Best (of the Worst) Firefighter Costumes

I’m all for kids actually employing their imaginations. Dressing up, not just at Halloween, is a great time to do such a thing. But, let’s face it, some costumes are not as awesome as others. And that’s why this week I’m bringing you the best of the worst. Please don’t buy these costumes.

The worst offender ever is most definitely this pink (!) Jr. Fireman Costume with Helmet. Every time I see it, my head explodes. Repeatedly. What is the point of it, really? I’m not quite sure. If you want to tell a girl that she can be a fire fighter, just like the boys, then you tell her that she can be a fire fighter, just like the boys. You don’t offer up special treatment or pink uniforms. You don’t tell her that girls can’t work in jobs like that because it’s “too physical” and you can’t “look feminine.” You tell her that she can be whatever she wants to be when she grows up. If she wants a costume, buy her one that looks real!

Don’t get me wrong: I enjoy the color pink. You’ll see pink on the blog right now in support of Breast Cancer Awareness month. But that costume? What does it teach a girl? That firefighting isn’t feminine enough of a career so we need to “pink it up” a little bit? That women who choose to be firefighters in real life and thus dress in a normally colored uniform are too masculine? That girls will never be able to handle a legitimate position on a fire department? My brain is all kinds of angry mush right now.

If your daughter shows an interest in fire fighting, allow her to explore it without forcing gender based stereotypes down her throat. Women make great firefighters. I’m sure some of them wear pink at home but it would be my guess that if they asked to be given a pink uniform, they would be laughed out of the fire house.

And don’t give me the “it does no harm to dress up like this” line. But, if you must, go ahead. Tell your daughter that she can’t be as good as a man. That she can’t wear the “boring” uniform because it needs spiced up. And in twenty years time, she’ll be sporting this to her sorority costume party. (Link not particularly family friendly.) Just trust me on this one. And please, if you think I’m making this stuff up, dress your son in this costume and send him out in public.

Now for some less ranty costume don’t’s: Don’t do all pleather. While October is normally cool, if you walk to trick-or-treat or go into a building with heat, your child will melt into a puddle of goo. Avoid making your own (at least with that pattern) unless you have this lady’s talent (featured last week). Avoid all sexy firefighter costumes (see the above paragraph’s link if you must). Why? See above rant on pink costume and change the adjective to sexy. And, please, don’t dress up your dog. Not because it is anti-woman or anti-firefighter or unsafe or anything of that nature. It’s just plain silly.

Also to keep in mind: make sure your child is allowed to take all pieces of the costume with him or her to school for their dress up day. As an example, some firefighter costumes come with axes and some schools don’t allow any fake weapons to come in with costumes. Check that out ahead of time and let your child know what can and cannot go to school.

On Mondays through October 27, 2008, I will be highlighting the best of the best when it comes to firefighter costumes and accessories for your children (and maybe even for you). If you are a company with a costume you’d like me to review, please hit me up via the contact form. Otherwise, I’m just picking what I like (and don’t) online.