Rob Bricken’s list of the 19 worst Halloween costumes of 2021 is a humorous editorial, not a tested or objectively ranked assessment. Its target is weak costume design and poor character recognition—not sexy costumes as a category. Bricken’s list appeared on Gizmodo’s io9 on October 18, 2021; an editor’s note says it was first published September 24 and updated October 18.
What the list criticizes
Bricken introduces the entries as costumes loosely inspired by nerd entertainment and calls them among the season’s “most confusing, most dubious, and most awful.” The article does not provide a scoring system or explain its order as a measured ranking, so the title’s “worst” is an editorial judgment.
Its distinction about revealing designs is explicit: “As always, we’re not condemning sexy costumes here—you should wear whatever feels good, whenever you want!—we’re condemning very, very bad costume creations.” The criticism is about execution: whether a design signals its inspiration, includes the details that make a character recognizable, and comes across clearly as a costume.
All 19 costumes on Bricken’s list
- Domi-Matrix
- I’ll Be Your Guide Sexy Safari Costume
- Mean One Sexy Movie Character Costume
- What a Doll Sexy Movie Character Costume
- Infinity Space Voyager
- Dangerous Lil’ Mouse
- Cruel Madam
- Haunting Hottie
- Avenging Assassin
- That Solves That Sexy Cartoon Character Costume
- Fab in the Lab Sexy Cartoon Character Costume
- Monster Slayer
- Fawn Cropped Hoodie With Antler
- Nobody’s Fool Jester Costume
- Poisonous Babe
- Feline Felon Villain
- Naughty Nerd
- Super Hottie
- Dead Assassin
Why the Grinch-inspired entry misses
“Mean One Sexy Movie Character Costume,” the fourth entry, is Bricken’s example of a design that does not clearly read as the character it appears to evoke. He argues that it lacks defining Grinch details, including recognizable face features. The article attributes the item to Forplay and lists it at $89, but that is the price shown in the 2021 article—not a current price or evidence of current availability. Read the original Gizmodo/io9 article or see its page 4 entry.
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#1 Best Overall
- Funny Halloween Costume Set: Come with 1 yellow beanie/1 suspenders/1 goggles and 1 pair of black gloves. With this eye-catching cosplay set, you can be the focus of the crowd and have good time on any Halloween parties
- Easy Dress Up set:These yellow beanie costume accessory for adult are great costume for men and women. Comes with blue suspenders, you just need to put on a T shirt and jeans to easily create a funny Halloween dress up
- One Size Fits Most: The yellow beanie features nice stretchy and goggles features adjustable strap,both are suitable for adults or kids
- Premium Material: The yellow beanie and black gloves are stretchy and comfortable. Plastic steampunk goggles with foam pads and adjustable strap will fit your head well and prevent sliding.The suspenders are well made with 3 metal clips,adjustable for adult and kids
- Occasions: These adult Halloween cosplay accessories are suitable for Halloween, cosplay games, family themed party, role play games, stage performance, birthday party, daily use, Christmas gift etc. It is also a great gift for friends and family
How to read the ranking
The list works best as a snapshot of Bricken’s comic reaction to the season’s costume listings. Its recurring idea is that a costume can fail when it does not make its inspiration legible: a recognizable character needs more than a suggestive label or a general resemblance. That is a useful way to understand the judgments, but it is not a formal quality standard applied through documented testing.
The article’s questions about how 2021’s costumes compare with the bad offerings of 2019 and 2020, and what qualifies as a costume at all, are part of its humor and framing. They do not amount to a systematic year-to-year comparison. The entries and seller details are historical; the article does not establish today’s stock, prices, or listings.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Size: Standard
- Black polyester robe w/ draped sleeves & shredded bottom
- Belt ties around the waist and a ghost mask is also included
- Made In China
Rank #4
- Packing list: Renaissance costume includes: Shirt*1, Pant*1, Viking Belt*1, Bracer *2, Scabbard*1, Waist bag*1, Shoulder Armor*1
- High-Quality Material:The T-shirt and pants are made of high-quality cotton and polyester fabric, soft and breathable, comfortable to wear.The accessories are made of PU leather,ensuring long-lasting wear and tear resistance.The pants and shirt are designed with an adjustable neckline and cuffs to accommodate various body types and sizes.
- The medieval costume features intricate details like metal accents and leather-like textures for a realistic and immersive experience. It includes a variety of accessories to enhance your look, such as the Knight Belt, a pair of leather buckle wrist guards, Scabbard, Waist bag, and Shoulder Armor. These additions capture the essence of Renaissance fashion. Whether you prefer a classic Renaissance costume or a more mysterious aesthetic, this medieval pirate outfit is an excellent choice.
- Versatile Ensemble: This costume can be worn for pirate, Viking, or medieval-themed events, plays, reenactments, or Halloween celebrations.
- Multiple Size: Suitable for most adults, check the size table before purchasing.
Rank #3
- 2 packs Adult Shark Inflatable Costume (Blue + Blue)
- Material: Inflatable shark costume made of 100% polyester, waterproof and breathable, strong and durable, you do not need to worry about any tears and holes
- Package Includes: 2 Packs inflatable Costumes , 2 blowers, 2 Battery Boxes need 4 AA batteries (batteries not included) and USB connected mobile power (mobile power not included)
- Size: Adult size is 63-78 inches/160-200 cm. Inflatable Halloween costumes are not only fun and unique, but they are also very comfortable so you can party all night long! The inflatable costume leaves you lots of wiggle room so you don't have to limit yourself with tight and uncomfortable costumes, and it's well-ventilated so you won't sweat on the dance floor.
- Multi-scene use: This shark inflatable costume with novel and interesting design is a great Halloween costume for parks, zoos, outdoors, company celebrations or annual meetings, bars, clubs, TV shows, carnivals, openings, weddings, Halloween, New Year's Day, Christmas, festivals, birthday parties, bachelorette parties, role-playing parties and so on. Perfect for most men and women
Rank #2
- 【Museum-Quality Realism】Featuring a high-definition 19D skeletal print inspired by actual fossils, this costume delivers an authentic, spine-tingling dinosaur appearance with a fun Halloween twist
- 【Ultra-Soft & Durable Material】Crafted from premium plush fabric that retains its shape through countless adventures, while the flexible spine design ensures all-day comfort—even under outer layers
- 【Machine-Washable Convenience】Toss it in the washing machine after parties or play—this costume cleans easily so you’re always ready for the next prehistoric adventure
- 【Quick-Change Design】With easy-back zipper closure, this costume slips on and off in seconds. Perfect for rushed costume changes at school events, parades, or Halloween parties
- 【Show-Stopping Skeleton Silhouette】The bold skeletal shape and articulated spine create a dramatic, eye-catching look that’s guaranteed to turn heads and spark conversations wherever you roam
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