TBT: Historical Halloween Costume Ideas (Without Cultural Appropriation)

TBT: Super Awesome People™ in History.

The CDC may have warned against traditional Halloween celebrations this year, but whether you’re hosting a virtual Halloween party or propelling sweets down to socially-distanced trick-or-treaters with your DIY candy chute, you’ll need a fun costume for maximum holiday enjoyment.

BUT FIRST, A DISCLAIMER!

Here’s the thing. It’s really easy for a Halloween costume—especially one tied to a historical period or a real person—to be offensive. There are SO MANY articles about how to AVOID being racist or culturally appropriating with your costume, and I’ve linked to a few below. But the basics are pretty simple.

1.) No blackface. No brownface. No yellowface. PERIOD.
2.) Cultural traditions are not costumes—especially religious/spiritual regalia that are not part of your heritage.
3.) Be *especially* mindful if you want to dress as someone from a marginalized culture that was historically (or is currently) oppressed.
4.) “Historical” costumes from big-box Halloween stores/Disney-fied versions of historical characters are likely offensive. Doubly so for the “sexy” versions of the costumes.
5.) And finally (if you can do it sensitively), dress as a specific person—not as a cultural stereotype.

More About Cultural Appropriation (and Historical Accuracy):

What’s Wrong with Cultural Appropriation? These 9 Answers Reveal Its Harm (Everyday Feminism)
How To Not Culturally Appropriate On Halloween This Year (Bustle)
How To Choose a Halloween Costume That Isn’t Racist (GQ)
Cultural Appropriation, A Perennial Issue On Halloween (NPR)
My Culture Is NOT A Costume (Teen Vogue/YouTube)
Cultures Are Not Costumes (Kat Blaque/YouTube)
Historically Accurate Halloween Costumes (History Channel/YouTube)
500 Years of Correcting “Historical” Halloween Costumes (Bernadette Banner/YouTube)

BUT YOU CAN STILL HAVE FUN WITH IT!

If you’re like me, you’ve really leveled-up your sewing game this year (thanks, homemade face masks!), and a little craftiness will help you DIY a costume that is far less insensitive (and probably more accurate) than what the big-box stores sell. Here are ideas for pet costumes, kid costumes, and adult costumes featuring Super Awesome People™ in History.

Horatio the Cat!

Horatio the Cat was first featured in a post here. This adorable fuzzball has donned many elaborate costumes while promoting the collection of the Centre County Library in Pennsylvania. Check out a few of his clever disguises below and follow @centrecountylibrary on Instagram for more costume ideas.

Pioneering Journalist Nellie Bly
(Instagram @centrecountylibrary)

Kids Costume Ideas (No-Sew)!

The clothing store Primary has lots of DIY ideas for kids costumes (baby to age 12). The costumes are super-cute and easy to make “last-minute”, if you have the materials you need—some of which are products you can buy directly from their online store.