Vintage costumes often recall specific styles or figures from certain eras in history.
The oldest vintage Halloween costumes were mostly ghosts, devils, witches and skeletons, but over the years, costumes began depicting characters, movies or styles that were relevant at their particular historical era. Character costumes and figures like goblins or ghosts are often homemade as they can be inexpensively created using readily available wardrobe or household items. Many of today's most popular vintage costumes or costume supplies can also be found at thrift stores and draw heavily from various aspects of pop culture, entertainment and literature.
Eras in History
The 1920s saw the popularity of the flapper dress, and in later years it became a common vintage costume choice. The simple straight shape and addition of a few frilly pieces of fabric around the mid-section and on the fringes made it a very simple look to recreate. The 1950s brought poodle skirts, saddle shoes and slicked-back hair styles. This look was revived and showed up often as Halloween costumes in the 1970s when the TV show "Happy Days" became a hit. Disco dancing and the hippie lifestyle were also prevalent in the late 1970s. Those styles of vintage costumes have stood the test of time and are still often worn to Halloween theme parties or parades.
Movie Classics
"Carrie" is a classic Halloween movie with a climactic ending focused on a tragic teenage prom night and, as such, it helped to create a surge in blood-splattered prom costumes after it was released. For a less gory vintage costume based on a movie, there's the Raggedy Ann or Raggedy Andy costume.
Disney Characters
Disney characters are great choices for a small child's Halloween costume and they are simple to create at the last minute. Even if you don't have the correct materials for the outfit, the character masks are always easy to find in stores or online. Vintage Disney Characters include Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy and Pluto.
Superhero Figures
These Halloween costumes are always popular with children and there are many figures to choose from for vintage costume ideas. Superman, Batman, Flash and Wonder Woman are all well-known, easily recognizable characters whose costumes can be recreated at home with existing or very inexpensive items.
Mythical Figures
Princesses and Disney characters have always been popular favorites with small children.
Fairies, trolls and goblins are excellent choices for vintage Halloween wear. Princesses and pirates are, of course, firm favorites with boys or girls and such costumes lend themselves well to many homemade variations.
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