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Many people keep a bowl of candy by the door during Halloween for the many trick-or-treaters that come calling on October 31st. But if anybody turns up on your doorstep dressed like anyone in the pictures below, it's not candy you're going to need. No, it's a crucifix and a bottle of holy water. Because as you can see from this list compiled by Bored Panda, these vintage Halloween costumes are absolutely terrifying.

There probably are many components in making these vintage Halloween costumes looking as creepy as they do. First of all, the vintage photos were taken using much less sensitive cameras, so the picture itself looks quite gloomy and eerie, no matter its contents. Secondly, the arts and crafts supplies for making these Halloween costumes were close to nothing, so people often had to go about with old sheets, papier-mache masks, and low-quality dyes. And lastly, pictures for vintage Halloween character reference weren't so easy to come by, so imagination took a significant part in creating these creepy costumes.

Feeling adventurous? Then take a peek to our compilation of these scary costumes...if you dare! Oh, and you could probably still use these Halloween costume ideas today, especially if you want to scare the bejesus out of everybody.

#2

Scary Vintage Halloween Costumes

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Hans
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8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Excuse me, you have something in your eye...oh, nevermind."

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#5

Scary Vintage Halloween Costumes

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Ronja Rövardotter
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8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ok very very bad idea to look at these pics before I go to bed :-D This one is way too scary.

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#7

Scary Vintage Halloween Costumes

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Alc11
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8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My god! this reminds me of 'American Horror Story.' its just the 3rd thing....

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#10

Scary Vintage Halloween Costumes

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Ronja Rövardotter
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8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't know whether I am more scared by the masked guy or by the two bystanders at the back :-o very creepy

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#12

Scary Vintage Halloween Costumes

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Kirsten Lee
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8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I heard a story about this mother she had a daughter and she loved dolls so much that she wanted to make a real life doll out of real hair, skin eyes and etc... but anyways one night she ripped her daughters hair out then she skinned her daughter alive and made a doll into her thats what i heard but this reminds me of this urban legend its so cool though but then again really creepy lol

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#14

Scary Vintage Halloween Costumes

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David Lyle
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8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not a photo, This is one of my paintings titled "This Ends Here". Prints available at http://davidlylepaintings.bigcartel.com/

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#22

Scary Vintage Halloween Costumes

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Bea B.
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8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How can a few holes on a bit of cardboard tied around your face be so creepy??? Goodbye sleep!!!

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#35

Scary Vintage Halloween Costumes

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Grace Barclay
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8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am so very glad I live in a country that does not celebrate? Halloween. Truly, believe me, serious damage would be done to adults and/or children on my doorstep if they looked like this. I would not recover, ever, after a scare like this. Sorry kids...

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#37

Scary Vintage Halloween Costumes

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Maggie Grover Bacher
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8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

the kitchen witch. (actually a german witch that sweeps out the bad spirits during faschings)

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Scary Vintage Halloween Costumes

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#51

Scary Vintage Halloween Costumes

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Scary Vintage Halloween Costumes

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Lobo
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Added creepy factor. Look between the hands of the one on the far right..... is that a head???

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#60

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Deana
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8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Please tell me that a shorter kid is standing next to him...almost appears as though he is holding a severed head.

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#62

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Beth S
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Very scary, especially everything about the wee one at the front.

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#67

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Donald Scott
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Aaah, times when you had to make your own masks.. so much better don'tcha think?

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#83

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Gary Smith
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1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looks like the whos album cover. For meaty beaty big and bouncy.

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TheUnknownCrafters
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3 years ago

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brandon sat
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8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

it took me a second but the guy in the middle is standing with his back to us.

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#97

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Keira Way
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8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I bet none of these people knew that their costumes would still live on..

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