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.
This post may include affiliate links.
Scooby Doo Halloween Family
Scooby snacks are great, just make sure you get them from the graham cracker section and not the pet section of the store
Load More Replies...I'm more impressed they managed to get those poses out of the kids. Even if it's all edited together, those poses are spot on!
Jinkies! Danger-Prone Daphne Did It Again.
Load More Replies...Don't overthink Scooby being a human, don't overthink Scooby being a human....crap. too late
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
Imagine Seeing Someone Wearing This On Halloween
Costume made by Willow Creative https://willow-creative.nl/
HOLY CRAP!!!! It's absolutely AMAZING!!!! The time & effort put into it is all worth it.
I am curious to know. if this was a real werewolf, who would of braided his hair?
ALL the king size candy bars. "Not enough, Wolfie? Let me run to the store and get some more!"
Load More Replies...Willow is amazing with her costumes^^. Here is her twitter: https://twitter.com/WillowCreative_
I'll bet the commissions are flowing in with talent like that
Load More Replies...You know this persons is breaking this out as often as possible Halloween, themed birthday parties, an ex's wedding. . .
Freddie Mercury Krueger
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)
My brain actually started singing it even before I realized it was Bohemian Rhapsody.
Load More Replies...The Perfect Halloween Costume
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.
Entering A Costume Contest Next Weekend
Now I'm just picturing someone popping out of the horse's ass saying "Thanks!"
Load More Replies...Seriously amazing.... and instant bladder relief if you happen to see this, in the woods, at night, not on Halloween.
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.
This is meme of Leonardo DiCaprio as Calvin Candie in the movie Django Unchained
You should encourage your wife to do a drag (king) show! She clearly has the skills.
The movie isn't really relevant because this one pic became a meme
Load More Replies...My Medusa Build Using Foam Mats From The Dollar Store
Excellent! I was planning to do Medusa but with a couple of snakes under my arms and apologise for not shaving
Do it with a bunch of gummi-worms - it'll be hilarious. :D
Load More Replies...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.
Halloween Is Coming
That is one serious mask... love it! All it needs is a medieval cloak to complete the look.
Halloween Costume Is Done
You look AMAZING ... but I sure hope you don't need to use the restroom lol
Hope the party is at her house, bc she's never getting out the door. Lol 😆
Rosey The Robot From The Jetsons. Handmade Costume By My Roommate
Awesome!! It's my all time favorite cartoon!! And I fully expected to have a flying car by now. So let down.
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.
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.
A Krampus A Day Keeps The Xmas Away
Expecting at least a couple of people crapping their pants when this person creeps up.
If Lucifer himself is afraid then we should take this seriously.
Load More Replies...My household hates Christmas, so bring on the Krampus, I'll start the coffee
Wow!! I wonder how long that took to make. It's definitely going to give some kid nightmares.
imagine running into him and the wolf on pic before - marvelous costumes
Never Gonna Give You Up
OH MY GOD- I did not just get rick rolled by a f*****g Bored Panda post-
We're no strangers to love You know the rules and so do I, A full commitment's what I'm thinking of You wouldn't get this from any other guy I just wanna tell you how I'm feeling Gotta make you understand Never gonna give you up Never gonna let you down Never gonna run around and desert you Never gonna make you cry Never gonna say goodbye Never gonna tell a lie and hurt you We've known each other for so long Your heart's been aching but you're too shy to say it Inside we both know what's been going on We know the game and we're gonna play it And if you ask me how I'm feeling Don't tell me you're too blind to seeNever gonna give you up Never gonna let you down Never gonna run around and desert you Never gonna make you cry Never gonna say goodbye Never gonna tell a lie and hurt you Never gonna give you up Never gonna let you down Never gonna run around and desert you Never gonna make you cry Never gonna say goodbye Never gonna tell a lie and hurt you Never gonna give, never gonna give
Load More Replies...My Very 2020 Halloween Costume. An N95 Fits Inside The Mask, And The Atomizer I’m Holding Is Filled With Hand Sanitizer
Damn! I wish we could have you at the entrance to the supermarket and you can make sure everyone wears a mask and spray them with your hand sanitizer!
I was one. https://share.icloud.com/photos/0uOrsKxu6g3Uup6LkrdRXJOgg
Load More Replies...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.
Good luck!
Happy Halloween From Zamunda To Queens
I enjoyed it. Nothing fabulous. But it was a nice reminder.
Load More Replies...A Happy Belated Halloween From Our Artsy Family
Adam's Family Halloween
Didn't even notice the bird at first!...thought she had a cigarette holder.
Load More Replies...We Are Venom
Hot people are always looking for excuses to show off their body. I won't complain, though.
My Halloween Costume: Mary Poppins! Been Working On It All Summer In Quarantine
Even more impressive being able to spell it.
Load More Replies...After Getting Hit By A Car This Year, I Thought This Was The Only Appropriate Costume For Halloween
Thank you for adding a name, because I had no idea who this was supposed to be.
Load More Replies...That's super fetch 😉 You look super gorgeous, hope you get chosen as Queen of Best Halloween Reference Costume 🙌
Stop trying to make fetch happen. It's not going to happen!
Load More Replies...Is for back injuries/fractures. In the movie Mean Girls one of them goes like this to the prom after having an accident
Load More Replies...She was hot by a car and has to.wear a back brace. Her back may have been broken
She fractured her spine and she still looks like a rock star. One time she punched me in the face - it was awesome!
Also in a car accident and had to wear a halo. I decorated mine with a NASA sticker on the piece that goes around the forehead. Happy to see you are in good spirits and playing with it! Great costume!!!
I Was A Victorian Ghost For Halloween
I have a friend who is a ghost. I wonder what she'll be for Halloween?
Load More Replies...Great costume! The real nightmare, however, is trying to wash all that powder out of your hair.
Was Told My Wife's Halloween Makeup Belonged Here
Covid Ruined My Halloween
Love the new party name! Using that when referring to them from now on.
Load More Replies...Love the bleach IV. We're wearing matching oxygen tubing. It's wonderful being tethered to a machine.
Still can't believe that orange twat actually told people to chug bleach as a covid treatment
Chug, no... take into their bodies, yes. Too bad that hasn't been more effective in cleaning out the gene pool! (See what I did there?)
Load More Replies...My Wife Made Her Own How To Train Your Dragon Costume From Scratch For Halloween
Not to be rude, but I thought her name was Kamicazi?
Load More Replies...I really hope she dressed up her dog (or even a neighbor's dog) as Stormfly!😍
I Put My Halloween Costume On A Week Early And Was Too Excited To Not Share How It Looked
My Friends Airbender Halloween Costume
The glowing effect is really cool and the perfect use for that body paint!
A costume that only works in warm climates. *sigh*. Who's got their costume over their snowpants?
I'd also like to know. Just, uh, asking for a friend...
Load More Replies...Danny Devitos Penguin
And if you chewed black jellybeans you could have the black spit too! This is an awesome costume
OMG, I remember coming out of that movie with the creeps from Danny Devito! I hated it! You brought it all back to me!
Put Me In Coach, Just Give Me A Chance
i'm always wondering, isn't halloween costumes supposed to be scary than funny?
Naw, modern Halloween costumes can be whatever you want. Scary, silly, sexy, artsy, nerdy, weird -- it's just an excuse to break out of the routine and be creative for a night.
Load More Replies...Are you serious?!? It' supposed to be referencing Jim Carrey's role in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, anyone who grew up in the 90s or has watched 90s movies since then would know this
Load More Replies...But Remember, We’re The Wet Bandits
I am a grown adult and this movie is my Christmas tradition watch. Great job guys. I hope your hat has a burn hole on top.
A Local Bar Holds St. Patrick Swayze Day Every Year For His Birthday, Here Is My Costume
Family Costume Halloween 2020
The “dumpster fire” put me over the edge with laughter!!! OMG!!! 😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣
Load More Replies...I am over here cracking up! You guys totally nailed how we all felt!
I Decided To Dress Up As A Vampire For Halloween
A main character in "What we do in the shadows" (that is, the crappy series, not the brilliant movie). Sucks the will to live out of you --- every office you worked in has one of those energy vampires.
Load More Replies...Nadja "Okay everyone hold hands" Collin Robinson holds Gizmos hand "Sorry if my hands are a little oily. It's from my rash cream."
Hello October
If that's an actual prosthetic skeleton arm rather than Photoshop, then that's extremely cool!
it is, she was in a previous amputee halloween post :)
Load More Replies...So glad to read in the comments that she's an actual amputee and that this isn't a case of "seriously committing to the role."
I had a friend who was born without 2 of the fingers on his left hand. For one Halloween he dressed up as a chef, complete with fake blood and a huge butcher knife. It really did look like he had just accidentally cut off his own fingers. It kept freaking people out.
Vice Presidential Debate Fly
That is the most specific yet absolutely brilliant Halloween costume I have ever seen
Got A Little Groovy This Year As A Lava Lamp
Pulled This Prank On My Brother 2 Years Ago
Some kid on the street did this last year. My wife nearly had a heart attack, and I felt horrible for knocking the kid out, but he agreed the stunt was a bad idea to pull on random strangers. Same level makeup and costuming though.
I don‘t understand. What did they do? Hide in a sewer?
Load More Replies...This Year I Decided To Be A Murderous Mermaid For Halloween! It Took Me About 4.5 Hours
I think you mean Hans Christian Anderson bastardized that myth.
Load More Replies...I'm sitting alone in my basement and that pic scared the crap out of me. So beautiful and freaking creepy at the same time! (I'm taking a break from working on turning it into my guest room if anyone's curious.)
Load More Replies...My Friend Rae, Has Her Own Latex Company, This Is Her Handmade Costume This Year
I’ve Come To The Realization, Dressing Up As The Opposite Gender For Halloween Is Significantly Underrated
I was hoping to see a comment from a female that said, "He can raid my tomb any day!", but no one said it yet.
he didn't try to. the point is to dress up as for example: a female character when you're a male yourself - or opposite.
Load More Replies...Thought I'd Share My Family's Halloween Costumes Pre-Covid. Sucks So Bad That Halloween Festivities In My Area Have Dwindled Even More
Post Malone For Halloween. Turned Out Better Than Anticipated
I am freaking out trying to imagine that there's people who can put tin foil in their mouth.
You did a great job but I am getting chills thinking of this foil on your mouth. ( shiver)
My 13-Year-Old Wanted To Be A Creepy Rabbit So I Made Him This
Oh that is going to be so good. You are going to get SO many cool parent points for this one...
28 days...6 hours...42 minutes...12 seconds...that is when...the world will end...
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
Someone needs to, then maybe she'd be in a better mood😏...😹🤣😹🤣😹
Load More Replies...If i ever chose a costume from Matilda it would be the kid that eats the whole chocolate cake 😅😅😅
I feel like I should get the reference but I have no idea what this costume is supposed to be...?
Its from one of Roald Dahl's books, "Matilda" and this is one of the main characters Miss Trunchbull~
Load More Replies...Sweeney Todd - Halloween 2020
I'm Doing A Costume A Day For October. Today Is Day 1/31. Lumiere From Beauty And The Beast
Except Lumiere's girlfriend was the feather duster.
Load More Replies...I’m Up For Tenure Today And Figured This Was The Best Way To Put A Spell On My Admins. Fingers Crossed
My Doom Suit I Made For Halloween This Year
“Sees child dressed like satan” I know what in have to do but I don’t know if I have the strength to do it..
Morticia And Gomez
I've seen several Morticia costumes this year, and every one of them makes this same mistake. I don't understand it.
Load More Replies...Young Goth Love! (You two can star in the prequel about how they met and married! 🥰 )
This is me and my spouse. Picture by Marisa Parisella Photography. Finale-634...448489.jpg
My Daughter's Bat Morph Suit
Happy Halloween From The Torrance Family
My Brother As "The Dude"
*sniff* MOSKAU! MOSKAU! WIRF DIE GLÄSER AN DIE WAND! RUSSLAND IST EIN SCHÖNES LAND! HOHOHOHOHO, HEY!
Load More Replies...I checked ebay, they've got the "Lebowski Sweater" for sale. $54.99 to $73.69.
Load More Replies...My Brother Won A Costume Contest (Built The Bike Himself)
My Homemade Papier-Mâché Angler Fish Costume
Beauty And The Beast
This Was My Costume Last Year
Pyramid Head And Nurse Halloween 2020
I Promise There’s Only One More Jumpscare To Come This Week But Can’t Guarantee There Won’t Be More For The Next
5 Years Ago, My Dad Made Me This Blaze Costume For Halloween. Honestly Was The Best Halloween Ever
I Dressed Like A Hobbit For Halloween. Thought You Guys Might Appreciate
Ollo Citizens Of Metrocity
We Had Twins During Covid. This Was The Only Costume That Made Any Sense In My Mind
Dr. Evil and Mini-Me, both OG and Prisoner versions.
Load More Replies...This. Is. Amazing. Those nuggets have no idea what gold they have in the family album right now, but they'll adore you for this when they reach their "my parents are awesome" phase somewhere in their 20's. $1M? No, priceless!
A Wilderness Explorer And Kevin, The Most Beautiful Bird In The World
My Friends And I Did 8 Different Britney Spears In Drag For Halloween This Year
Luna Lovegood For Halloween
She's adorable. She needs to find or make a creepy dark ring and it would knock it out of the park!
Work Accident
My Front Man Costume, Thoughts?
He Just Wants To Clown Around
My Friends (Standing) And I (Kneeling) As The Goats Of Glam Rock
Is identical to the lettering on the Shout At The Devil album and he totally has Nikki's hair and make up at a 100%!
Cut My Beard Off For This Year’s Look
My Boyfriend And I Were 3 Kids Sneaking Into A Rated R Movie
My Wife's Fat Thor Costume For Tonight
My Bird Person Costume
Stitched Doll
They do look fantastic! But some jagged stitches would have looked phenomenal!
Load More Replies...On My 3rd Round Of Detailing My New Chatterer Mask-Thought I Would Share The Progress So Far
This Costume
Waaay too scary a character for a child that age to know, but the costume is spot on.
The "Red Light, Green Light" murder robot from Squid Game. I know the game is called something else in Korean.
Load More Replies...I know who she is supposed to be. But she also looks like a mix between the girls in My Neighbour Totoro
Covid-19 Test
Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice
This Year's Costumes. Hope Everyone Has A Great Halloween
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
The zombified scarecrow mask and hands are insanity 😳! They seem so realistic it's too creepy!
Helping My Friend With A Halloween Costume. I Think We Are Off To A Good Start
My Sister And Cousins Win Halloween
Working On My Halloween Costume, 80% Complete So Far
It's 2020, So Of Course I Had To Be A Plague Doctor
It's Showtime
I'm Doing A Costume A Day For The Month Of October. Today I Went As The Fever Dream That Is The Crimson Chin
So freaking awesome! I've never seen anyone dressed as The Crimson Chin before and I love it ❤ ! Now all they need is Timmy, Wanda, and Cosmo!
My Fiancé And I Celebrating At A Halfway To Halloween Party
Ok, it's more of a before and after photo. Due to shock, she grew an instant beard and a hairy chest!
Our Gravity Falls Halloween
My roommate and I dressed ourselves and the house up for Halloween this year as Soos, Stan, and The Mystery Shack. It was a hit with the neighborhood! Sorry for the late post, too busy with party and recovery from said party. No refunds!
sorry Sue, summer is over, they are cuddling Waddles in California
Load More Replies...All Set For Halloween
Going Through Old Photos And Dug Up Some Of My Halloween Costumes
Mike Pence Halloween Costume
My Filipino Mom In 1985 Dressed As Pris From Bladerunner On Halloween
WOW!!! That takes guts for an office costume!! Props!! And to think I wasted this year being Ruth Bader Ginsburg!!
My Fiancée And I In Our Costumes From Last Year. Good Times
Happy Halloween From The Simpsons
Every Halloween I Dress Up As Dwight For School. I Make My First Graders Call Me Mr. Schrute And We Discuss Which Bear Is Best
You would be surprised about how many 6-7 year olds watch The Office
Demon Lord - Mask By Immortal Masks
Our Family’s Halloween Costume That Nobody Got To See Last Year
How Many Times I Gotta Tell You, My Name Ain’t Ernie No More, Its Ice
'What am I supposed to do with my afternoon?' - 'Maybe you could learn to breathe through your nose.'
Made My Costume! I Wanted To Have One Of Those Creepy Paper-Mache Pumpkin Masks From The Early 1900s So I Made It
My Luna Lovegood Costume This Halloween
Easiest Costume Every Year
double points if you scan the code and it says something silly like "chicken breast"
Not enough numbers for a real barcode, but it would be awesome if it did!
Load More Replies...Happy Halloween
Seriously does anyone find it odd how often that seems to happen to him when it doesn’t happen to anyone else that often?
Load More Replies...My Group Cosplayed As Our Characters This Halloween
My Halloween Costume
Here’s Johnny. A Little Unsettling How Much I Resemble Jack Torrence. Happy Halloween All
Probably My Best Halloween Costume
It's All Just A Bunch Of Hocus Pocus
My Favourite Costumes Worn Over The Years
My Halloween Costume, Thorny From Supertroopers
My Wife And I As Freddie Mercury And Jarrett The Goblin King A Couple Years Ago, She Ended Up Winning The Costume Contest
Fire Nation Suki For Halloween
เพราะเราคือพื้นที่ปลอดภัยของกันและกัน เมื่อคุณแม่มาแต่งตัวฮาโลวีนกับหมวยครั้งแรกค่ะ 🥰🎃👻🏳️🌈❤️ youtube: แข่ง Squid Game กับคุณแม่ออน4โมงเย็นนะคะ❤️ me And My Mum Doing Our Best For Our First Halloween Dress-Up Together. Spooky. 🎃👻🏳️🌈 hair By @kerkkim face By @bytacha styled By @_knkayen_ #lgbt #lgbtq🌈 #lgbtq #queer #equality #gay #genderqueer #genderfluid #genderfluid🌈#pride #loveislove #gaylife #asexual #lgbtcommunity #letboysbefeminine #degenderfashion #halloween #squidgame
So...what's the tags all about? Because he doesn't look particularly feminine or is it because his mum looks like a man?
Maybe he is the doll? Or maybe he is LGBTQ+ and those things are important to him. Some people put multiple hashtags in everything they post.
Load More Replies...My Halloween Costume From 2019 Bc I Still Think It Looks Cool
Dressed Up As An EA Executive For This Halloween! Scariest Thing I Know
My Half-Finished Lemongrab From Adventure Time. Kind Of Silly But I Think It’s A Good Look For Me
Dungeon! All of you. Dungeon. Seven years, no trials. C'mon, let's move it!
Wife And I For Halloween
Wanted To Dress Up As Jessica Rabbit For 10+ Years. Tonight Was The Night
Our First Date Was On Animal Crossing Due To The Pandemic. A Bit Over 6 Months Later And Here We Are! Happy Halloween
I Hope To Make A Splash With My Halloween Costume, But That’s Okay Because It’ll Be In A Seaplane
And into the “It” phase, unfortunately… a little more creativity, people! Not to say the costumes weren’t good, though.
Load More Replies...Here's my last minute one this year! I bet no one can figure it out without looking at the answer under this comment. Halloween-...637f66.jpg
Americans should come celebrate Carnaval (yes, CarnAval) here in the South Part of the Netherlands. The ones with real costumes at least, the ones who are dressed up as a celebrity (in almost normal clothing) wouldn't be recogized here. Oh and no scary ones, carnaval isn't about that.
We're good celebrating Halloween, but thanks for the offer.
Load More Replies...Ice- lollies are like chicken drumsticks with wooden bones.
And into the “It” phase, unfortunately… a little more creativity, people! Not to say the costumes weren’t good, though.
Load More Replies...Here's my last minute one this year! I bet no one can figure it out without looking at the answer under this comment. Halloween-...637f66.jpg
Americans should come celebrate Carnaval (yes, CarnAval) here in the South Part of the Netherlands. The ones with real costumes at least, the ones who are dressed up as a celebrity (in almost normal clothing) wouldn't be recogized here. Oh and no scary ones, carnaval isn't about that.
We're good celebrating Halloween, but thanks for the offer.
Load More Replies...Ice- lollies are like chicken drumsticks with wooden bones.
