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.
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Scooby Doo Halloween Family
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 was your favorite costume 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/
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)
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
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.
My Medusa Build Using Foam Mats From The Dollar Store
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
Halloween Costume Is Done
Rosey The Robot From The Jetsons. Handmade Costume By My Roommate
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
Never Gonna Give You Up
OH MY GOD- I did not just get rick rolled by a f*****g Bored Panda post-
My Very 2020 Halloween Costume. An N95 Fits Inside The Mask, And The Atomizer I’m Holding Is Filled With Hand Sanitizer
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
A Happy Belated Halloween From Our Artsy Family
Adam's Family Halloween
We Are Venom
My Halloween Costume: Mary Poppins! Been Working On It All Summer In Quarantine
After Getting Hit By A Car This Year, I Thought This Was The Only Appropriate Costume For Halloween
I Was A Victorian Ghost For Halloween
Was Told My Wife's Halloween Makeup Belonged Here
Covid Ruined My Halloween
My Wife Made Her Own How To Train Your Dragon Costume From Scratch For Halloween
I Put My Halloween Costume On A Week Early And Was Too Excited To Not Share How It Looked
My Friends Airbender Halloween Costume
Danny Devitos Penguin
Put Me In Coach, Just Give Me A Chance
But Remember, We’re The Wet Bandits
A Local Bar Holds St. Patrick Swayze Day Every Year For His Birthday, Here Is My Costume
Family Costume Halloween 2020
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."
“One Of The Best Ways To Drain People’s Energy Nowadays Is Via The Internet.”
It's Colin Robinson, an energy vampire from What We Do in the Shadows TV series
Load More Replies...Wish You Nothing But Continued Success Feeding On The Addle-Brained Cattle That Waste Their Lives Around Us.
where the fangs... Oh its like the jobs sucking your blood(¬‿¬) Wait... i still don't get itಠ_ಠ
I'm biased but I feel like my husband did it better 😜 http://imgur.com/gallery/MkmHmiC
I'm kinda biased but I feel like my husband did it better... 😜 http://imgur.com/gallery/MkmHmiC
OMG perfection!!! LOVE THIS!! Why is my hair turning white.... Hm...........
Colin Robison from Taika Waititi's "What we do in the Shadows", a wonderfully bizarre vampire satire and mockumentary.
Load More Replies.......but why would he still need glasses? Unless they're props to hide he "turned"?
Hello October
If that's an actual prosthetic skeleton arm rather than Photoshop, then that's extremely cool!
Vice Presidential Debate Fly
Got A Little Groovy This Year As A Lava Lamp
Pulled This Prank On My Brother 2 Years Ago
This Year I Decided To Be A Murderous Mermaid For Halloween! It Took Me About 4.5 Hours
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
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
My 13-Year-Old Wanted To Be A Creepy Rabbit So I Made Him This
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
Sweeney Todd - Halloween 2020
I'm Doing A Costume A Day For October. Today Is Day 1/31. Lumiere From Beauty And The Beast
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
Morticia And Gomez
My Daughter's Bat Morph Suit
Happy Halloween From The Torrance Family
My Brother As "The Dude"
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
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
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
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
On My 3rd Round Of Detailing My New Chatterer Mask-Thought I Would Share The Progress So Far
This Costume
Covid-19 Test
Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice
This Year's Costumes. Hope Everyone Has A Great Halloween
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
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!
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
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
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
Happy Halloween
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?
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
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.
Now I'm really sad we don't celebrate Halloween where I live. These are soooo cool!
The biggest part of halloween is dressing up as someone else. they were all dressed up in costumes
Load More Replies...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.
Now I'm really sad we don't celebrate Halloween where I live. These are soooo cool!
The biggest part of halloween is dressing up as someone else. they were all dressed up in costumes
Load More Replies...