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14 'Latino' Costumes That Should Have Never Been Made, Much Less Worn

14 Costumes That Should've Never Existed In The First Place
Carolina Moreno
By 

Reporter, HuffPost

Ahh Halloween, a night where too many "clever" folks like to teeter dangerously over the line of inappropriate and funny.

There's no doubt that All Hallows' Eve should be filled with over-the-top disguises and frightful decorations (not to mention a healthy portion of booze and candy) but there's no need to have fun at the expense of others' beloved culture.

So if you're currently mulling over some last-minute costume ideas and wondering, "Is this racist?" or "Is this culturally inappropriate?" Remember this: "If you have to ask, the answer is probably YES!" But just because you're not asking yourself these questions doesn't mean you can wear blackface make up and go as your favorite "Orange Is The New Black" character -- no matter how good your intentions are.

Still not sure when you've crossed the line? "Latino" costumes that should never be worn include, but are definitely not limited to, the following:

1
"Men's Ranchero Costume Mexican Poncho"
Amazon
Mexican Rancheros =/= gun-toting mustachioed, sombrero and poncho wearing men. Truth is Mexican ranchers probably don't dress very differently from U.S. ranchers.
2
"Rubie's Costume Saucy Senorita" Costume
Amazon
Hypersexualizing Latina women and calling them "saucy" isn't nearly as flattering as some seem to believe. Latinas are doctors, teachers, astronauts, writers, athletes and so much more.
3
"Unisex Taco"
Ebay
1. As a general rule, avoid being person-sized food. Trust us on this.

2. Tacos are from Mexico but they're generally not served with a sombrero on top.
4
"Hey Amigo Donkey Costume"
Party City
Adding the word amigo to the title doesn't make this costume any more Latino friendly.

Latinos' roots come from a variety of cultures and countries. Yes, there are donkeys. Yes, there are ponchos. But that's not the case everywhere or for everyone -- not by a long shot.

Want to look cool this halloween? Don't perpetuate Latino stereotypes.

5
"Little Mexican Amigo" Toddler Costume
Amazon
It's important for parents to set a good example for their children, but it's even more important that they don't dress them up in a stereotypical Halloween costume.
6
Cholas or Cholos

👌

A photo posted by karrueche (@karrueche) on

Appreciate, don't appropriate. "Cholas" and "Cholos" are part of a Chicano subculture rooted in the Mexican-American empowerment movement from the 1940s through 1970s but the term is most often associated with Los Angeles street gangs. Also, depending on the context, the term can be seen as a racial slur.

Karreuche Tan and Rihanna both donned the look in 2013. But it seems the singer, at least, came to her senses and deleted the picture from Instagram.
7
"Latina Puerto Rican Pride Costume"
Hey sexyyy...flag?

Unless you're Puerto Rican and planning on attending a Puerto Rican Day Parade, we highly advise against this getup.

Via Amazon
8
"Mayan Costume Adult Aztec Queen Indian Mexican Halloween Fancy Dress"
Hmmm, so which one is it: Mayan or Aztec? They're two different Mesoamerican civilizations. The Maya empire, for example, was a pre-Columbian civilization who settled beyond present day Mexico and into Guatemala, El Salvador and more.

But hey, let's belittle these two impressively advanced ancient civilizations.

Via Ebay
9
"Mayan King Costume Adult Aztec Indian Warrior Mexican Halloween Fancy Dress"
*Face Palm*

Via Pure Costumes
10
"Mexican Hot Tamale" Adult Costume
Amazon
Latinas aren't "spicy," "saucy," "hot tamales," or any other food-related adjective that people often use while describing Latin women.

We're people, not your dinner.

Via Amazon
11
"Mexican Fiesta Adult Costume"
Let's reduce a rich and vibrant culture to mustaches, margaritas, sombreros and... Hawaiian shirts? Oh well, it's red and "spicy" looking. ¡¡Arrrribbbaaa!!

Seriously, let's reconsider whether "adult costume" is a proper way of describing this ensemble.

Via Costume Craze
12
"Illegal Alien Costume"
If you think you're clever by wearing a costume that compares undocumented human beings to criminally convicted extraterrestrials -- please think again.

And we're not the only ones who cringed when we saw this this costume. In 2009, the costume was discontinued on Target and Amazon after complaints. But apparently Newegg.com missed the memo and put it back on the market.

Via Newegg.com
13
"Illegal Alien Mask"
No, no, no, no, no.

Via Newegg
14
"Latin Dancer Costume"
Nailed it! This is exactly what Latinos wear when they go out dancing.

Sure this ensemble might've been popularized by Brazilian singer and dancer Carmen Miranda in the 1930s and 1940s. But even Miranda was once criticized for appropriating the look from the Afro-Brazilian Bahianas.

Via Led Christmas Lighting
15
"Bandita Costume Adult Mexican Shot Girl Western Cinco de Mayo Fancy Dress"
This sexy bandit is ready to shoot you... with tequila.

While the creators of this costume could've stopped at making criminals sexy -- adding "Mexican" accessories like a sombrero, a colorful scarf and tequila bottles is the real crime here.

Via Ebay
16
"Mexican Serape Costume"
Good job using "serape" instead of "poncho," if only you had left your crazy eyes, maracas, sombrero, and mustache at home.

The Mexican culture is not a caricature to poke fun at. Please stop.

Via Pure Costumes
17
"Fidel Castro"
It should go without saying (but we'll say it anyways) that dressing up as a dictator is a big no, no.

Other figures to avoid: Drug Lord Pablo Escobar (or any cartel member for that matter), Chilean Dictator Augusto Pinochet and so on.

Via Halloween Costumes

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