‘Sexy’ Handmaid’s Tale costume pulled from site after backlash

AN online retailer has been forced to pull a costume from its site after severe backlash from women online, who claim it is offensive and tone deaf.

AN online clothing company has been forced to remove a costume from its site in the lead-up to Halloween, following a social media backlash.

The costume, reminiscent of the outfit worn by the handmaids in the dystopian television series The Handmaid’s Tale, but with a “sexy” twist, sparked controversy online for trivialising the message of the show and sexualising the handmaids — who are subjected to rape in the fictional totalitarian state, Gilead, in an attempt to repopulate society in the face of a rapidly declining birthrate.

Our society doesn't take the rape of real women seriously, why should they take the rape of fictional women seriously? https://t.co/aiKMn0N3xJ

— Molly Sanchez (@SeriousMolly) September 20, 2018

The handmaids in the show are recognised by their long red dresses, white bonnets and red capes.

The outfit has also been used as a symbol for protesting women’s rights. Recently, a number of demonstrators wore the outfit to protest President Trump’s Supreme Court pick, Brett Kavanaugh.

In the corridor outside the Brett Kavanaugh confirmation hearings, “The Handmaid’s Tale” pic.twitter.com/13qhg5rYDu

— Laura Litvan (@LauraLitvan) September 4, 2018

A picture of a model wearing the sexy version of the costume on Yandy.com featured a red minidress paired with a revealing red cape and a white bonnet. The model also wore sky-high black stilettos.

The website described it as the “Yandy Brave Red Maiden Costume.”

The description of the costume was even worse.

“An upsetting dystopian future has emerged where women no longer have a say,” the description read, according to Fox News.

We're now beyond satire. "Sexy" Handmaid's Tale outfit. There's nothing like fighting the patriarchy by sexualising a show about misogyny and rape. ht @bustle pic.twitter.com/aTaAsc0Zhf

— Zoe Margolis (@girlonetrack) September 20, 2018

“However, we say be bold and speak your mind in this exclusive Brave Red Maiden costume featuring a red minidress, a matching cloak with an attached hood and a white bonnet headpiece.”

The costume was advertised for $64.95 (A$89) before it was pulled from the site after severe backlash.

Today: Slutty Handmaid’s Tale Costume. Tomorrow: Slutty Global Warming. pic.twitter.com/bLr7s1owOX

— Kashana (@kashanacauley) September 20, 2018

Let me explain.
1) The handmaid's tale is about forced pregnancy. That's why it was an apt symbol in the context of, well, forced pregnancy, Irish style.
2) Forced pregnancy and rape aren't sexy. That's why sexy handmaid's tale costumes are offensive.
You're welcome!

— Lizzy Wilson (@lizzywilson77) September 21, 2018

Yandy.com released a statement to its Twitter page following the backlash.

“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,” the statement read.

“This is unfortunate, as it was not our intention on any level. Our initial inspiration to create the piece was through witnessing its use in recent months as a powerful protest image. Given the sincere, heartfelt response, supported by numerous personal stories we’ve received, we are removing the costume from our website.”

pic.twitter.com/0w5NQS438g

— Yandy.com (@Yandy) September 21, 2018

This is not the first time the website has come under scrutiny for a sexy costume gone too far. Last year, the website was criticised for its sexy Stranger Things costume that depicted the character Eleven, as the actress who plays Eleven, Mille Bobby Brown, was 12 at the time of filming the popular Netflix series.

This article originally appeared on Fox News and was reproduced with permission.