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Halloween, as we know it, would be nothing without the costumes. However, coming up with an original look year after year (especially if you're a dinosaur like me and were born in the last millennia) is not that easy.

So, to save your tushy in 2021 and give you some ideas, Bored Panda put together a list of some of the most brilliant Halloween outfits we've seen.

From Freddie Mercury Krueger to Post Malone, remember, it's not how much money you spend that counts, rather, it's the ability to think outside the box and the guts to try something new that will set you apart during the spooky celebration.

Heck, you can even copy your favorite costume from this list. Whatever. There are no rules! And if you need more inspiration, fire up our similar articles here, here, and here.

#1

Scooby Doo Halloween Family

Scooby Doo Halloween Family

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If these pictures are getting you pumped but you aren't quite sure who or what you want to transform into, Alison Soley, the editor of Face Crafts, has 10 tips to make this process (a little) easier:

1. Ask your inner child about it. Do you remember what your favorite costume was when you were little? Maybe one of a pirate or a princess? Use that idea as a launching point and move from there.

2. Browse your favorites. Consider your favorite comic book character, movie star, or even animal. They could all be the seed of inspiration you need to create a unique Halloween costume. For some extra spice, you can also combine this tip with the first one

#2

Imagine Seeing Someone Wearing This On Halloween

Imagine Seeing Someone Wearing This On Halloween

Costume made by Willow Creative https://willow-creative.nl/

reddit.com , Willow Creative Report

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Lucifer
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

HOLY CRAP!!!! It's absolutely AMAZING!!!! The time & effort put into it is all worth it.

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#3

Freddie Mercury Krueger

Freddie Mercury Krueger

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Serial pacifist
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is some serious skill. You see Krueger and then you ask yourself: Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? Caught in a landside, No escape from reality. (Bohemian Rhapsody)

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#4

The Perfect Halloween Costume

The Perfect Halloween Costume

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3. Take things too literally. If you're a book worm, for example, Soley suggests dressing in green, putting on a pair of glasses, and carrying an apple and a book around with you. You're sure to get some giggles this way.

4. Ask yourself if you are able to form a group. For instance, you could turn your shared love of superheroes into an excuse to deck your whole family out in DIY Marvel costumes.

#6

My Wife

My Wife

The last few years she’s cosplayed like male characters for Halloween and it’s hilarious to see her transform. Besides the vest ($20), everything was put together from things we had around the house. The cravat is the sash of a silk dress. The tie pin is a thumbtack. She’s sitting in front of a piece of art we have that we propped on the floor.

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#7

My Medusa Build Using Foam Mats From The Dollar Store

My Medusa Build Using Foam Mats From The Dollar Store

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5. Consider tights, stockings, or leggings. Soley highlighted that they are an easy fix for many DIY girl costumes. If the costume incorporates a dress or skirt, adding nude, pink, or black tights can add warmth without detracting anything from the style.

6. Capes! Witches and warlocks and other such scary costumes benefit a lot from a simple cape or cloak — even something as simple as a t-shirt can do the trick.

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#10

Rosey The Robot From The Jetsons. Handmade Costume By My Roommate

Rosey The Robot From The Jetsons. Handmade Costume By My Roommate

evemarieee Report

7. Incorporate a coat into a child costume for auto coziness. Whether the little one is playing a cowboy, zombie, or even an animal, it's an extra layer of warmth that doesn't jeopardize the look. Picture your child wearing a horse costume and a jacket with a racing number attached to it. It can still be a cute Halloween costume, just with a little extra flair.

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8. Look out for possible costume components at your local second-hands. As Soley pointed out, thrift stores can be great sources for unexpected Halloween ideas. You never know what you can find there. Just keep an open mind when scanning the shelves.

#11

A Krampus A Day Keeps The Xmas Away

A Krampus A Day Keeps The Xmas Away

Chance_the_Author Report

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Lucifer
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Expecting at least a couple of people crapping their pants when this person creeps up.

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#12

Never Gonna Give You Up

Never Gonna Give You Up

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#13

My Very 2020 Halloween Costume. An N95 Fits Inside The Mask, And The Atomizer I’m Holding Is Filled With Hand Sanitizer

My Very 2020 Halloween Costume. An N95 Fits Inside The Mask, And The Atomizer I’m Holding Is Filled With Hand Sanitizer

AleaLudo Report

9. Recycle old clothes. Whether you cut up a t-shirt to use as a base for a costume or write something witty on a shirt for a quick costume, this can be a great last-second option.

10. Take advantage of past fashions. If you still have a cool sweater from decades ago, consider using it to create a retro costume for your kids (or yourself). The possibilities are endless when you use old clothes for fresh ideas.

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Good luck!

#15

A Happy Belated Halloween From Our Artsy Family

A Happy Belated Halloween From Our Artsy Family

Al_Eltz Report

#18

My Halloween Costume: Mary Poppins! Been Working On It All Summer In Quarantine

My Halloween Costume: Mary Poppins! Been Working On It All Summer In Quarantine

breathcue Report

#19

After Getting Hit By A Car This Year, I Thought This Was The Only Appropriate Costume For Halloween

After Getting Hit By A Car This Year, I Thought This Was The Only Appropriate Costume For Halloween

sushicats Report

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Chancey
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is awesome!!! Has anyone here been victimized by Regina George?

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#20

I Was A Victorian Ghost For Halloween

I Was A Victorian Ghost For Halloween

doodlesinthedark Report

#21

Was Told My Wife's Halloween Makeup Belonged Here

Was Told My Wife's Halloween Makeup Belonged Here

Doug_E_Fresh_1385 Report

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#23

My Wife Made Her Own How To Train Your Dragon Costume From Scratch For Halloween

My Wife Made Her Own How To Train Your Dragon Costume From Scratch For Halloween

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#24

I Put My Halloween Costume On A Week Early And Was Too Excited To Not Share How It Looked

I Put My Halloween Costume On A Week Early And Was Too Excited To Not Share How It Looked

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#25

My Friends Airbender Halloween Costume

My Friends Airbender Halloween Costume

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#28

But Remember, We’re The Wet Bandits

But Remember, We’re The Wet Bandits

rstan25 Report

#29

A Local Bar Holds St. Patrick Swayze Day Every Year For His Birthday, Here Is My Costume

A Local Bar Holds St. Patrick Swayze Day Every Year For His Birthday, Here Is My Costume

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#31

I Decided To Dress Up As A Vampire For Halloween

I Decided To Dress Up As A Vampire For Halloween

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#32

Hello October

Hello October

aannggeellll Report

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Sian Edwards
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If that's an actual prosthetic skeleton arm rather than Photoshop, then that's extremely cool!

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#35

Pulled This Prank On My Brother 2 Years Ago

Pulled This Prank On My Brother 2 Years Ago

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#36

This Year I Decided To Be A Murderous Mermaid For Halloween! It Took Me About 4.5 Hours

This Year I Decided To Be A Murderous Mermaid For Halloween! It Took Me About 4.5 Hours

petfreak Report

#37

My Friend Rae, Has Her Own Latex Company, This Is Her Handmade Costume This Year

My Friend Rae, Has Her Own Latex Company, This Is Her Handmade Costume This Year

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#38

I’ve Come To The Realization, Dressing Up As The Opposite Gender For Halloween Is Significantly Underrated

I’ve Come To The Realization, Dressing Up As The Opposite Gender For Halloween Is Significantly Underrated

habaroa Report

#39

Thought I'd Share My Family's Halloween Costumes Pre-Covid. Sucks So Bad That Halloween Festivities In My Area Have Dwindled Even More

Thought I'd Share My Family's Halloween Costumes Pre-Covid. Sucks So Bad That Halloween Festivities In My Area Have Dwindled Even More

mrypopabtch Report

#40

Post Malone For Halloween. Turned Out Better Than Anticipated

Post Malone For Halloween. Turned Out Better Than Anticipated

crepuscularalex Report

#41

My 13-Year-Old Wanted To Be A Creepy Rabbit So I Made Him This

My 13-Year-Old Wanted To Be A Creepy Rabbit So I Made Him This

Flierfli Report

#42

I Cannot For The Life Of Me Understand Why Small Children Take So Long To Grow Up. I Think They Do It Deliberately, Just To Annoy Me

I Cannot For The Life Of Me Understand Why Small Children Take So Long To Grow Up. I Think They Do It Deliberately, Just To Annoy Me

pinkmanpaul Report

#44

I'm Doing A Costume A Day For October. Today Is Day 1/31. Lumiere From Beauty And The Beast

I'm Doing A Costume A Day For October. Today Is Day 1/31. Lumiere From Beauty And The Beast

josiemarcellino Report

#45

I’m Up For Tenure Today And Figured This Was The Best Way To Put A Spell On My Admins. Fingers Crossed

I’m Up For Tenure Today And Figured This Was The Best Way To Put A Spell On My Admins. Fingers Crossed

TerpinOne Report

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#46

My Doom Suit I Made For Halloween This Year

My Doom Suit I Made For Halloween This Year

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#47

Morticia And Gomez

Morticia And Gomez

Kenziejayne Report

#50

My Brother As "The Dude"

My Brother As "The Dude"

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#53

Beauty And The Beast

Beauty And The Beast

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#56

I Promise There’s Only One More Jumpscare To Come This Week But Can’t Guarantee There Won’t Be More For The Next

I Promise There’s Only One More Jumpscare To Come This Week But Can’t Guarantee There Won’t Be More For The Next

teagsmua Report

#57

5 Years Ago, My Dad Made Me This Blaze Costume For Halloween. Honestly Was The Best Halloween Ever

5 Years Ago, My Dad Made Me This Blaze Costume For Halloween. Honestly Was The Best Halloween Ever

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#58

I Dressed Like A Hobbit For Halloween. Thought You Guys Might Appreciate

I Dressed Like A Hobbit For Halloween. Thought You Guys Might Appreciate

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#59

Ollo Citizens Of Metrocity

Ollo Citizens Of Metrocity

PlaneBodyLord Report

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Blobban
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You're a villain, just not a super one. The difference? PRESENTATION!!!

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#60

We Had Twins During Covid. This Was The Only Costume That Made Any Sense In My Mind

We Had Twins During Covid. This Was The Only Costume That Made Any Sense In My Mind

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#61

A Wilderness Explorer And Kevin, The Most Beautiful Bird In The World

A Wilderness Explorer And Kevin, The Most Beautiful Bird In The World

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#62

My Friends And I Did 8 Different Britney Spears In Drag For Halloween This Year

My Friends And I Did 8 Different Britney Spears In Drag For Halloween This Year

Wilsonahrens Report

#63

Luna Lovegood For Halloween

Luna Lovegood For Halloween

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#65

My Front Man Costume, Thoughts?

My Front Man Costume, Thoughts?

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#66

He Just Wants To Clown Around

He Just Wants To Clown Around

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#67

My Friends (Standing) And I (Kneeling) As The Goats Of Glam Rock

My Friends (Standing) And I (Kneeling) As The Goats Of Glam Rock

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#68

Cut My Beard Off For This Year’s Look

Cut My Beard Off For This Year’s Look

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#69

My Boyfriend And I Were 3 Kids Sneaking Into A Rated R Movie

My Boyfriend And I Were 3 Kids Sneaking Into A Rated R Movie

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#73

On My 3rd Round Of Detailing My New Chatterer Mask-Thought I Would Share The Progress So Far

On My 3rd Round Of Detailing My New Chatterer Mask-Thought I Would Share The Progress So Far

Makeupbilly , Makeupbilly Report

#74

This Costume

This Costume

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Eva the Egg
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Awww!!! Hopefully she doesnt know what she did to 200+ people... 😭😂

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#78

This Year's Costumes. Hope Everyone Has A Great Halloween

This Year's Costumes. Hope Everyone Has A Great Halloween

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Tacocat
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oooh this one is amazing, but hear me out: instead of the lady being another scarecrow, she could be a zombified Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz. You could soooo reuse the amazing costume

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#79

Helping My Friend With A Halloween Costume. I Think We Are Off To A Good Start

Helping My Friend With A Halloween Costume. I Think We Are Off To A Good Start

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#80

My Sister And Cousins Win Halloween

My Sister And Cousins Win Halloween

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#81

Working On My Halloween Costume, 80% Complete So Far

Working On My Halloween Costume, 80% Complete So Far

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#82

It's 2020, So Of Course I Had To Be A Plague Doctor

It's 2020, So Of Course I Had To Be A Plague Doctor

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