As you eyeball your local store's polybagged Halloween costumes, which seem to get smaller and smaller every year, you might feel nostalgic for the days when you could just throw on a sweet princess gown or a spooky vampire cape and fill up your trick-or-treat bag without a care. Done. We're taking you back to those glory days with the most popular kids' costumes of decades past.
1890s: Quirky Originals
While it's hard to get a good idea of the precise theme here (aside from the cowboy and the tiny millionaire Robber Baron), you can tell that a lot of love when into these early Halloween ensembles.
1900s: A Haunting Scene
Back in the early 1900s, your costume options were certainly limited, but your decorations were not. We'll focus on the positives here (instead of the horrifying): Those little black cats are adorable.
1910: Classic Witches
When in doubt, simply wear a black, pointy hat.
1920s: Chic Ballerina
Pamela Layton McMurtry, author of A Harvest and Halloween Handbook, shared this photo of her grandmother in a so-stylish costume.
1929: Flapper Fun
Three Cincinnati girls — a flapper, a clown and a masked boss — amuse each other before their Halloween festivities.
1930s: The Invisible Man
At first we thought this was a mummy, but upon further reflection, it seems this disguise was inspired by the 1933 version of "The Invisible Man."
1934: Old-Fashioned And Festive
A toy soldier, fairy princess, Bo Peep and a Dutch girl still make us smile over 80 years later.
Photo via Provincial Archives of Alberta
1940: A Princess And Her Pals
Might this have been the last time kids were happy with fruit-based games at a Halloween party? (Note the apples dangling from string.) Perhaps.
1947: Giddy-Up, Partner
Though he doesn't seem too thrilled about it, this little cowboy's costume is downright adorable.
1948: Precious Posse
This snapshot caught our eye for a reason other than the too-cute costumes: It depicts a young Robert Sengstacke (standing, left), who would grow up to be a notable documentary photographer.
1955: The Gimme Candy Gang
These kids make no bones about the true goal of Halloween: getting tons of candy.
1955: Beware The Bunny
A party host greets her guests (and seems reasonably apprehensive at the sight of the crowd). Can that bunny even see out of its mask?
1959: Party At The Park
This outdoor gathering features all the go-to costumes of the time: Clowns, princesses, a bride, Uncle Sam, Bugs Bunny, Mickey Mouse, a skeleton and a ballerina.
Photo via Library of Virginia
1960: A Chivalrous Squad
No grabbing for candy here. Led by a knight in shining armor, this group politely waits their turn.
1965: Classic Clown
The polka dots, the ruffled hat, those rouged cheeks ... clown costumes are perfect for little kids. (Though the little girl dressed in a shift dress and pearls also is fantastic.)
1966: The Batdancers
Before there was the Prince song of the same name, there was an actual Batdance. Sort of. These dance students performed a "Batman" themed dance in 1966. (The iconic caped crusader TV show debuted in January of that year!)
1969: A Mask Masquerade
Why bother with makeup when you can simply transform into a princess, a clown or even a cat with the help of a mask?
1970: Robo Friends
Back then, we thought that robots in the future would be so much ... boxier.
Photo via Florida Memory
1970: Pumpkin Parade
A dragon greets her preschool classmates — including a witch, a cat and a goblin — holding their decorated jack-o-lanterns.
1971: OG Super Girls
Event and lifestyle expert Jamie O'Donnell shared this photo of her and her sister as mini Wonder Woman and Super Girl. The most adorable part? Their mom made their costumes. (She's the real hero here!)
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