How Terrifying were Vintage Halloween Costumes?
For many, Halloween is a bit like marmite. Some love it and it’s their favourite time of year. For others, it is a despised holiday that’s utter nonsense. Wherever you stand, its roots run deep into the past and show no signs of abating.
Halloween falls on October 31 and it’s suggested it holds its origins in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. In Mexico, the Day of the Dead is celebrated on November 1 and 2 as a way of honouring the dead. It is during this time, the veil between the living and the dead is considered its thinnest and why such a celebration takes place at this time.
For this reason, people would light bonfires and dress up in costumes to keep the spooks and ghouls away. Turnips were hollowed out, and a candle placed inside to keep the ghosts at bay as well. Although I’ve also read that turnips were hollowed and lit in this way to help the spirits of the dead find their way home for that one night.
Whatever the reason, pumpkins have replaced turnips, which are far easier to carve and you can make tastier food items from the remnants. This is simply due to pumpkins being native to the US and more readily available than crappy old turnips. Plus, you need the forearms of Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson to be able to carve a turnip. Swedes are hard enough! (The vegetable, not the people).
Moving on from carving pumpkins, the other reason many people get excited about this time of year, are the costumes. Most of us love dressing up and leaving our mundane troubles behind for one night, while pretending we’re a superhero or a vampire, even a pirate; although I wouldn't go so far as to chop your own leg off for authenticity.
Costumes have come a long way from ye olden days. Now you can be a carbon copy of Han Solo, Thor, Frankenstein’s Monster or a giant cheeseburger!
But back in the days of sepia, people had less to work with and often had to make their own costumes. This may sound quaint and environmentally friendly, but it also offers up its own box of horrors.
Now we’re familiar with Halloween’s origins; let’s look at a gallery of unimaginable terror that you can never unsee again. Let us begin our tour of costumes of the past.
No one can say what these are supposed to be. Some sort of witch or demented elf? Needless to say, they remind me of The Jackal’s extended family from 13 Ghosts.
Smile for the camera. No? Fine, just stand still then.
Are these Halloween costumes or just a photo of a kid being held hostage? The look on his face may hint at his ultimate demise.
Dear God, what the hell is this? It’s the eyes, they follow you…
Won’t you come play with us? No, NO, NO!
Makes you wonder what The Maxwell family really did look like under all that.
He must be related to the ones in the previous photo.
Just no...
And back to the Maxwells. It’s Uncle Billy-Bob Maxwell standing proudly behind his unique Etsy craft gifts. 20% off!
Hey girls, let’s go out for some Halloween shindiggery. Oh, dear, Margaret’s head fell off again. Maybe it rolled into the bushes. Go and check, Beatrice, you’re the smallest.
Combining the Mardi Gras and Halloween! Why not, I say!
Twick or tweeeeeeat!
Why bother yourself with real children when you can have creepy fake ones instead? Cheap Christmas, at least.
Big Head, big head, big head!
And there you have a lovely gallery of freaky and disturbing Halloween costumes. I'm sure we're all feeling inspired by these efforts and can't wait to make our own costumes.
Some tips to consider as you navigate your way through the magical holiday of Halloween:
TIP#1: Don't wear one of these and knock on the door of someone with a weak heart.
TIP#2: Don't use dolls as replacements for children. If you want to hear the pitter patter of tiny feet without the obligations of a child, buy a mouse.
Happy Halloween!
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