12 Timeless Halloween Costumes That Never Go Out of Style

The spooky season is here, and I refuse to be normal about it. After a 10-month wait, we're finally past Labor Day, and it's time to figure out what to wear.

Dressing up for Halloween can be either life's greatest pleasure (me) or an annual obligation (normies). If you don't want to come up with a clever costume every year, you might be more in the market for something you can reuse again and again, so you never have to worry about it again.

Don't fret; I'm here to help. That “Costco Guy” or “Hawk Tuah Girl” costume might seem hilarious this year, but next year, no one will know who that is (you might as well dress as “Left Shark”). With the more timeless Halloween reveler in mind, I've devised a list of 12 Halloween costume ideas that are guaranteed to stand the test of time.

Witch

Of all the ghosties and ghoulies that go bump in the night, witches have perhaps the strongest and most enduring association with Halloween.

A pointy hat, a black robe, and some green face paint will do the trick for a classic look. But if you want something more colorful and modern, try taking inspiration from the Hocus Pocus Sanderson sisters or even Marvel's Scarlet Witch.

Black Cat

Another Halloween staple, black cats have long been associated with the occult and macabre. So, what better way to dress for Halloween than as the spookiest of all the adorable animals?

Black cats can also make great couples costumes when paired with a witch. Even wholesome practitioners of the dark arts like Sabrina the Teenage Witch made sure to keep an obsidian feline close at hand.

Ghost

You need only look at the number of cable TV reality shows with the word “ghost” in their titles to see that this particular Halloween classic isn't going out of vogue anytime soon.

A ghost costume doesn't have to just be two eye holes snipped in a white sheet, though. Consider some accessories like Jacob Marley's chains or Patrick Swayze's pottery wheel.

Skeleton

So long as there are humans, there will be skeletons. So, it's safe to say this classic costume isn't in danger of being left behind by fashion. Just don't be too surprised if someone compliments you on your Phoebe Bridgers cosplay.

If you have something a little more colorful in mind, you can take inspiration from the skeleton costumes sported during Mexico's Day of the Dead (which conveniently takes place the day after Halloween).

Pirate

Pop culture fads come and go, but somehow, our collective fascination with pirates always seems to circle back around. From The Pirates of Penzance to Pirates of the Caribbean to the tragically short-lived Our Flag Means Death, swashbuckling sea dogs are never far from the spotlight.

The right pirate costume will make you ready to walk both the plank and the runway. Best of all, it's Halloween attire you can reuse again and again.

Mummy

Wasting an entire roll of tissue by turning yourself (or your little brother) into a toilet paper mummy is a surprisingly common childhood milestone among the people I've talked to. Did you miss out on this rite of passage? It's not too late!

I would, however, recommend going with a roll of gauze instead of toilet paper. It's more durable and won't instantly melt if you get caught in the rain.

Werewolf

I have no explanation for why a half-man/half-wolf is one of the most enduring monsters in popular culture, aside from the fact that wolves are awesome. They're basically dogs, and who doesn't love dogs?

If you want to add a spark of creativity to your costume, consider other animal hybrids, such as a werecat, a werebear, or a weregiraffe.

Frankenstein/Bride of

Yes, yes, I hear you: “Uh, actually, Frankenstein is the DOCTOR'S name.” Well, shut it, nerd! Frankenstein is the monster's dad, and therefore, they have the same last name. Deal with it.

This one also lends itself to one of the all-time greatest couple's costumes when you add in the Bride of Frankenstein (that's Bride of Frankenstein, not Bride of Frankenstein's Monster, so what's her husband's name, then? Checkmate).

Zombie

Just like the monsters themselves, the zombie fandom just won't die. If you thought they were a passing fad, AMC has about a half dozen The Walking Dead spin-offs that beg to differ.

Whether you crave brains or the flesh of the living, your zombie costume will be the hit of the party, and you can raise it from the dead each year for decades to come.

Vampire

Vampires also never seem to go away – although they do evolve. Whether you opt for the classic Dracula look or the sparkly Twilight variety, your vampire costume won't be seeing the inside of your closet for long.

My only advice is to make sure the party you're going to doesn't serve any snacks with garlic (not that you're a real vampire with an aversion to it; I'm just concerned about your breath).

Clown

Dressing as a clown for Halloween is as classic as it is versatile. You can be either spooky or silly (or both if your friends have coulrophobia).

A clown is a great Halloween costume for incorporating props and physical comedy, especially if you have any juggling or close-up magic skills. And I hope you do — if I see a clown, I expect to be either murdered or entertained, and I'm not ready to die.

Pumpkin

If the rest of the options on this list are a bit too spooky for you, there's one thing you can dress as that will still be recognizably Halloween-appropriate no matter the year: a pumpkin.

When you roll into the party in your best gourd duds, everyone who sees you will think, “Now, here's someone who knows Halloween.” They might also be thinking about a delicious pumpkin pie. But who can blame them?