP)
Walt And Jesse(42 of133)
Just because they have somewhat of a complicated love/hate relationship, doesn't mean you do. (credit:Facebook/Breaking Bad)
Bacon And Eggs(43 of133)
Take your breakfast to the next Halloween party. (credit:Costumes Super Center )
Alex And Piper(44 of133)
If you really want to stay relevant this Halloween, we say stick to Orange Is The New Black's favourite duo Alex and Piper. (credit:Facebook/Orange Is The New Black)
Big Babies(45 of133)
Because sometimes, we're all big babies. (credit:Costumes Super Center )
Danny And Sandy(47 of133)
Sure, it's Halloween, but we're just thinking about those summer nights. (credit:Couples Costumes )
Barbie And Ken(48 of133)
Perfect cardboard-cutout for the perfect cardboard-cutout couple. (credit:Couples Costumes )
Maid Marian and Knight in Shining Armour(51 of133)
For all you Game of Throne fans. Sorry, dragons not included. (credit:Party City )
Peas And Carrots(53 of133)
If you two are health freaks, show up as vegetables. (credit:Couples Costumes )
Google SEO Penguin And Panda(54 of133)
For the techies out there, don't worry, people will get it.
Start Trek(55 of133)
Boo! Bring out your inner nerd.
Longuini and Meatballs(56 of133)
So tasteless. (credit:Spirithalloween.com)
Cock Block(57 of133)
No false advertising here. (credit:Buycostumes.com)
Keep Calm Sharknado(58 of133)
Does this even count as a costume? (credit:Spirithalloween.com)
Darth Vader(59 of133)
The skirt kind of takes the edge off this once-scary Halloween costume. (credit:Partycity.ca)
Tap This Keg Dress(60 of133)
We kind of have to give the wearer props. Making a keg look sexy ain’t easy. (credit:Buycostumes.com)
One Night Stand(61 of133)
If you build it, they will come? (credit:Buycostumes.com)
Sassy Sulley(62 of133)
A beloved Pixar furball gets a sexy makeover. (credit:Partycity.ca)
Sassy Twister(63 of133)
This costume could be worse; at least the dots are in strategic places. (credit:Spirithalloween.com)
Trojan Condom Magnum XL(65 of133)
This costume is birth control enough. (credit:Spirithalloween.com)
Pregnant School Girl(66 of133)
Stay classy. (credit:Partycity.ca)
"Sexy" Burt & Ernie Costumes(67 of133)
On second thought, maybe they should cut funding to PBS. (credit:Yandy)
"Ring Toss" Costume(68 of133)
The hat that says "Winner gets a free ride" is pretty much the worst. (credit:BuyCostumes)
The Nip Slip(69 of133)
Is it still a "slip" if you do it on purpose? (credit:Camp Blood)
Female Inflatable Doll(70 of133)
Yeah... This could get awkward. (credit:BuyCostumes)
Walking Sex(71 of133)
Now you can make people uncomfortable all night long. (credit:Brands On Sale)
"Anna Rexia" Costume(72 of133)
Because eating disorders are meant to be portrayed as sexy and hilarious, right?
Just A Penis(73 of133)
Word to the wise: make sure you take your penis costume for a trial run at the local library before hitting the sidewalk. (credit:via Regretsy)
Giant Boob(74 of133)
At least he knows what he is. (credit:Spirit Halloween)
Google Boobs(75 of133)
Feeling lucky? (credit:Costume Fail)
Middle Finger(76 of133)
Facial expression not included. (credit:Amazon.com)
"Anita Sedative" Costume(77 of133)
When you're wearing a sexy costume to a Halloween party, it's probably a good idea to stay away from sedatives and not bring your own restraints. (credit:Yandy.com)
"Happy Morning" Costume(78 of133)
It's not surprising that this one's on clearance for $7.99.
Pussy Magnet(79 of133)
We sort of feel like this guy wasn't looking for cats. (credit:Prank Place)
Holy Sh*t(80 of133)
Don't worry, there are more dirty puns where that came from. (credit:via Buy Costumes)
Free Mammograms(81 of133)
As long as there's no copay. (credit:via Asshole Verdict)
Mangina(82 of133)
If you wear this, it's the closest you'll come to seeing one that night.
"The Shocker" Costume(83 of133)
Make sure you include the hand gestures so you get the point across that you're a complete douche.
Tampax(84 of133)
Ladies? (credit:via Funny Junk)
Heartbreak Clown Thong(85 of133)
Dressing up as a heartbroken clown has never been ... sexier? (credit:via Regretsy)
Sexy American Indian(86 of133)
Pocahantas didn't even dress this sexy. (credit:Buy.com)
"Dept. Of Erections" Costume(87 of133)
For a con, he looks pretty pleased with himself.
"Beastiality" Costume(88 of133)
No more beer for this guy.
Poop(89 of133)
Looking like sh*t has never been so cute. (credit:via Etsy)
Banana Flasher(90 of133)
Of all the costumes that scream "I have a penis!" this has got to be the most frightening. (credit:Via Halloween 31)
"Droopers" Costume(91 of133)
Would you take a shot with this guy?
"Sperm Man" Costume(92 of133)
We don't even want to know what his superpowers are.
The 69(93 of133)
For those mischief-makers who enjoy holding plastic props to their bodies all night long. (credit:via Reddit))
A Knight To Remember(94 of133)
EEEEWWWWWW.
???(95 of133)
Just in case you wanted to dress up as "WTF" this Halloween. (credit:Unionversity.com)
The "Biggest Show On Earth"(96 of133)
Nothing says class like wearing a circus tent on your crotch.(Thanks for the tip, Karen!)
"Country Lovin"(97 of133)
The commercial version is so much more disturbing than the homemade version. (credit:Halloween 31)
Used Pad Man(98 of133)
Steady blood flow, meet steady alcohol flow. (credit:via Reddit)
Trash Can Baby(99 of133)
He has low self-esteem. (credit:via WTFCostumes)
Birthing Woman(100 of133)
Now your roommates know why you've been practicing your birth face in the mirror for so long. (credit:via Multiply)
Franzia(101 of133)
Wine in a box continues its tradition of being the least romantic thing ever. (credit:via eBaum's World)
Hung Like A Horse(102 of133)
Real subtle. (credit:Zoogster Costumes)
Vibrator(103 of133)
Dild'oh! (credit:Zoogster Costumes)
Toilet Time(104 of133)
These guys must really, really love each other. (credit:via Virgin Media)
Penis Man(105 of133)
In case anyone was wondering why Spencer's Gifts was sold out of mock penises this year. (credit:via The Colonial Footsoldier)
Sexy Etch-A-Sketch(106 of133)
We feel like this is going to end in some shaking accidents later in the night. (credit:Yandy)
The Human Centipede(107 of133)
Halloween couldn't be complete this year without a good old-fashioned Human Centipede costume. (credit:via Fazy Luckers)
Vagina Dentata(108 of133)
A feminist twist on the ubiquitous vagina-head costume worn by frat boys everywhere. (credit:via Regretsy)
Unkempt Lifeguard?(109 of133)
WHY? (credit:My Cheap Costume)
"Zombie Fetus" Costume(110 of133)
When you decide to pull off an extremely creepy costume, it's best to let your attitude match it. Yeah, it's a dead baby but she's cool with it.
Beer Dispensing Boobs(111 of133)
Let's see the St. Pauly Girl do this. (credit:Moon Costumes)
"Rub Me" Genie(112 of133)
More like Alad-don't. (credit:My Cheap Costume)
Hitler?!(113 of133)
We've seen homemade Hitler costumes before (which are also ridiculous) but this commercial version just blows us away. (credit:Daily Hitler)
Snake Charmer(114 of133)
Sometimes, knocking over every beer in front of you is a necessary sacrifice for the perfect sexual innuendo costume. (credit:via Amazon)
Furries??(115 of133)
We're not quite sure what these are...but we have a feeling they're NSFW. (credit:via Picture Is Unrelated)
Breathalyzer Test(116 of133)
It's getting hard to imagine a non-penis-related costume at this point. (credit:vVery Demotivational)
Nuts And Bolts(117 of133)
She's right to throw her hands up like that. (credit:Blogorelli)
Ball Pit(118 of133)
Hopefully he won't find any used band-aids in there. (credit:Izismile)
Toilet Paper(119 of133)
This one will be useful for all the TPing later. (credit:Make Zine)
"Wet T-Shirt" Costume(120 of133)
Is it more degrading to wear this ridiculous shirt with boobs attached, or to just wear a wet T-shirt and risk getting on "Girls Gone Wild?"
"Sexy" Cookie Monster?(121 of133)
There are some things that just should never be made into a "sexy" Halloween costume. Cookie Monster is definitely one of them. (credit:Via Best Week Ever)
BP Oil Spill(122 of133)
Maybe they're actually dressing up as this Onion article: "It's Nice We Can Finally Look Back On That Whole Oil Spill And Laugh." (credit:Funny Junk)
Sexy "Nemo" Costume(123 of133)
Dreams really do come true! (credit:Yandy.com)
Paralyzed Superman(124 of133)
This will forever be too soon. (credit:Costume Fail)
"Rasta Man" Costumes(125 of133)
We wonder how many white frat boys will put on this cartoonish representation of a Rasta? At least the squishy headpiece will soften the blows they will undoubtedly receive.
Sexy Unicorns(126 of133)
Thanks for ruining unicorns for everyone.
Chastity Belt & Key(127 of133)
Unlock the key to her ... stomach vagina? (credit:via The Colonial Footsoldier)
"Sexy" Monopoly(128 of133)
Thanks for ruining childhood game night.
Petting Zoo(129 of133)
For when you want to make everyone think about touching your junk AND bestiality for the entire night. (credit:Moon Costumes)
"Down For The Count"(130 of133)
You know a costume is bad when you have to repeat a pun just for anyone to get it.(Thanks for the tip, Jay!)
Jane Doe DOA(131 of133)
This description speaks for itself (full of typos):"Although she doesnt have much of a personality, she is still drop dead gorgeous in this body bag dress, Im sure you have the personality and in this you will be gorgeous. Stretch satin mini dress with hood and a two way zipper front which can zip all the way up the hood, this is sleeveless and has a vest style finish at the back. One breast has an outline of a body printed on to it an PROPERTY OF THE CORONER. Pack includes Coroners name tag fitted to a choker Jane Doe and matching fingerless gloves. (3 piece set). Fabrics are listed as 95% polyester and 5% spandex. and other accessories are available separately."(Thanks, Belinda!)
Spank His Monkey(132 of133)
Just 25 cents?
"Sexy" Brian From "Family Guy"(133 of133)
OK, now we're just confused.