100 Nostalgic Halloween Costume Ideas For Anyone Who Loves A Good Throwback!
Halloween is almost upon us, and there's no need to panic if you haven't started planning your costume. We've got you covered with 100 (!!) Halloween costumes that are perfect for those looking for something a little bit nostalgic this year. From the '20s to the 2000s, we've got something for every single one of you Bettys, Barneys, and Beanie Babies.
Solo Throwback Costumes
Red Fraggle
One of the leading faces from the kooky '80s TV series can surely help bring back the nostalgia this Halloween. It's sure to put a BIG muppet-style smile on your face in this getup. (via Brit + Co)
Pippi Longstocking
Remember this chick? This nine-year-old had superhuman strength, and completely insane pig tails. (via Brit + Co)
Carmen Sandiego
This intercontinental style icon will always be relevant. To create the look, it's all about making sure you've got a few key elements (like that red hat with yellow trim!) covered. (via Brit + Co)
Lisa Turtle
We kind of think of this one as a hybrid between Lisa Turtle and Kelly Kapowski — the volume and sunny attitude is all Kelly, and the incredible vest and gold lame mini dress has Lisa written all over it. (via Brit + Co)
Wednesday Addams
Go goth with this adorable Wednesday Addams get up. This costume calls for the most layers — black tights, a collared shirt, and a tight cardigan — which will certainly help keep you cozy. Channel your inner troublemaker and start perfecting that straight-faced, vapid stare. (via Brit + Co)
Cookie Monster
An all-time classic and the best possible outfit for the gal who wants to have an excuse to pretty much wear a snuggie out for the evening. (via Brit + Co)
How awesome are those leggings? (via Treasure Troll
Inspired by our girl Misty's costume from Halloween last year, this is probably our favorite maternity costume idea EVER but takes a bold pregnant mama to pull it off. (Thanks for being willing to humor us all, Brit!) (via Brit + Co)
Juno
Next, we've got everyone's favorite pregnant teen, Juno! Channel a little bit of attitude and apathy, grab an empty Slurpee cup, and you are well on your way. (via Brit + Co)
Holly Golightly
And I said, what about, Breakfast at Tiffany's? #deepbluesomethingFTW (via Brit + Co)
Jem
Clearly, we are as obsessed with our '80s cartoon characters as we are with wig costumes. For bright pink tresses, Jem is an absolute must! (via Brit + Co)
Energizer Bunny
Bring the energy to your next Halloween party because this bunny’s got ups. (via Brit + Co)
Firefox
Or go for a couples costume and dress your partner up as Netscape Navigator! (via nayukim on Flickr)
Home Improvement‘s Wilson
If you have a bucket hat and an old flannel lying around, all this costume requires are a few popsicle sticks from the craft store (or a sneaky trip to the doctor's office) and a little bit of glue. Folks may get confused if you swap the makeshift fence for a drink, but pop it up in front of your face and all those JTT lovers will instantly recognize/adore you. (via Uproxx)
Hanson Teen Beat Cover
Our esteemed Editorial Director Lisa gets DOUBLE the points for this throwback — it’s her costume from 1997! (via @lraptweets)
Ghostbuster
This isn’t exactly the easiest of costumes to pull together, but if you’ve got the time it sure does look great. Make Bill Murray proud as a ghost-busting hunk. (via Costume Works)
What? Yes. This is probably our favorite costume of the bunch! (via Mary Poppins
Tie a red ribbon around your neck and glue some flowers into a bowler hat for a simple and classy costume option. Even if it doesn’t look like rain, grab an umbrella for extra character. (via Say Yes)
You’re welcome for all the nightmares. (via 
Lucille Ball
Who doesn’t love Lucy? Pull your hair up in a retro bun and then top off the look with a bandana and a solid red lipstick. (via Freckled Fox)
Ace Ventura
This dude is nailing it as Miami’s finest pet detective. Rock this look in a Hawaiian shirt, high-rise pants and combat boots, or opt for his memorable tutu ensemble instead. (via Marie Marie)
School Picture Day
Complete with an accurate 1st grader smile, this girl knows how to stay in character. She also knows her way around a laser backdrop. (via Moth)
Bjork at the 2001 Academy Awards
Pretend you’re at the Oscars with this fanciest of costumes. Take advantage of Halloween and use it as an excuse to wear heaps of tulle to work. (via A Beautiful Mess)
Steve Urkel
Piece together a pair of suspenders, some nerd glasses and high-rise pants for this costume. It’ll look so good when you sneak a peak in the mirror. on’t be surprised if your first thought is, “Did I do that?” (via Reddit)
Ghostbusters
Why be a ‘buster when you can be the ghost? Haunting is so much more fun. (via College Humor)
Group Throwback Costumes
Wet Hot American Summer
What do you want to bet you and your friends own everything you need to pull this one off together?(via Brit + Co)
Baywatch
Prepare to save the shoreline with your amazing team *and* whistleblowing skills. (via Brit + Co)
Spice Girls
Though we're all about bringing back Sporty, Scary, Baby, Posh and Ginger, go the clever route and simply dress up as your favorite spices. (via Brit + Co)
Gilmore Girls
Who's the Lorelai to your Rory? Choose carefully and then pick your main men too. (via Brit + Co)
Saved by the Bell
Channel your inner Slater, Kelly, Zach, and Jessie with some sweet threads straight out of the late '80s. Just don't forget the old-school cell phone with an antenna bigger than your head. (via Brit + Co)
Cast of The Breakfast Club
This unlikely crew of five is one of the most celebrated high school groups in movie history. A few key accessories and some '80s outfits will make this one a cinch. (via Brit + Co)
Mean Girls
Mini skirts? Check! Long locks? Check! Pink, pink and more pink? Check! With your outfits put together, you'll just need a Burn Book to complete the costume. (via Brit + Co)
TLC
What about your friends? Going for early TLC style, this trio of besties knows what's up in the neon style department. (via Brit + Co)
Mad Men Women
Our very own Miss Misty has the perfect hair and makeup tutorials for you to master the Mad Men look. All you need is a '50s or '60s vintage frock. (via Brit + Co)
Heather Chandler, McNamara and Duke
Rule the school by dressing as the colorful clique from the ’80s cult classic Heathers. (via Found Item Clothing)
Rainbow Brite + the Color Kids
Don’t forget the most colorful ’80s costume of them all — Rainbow Brite and the Color Kids will never go out of style. (via AC Paradise)
Mario Kart
The race is on! Mario costumes can be a little tired, but this group punches it up with an amazing Mario Kart version. Or you could try a Dr. Mario or Mario Tennis angle, too!
Those jackets are incredibly accurate — where can we get them?! (via She-Ra and Her Crew
We used to run around our backyard pretending to be the Princess of Power… so dibs on this one. (via He Man)
Addams Family
Get the whole family together for a super sweet group costume or go solo as Wednesday Addams with this YouTuber’s cute costume and makeup tutorial. (via Brian Jackson)
Tetris
Go small and do a Tetris screen on a T-shirt, or go big like these guys and craft huge game pieces. Follow their instructions and you’ll be boxed up in no time. (via Instructables)
Clue
Clue is one of the all-time best group costumes, period. Camille Styles threw a Clue-themed, whodunnit dinner party where everyone dressed to the nines, but you could also go authentic and model your characters after the hilarious ’80s film. (via Camille Styles)
Cast of Ferris Bueller's Day Off
You guys. This group costume is too good for words. Whether you’re looking for a couples costume, a besties costume or a group getup, this legendary ’80s movie has fantastic options (and gives you a perfectly good excuse to play hooky). (via Pinterest + Ten:Thirteen Design)
The Golden Girls
The Golden Girls are absolutely timeless, and dressing like them is a total blast. Load up on the blush, ladies! (via Instagram)
Couples Throwback Costumes
Hall and Oates
Wait, what? Yep. We went there. You really do make our dreams come true. (via Brit + Co)
Wayne and Garth
Can you say…. schwiiiing? Leave it to Brit + Co editor Kate Puhala to make dressing up as Wayne Campbell actually look chic. The underbite-based smile that Garth is sporting really seals the deal. (via Brit + Co)
David Bowie and Prince
It wasn't enough to simply be a rock star or a musician — both Bowie and Prince took the role of artist VERY seriously. (Brit + Co)
Pacman and Ghosts
Aw, those poor ghosts. P.S. What happened to Pacman’s shoes? (via Brooklyn College Anime)
John Lennon and Yoko Ono
Channel your inner rockstars by becoming these two this Halloween. (via Brit + Co)
Cruella De Vil and a Dalmatian
Who doesn't love Cruella and her 100 Dalmatians? Grab your favorite black dress and old white clothes that you don't need anymore to create this couple's costume. (via Brit + Co)
Twins
Journey with us back to 1988, when a world accepted the idea that Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito could be… twins? Wait, WHAT? Khakis, penny loafers (or moccasins) and matching blazers make this look, but it's those '80s patterned short sleeve button downs on the inside that take it to the next level. Oh, and I happen to be playing the role of Danny DeVito in this costume ;) (via Brit + Co)
The Simple Life
Have you ever wanted to do an early 2000s costume so badly?! The real question is, who will dress as Tink? (via Brit + Co)
Finn and Rey from Star Wars
Ham it up all night pretending to fight off Stormtroopers with Adam from Girls (errr… Kylo Ren). May the force be with you! (via Brit + Co)
Lizzie McGuire and Miranda Sanchez
"You'll never figure out who you really are if you are trying to be someone else." (via Brit + Co)
Arnold and Gerald
Our '90s hearts have gone all aflutter. Become everyone's favorite football head with just a little construction paper and a pair of scissors. (via Twisted Sifter)
Bob Ross and Happy Little Tree
If you grew up with painting pro Bob Ross telling you how to paint “happy little trees,” then you’ll probably feel a bit nostalgic with this one. The costume can be a solo act or a group effort if you have a happy little tree or two. (via C.R.A.F.T)
The Bundys
The shoe salesman and the crimson-haired bombshell were the ’90s answer to Lucy and Ricky, and we loved their love-hate relationship. (via On The Blog Bandwagon)
Will and Carlton
This is a story all about how… two guys had totally amazing Fresh Prince costumes. Okay, so maybe that’s not actually how the song goes, but we like that version better. (via Imgur)
Dylan and Brenda from 90210
We had to serve up the side by side for this one — that strapless dress with giant white bow and black gloves is just too good. In true 90210 fashion, this is definitely one of the more angsty, volatile couples of the ’90s. (via I Am Not a Stalker)
Sonny and Cher
This pop star pair are a favorite for costume season, but Rachel Zoe and her hubby Roger Berman look nearly unidentifiable! Their attention to detail is stellar. (via @rachelzoe)
Daria and Jane
Your favorite droll cartoon pair is a perfect team costume for Halloween — just ask Katy Perry! Just try not to smile. (via Katy Perry Pics)
Serena + Blair
It would be pretty tough to copy Blair Waldorf and Serena van der Woodsen’s actual looks from the hit show Gossip Girl, but you can still channel these Upper East Side school girls with some classic accessories — pearls and a headband for B and a short skirt and loose tie for S. (via People)
The Mask
Whoa. When is the last time you thought about the movie The Mask? Like… not since 1994, right? (via Buzzfeed)
Double Dare Contestants
OMG. How perfect is this? Especially if you rig your helmets so that they double as beer holders. (via Buzzfeed)
Scooby Doo
Add more characters to your Mystery Incorporated crew. Shaggy Rogers, anyone? (via Instagram)
Patti Mayonnaise and Doug Funny
These two = YES. And is it weird that we would rock that polka dot sweater on the reg? (via SheKnows and Pinterest)
Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love
Whether the dog represents Frances Bean is still TBD, but this is one of our all-time favorite costumes. And guess what? It was actually one of the entries to our costume contest way back in 2012!
Baby & Kid Throwback Costumes
The Lion King
What's better than paying homage to one of the most beloved Disney movies of all time, The Lion King? (via Brit+Co)
Morton Salt Girl
All you need for this one is a trip to the grocery store for a cheap umbrella and some salt. (via Brit + Co)
Sandy + John
Looking to match your little man while you hit the 'hood going door to door? Jeans and Converse will save the day, and the jacket is likely needed anyway. (via Brit + Co)
Princess Peach and Toad
You can totally be a couple with your mini! This throwback is the best. (via Brit + Co)
Little Lebowski
From Lebowski to little Lebowski! Your little dude might not know that his costume is based on one of the best movie characters ever, but he'll enjoy all the attention from the other cool parents. (via Skirt As Top)
I Love Lucy
If you don’t like this costume, you’ve got some ‘splaining to do! (via Coolest Homemade Costumes)
This one is so great you’ll definitely want to phone home about it. (via Oscar the Grouch
It’s tough to choose a fave, but this one definitely makes our top five baby costumes ever. (via Little Frills)
Ace Ventura
Well, allllrighty then! Your kid will hate you for this one day or think you’re a complete genius — either way they’ll have a great #TBT in a few years. (via Costume Works)
Mini Jersey Shore
This could only be made better if all the parents dressed up as Jersey Shore 50 Years from Now.
Party on, babies. (via Baby Prince
This. Is. Genius. Doves will most definitely cry tears of joy the moment they see this costume. (via Twisted Sifter)
Stay Puft Marshmallow Man
Seriously? This is the best homemade costume we’ve ever seen. Ok, maybe that’s too extreme, but it is incredible. And the kid’s expression? Perfection. (via Costume Works)
Risky Business
Grab some shades and a button-down shirt and you're in business! (via Instagram)
Care Bear
The best part of this? The costume was made from an actual Care Bear stuffed animal. Brilliant. (via Instructables)
Follow us on Pinterest for more creative costume ideas!
This article has been updated from a previous post.
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