*Originally published in 2019
Updated on September 24, 2024:

Step right up to see all things downright strange! People were certainly inventive, if not slightly creepy, in the yesteryears. What they lacked in resources, they really made up for in dark imagination and overall weirdness when it came to costumes.

Halloween costumes are nothing new. Early references to the practice go back to Scotland in the 1500s, but it's likely a much older tradition. It was thought that the souls of the dead roamed the earth at this time, around the time of the Celtic festival Samhain (and others). People dressed up to either protect themselves from the spooky supernatural that roamed at night or to "guise," which was to go door to door asking for food and gifts. Interestingly, we didn't really start using the phrase "trick-or-treat" here in America well into the 1930s or 1940s.

And some of these costumes are definitely more of a "'trick" than a "treat"! If you are still looking for your Halloween get-up, why not try out some of these hair-raisers and headscratchers? You most certainly will be the only one wearing it at the party.

Just chillin' with my gnomies.

I only have eyes for you.

Thanks for the offer, but I'm good.

The ultimate group costume.

This kid is having The. Worst. Day.

To the Batmobile!

Okaaaaaaaay. 

Earl, where'd all the tape go? 

Buzz, buzz. Just a bee looking for his flower. 

Oh man, who invited the aardvarks ... er ... weasels ... er ... wtf? 

Nope. 

Polly want ... some eyeholes? 

I'm pretty sure this is photoshopped, but it's creepy as hell, and I wanted to share the nightmare. 

Which vintage Halloween costume is your favorite? (Or which one scared the living daylights outta you?) Would you wear any of these costumes? And Happy Halloween!