Ghost Costumes That Will Haunt the Party (In a Good Way)

A few years ago, I visited a branch of one of the largest toy chains you may have heard of. Various costumes appeared on the shelves. Naturally, I was more drawn to the scary costumes and examined them like a child in a candy store. Then I saw it. “Ghost costume,” it said on the packaging. I am naturally calm but I quickly lost my peace of mind this time. The costume was of Ghost Face, the killer character from the “Scream” movies. I understood where the mistake came from, because Ghostface has some ghostly features, but in all of the “Scream” movies, he is 100% human. “Who is in charge in here?” I declared assertively, because they say this is how a customer can obtain compensation, while holding a fake plastic knife I took from one of the shelves. When the person in charge arrived, probably just a temporary worker who had come into our hands by chance, I explained the arguments to him.

“Okay, so we understand this isn’t a Scream costume, genius. But what exactly does a ghost costume look like?” the young manager said. The question caught me off guard. “First of all, it’s a costume you can’t see, because a ghost is invisible to the human eye,” I tried to break the ice with a perfect joke. It didn’t work. The employees looked at me like I was a ghost, a baby on the other side of the store threw a tantrum, and one of the kids, who had been on his phone until now, threw a Brawl Stars Funko Pop at me. “Now, seriously. Look, there are a lot of… um… representations of ghosts in modern Western culture,” I tried to stall for time. “Like that scary character from that movie. Or something white, who looks dead but is alive. This is similar to the cinematic representation of the 1990s, which also assumes gender and socioeconomic differences. And there are also some appropriate accessories for ghosts, in a retrospective intertextuality.”

For some reason, everyone in the store understood that I was talking nonsense. “Do you want to write an article about it and get back to us?” someone suddenly suggested. “Yeah, sure! Thanks. I’m out of here,” I said, disappearing from the store like a ghost.

Oh, yes. In the following article, we will present what is vital about ghost costumes: from their main characteristics to different styles, from costumes for children to adults, including tips that can upgrade your appearance.

What are Ghost Costumes?

A ghost is one of the central and most identified characters in the world of horror. We have seen ghosts (well, at least stories and reports about ghosts) already in ancient folklore and mythologies, and of course also modern horror films, TV, and literature. It can scare us or tell us something about our lives (and deaths).

The basic definition of a ghost is “the supernatural appearance of a deceased person.” One of the basic stories we have seen in too many horror films is that the ghost represents the human soul, which remained on Earth and did not ascend to its next destination, heaven or hell. In many cases, the reason is a goal that the ghost was unable to fulfill in its life, and therefore it still roams among the living, trying to scare the film’s characters and make the film’s viewers jump.

How Does A Ghost Look Like?

The main question one should ask before buying a ghost costume is what physical appearance one is trying to achieve. The simple answer is that there is no unambiguous representation of a ghost, partly because there are countless different ghost stories, and there may be differences in their representation between cultures or in various periods.

If we are still looking for a general definition, we can argue that a ghost resembles a human in its structure and size, but it tends to be transparent, vague, and devoid of real existence (which means that, according to some stories, it can pass through walls). Sometimes the ghost is wrapped in white, which makes it possible to notice its presence even when it is transparent.

If we were to make a list of characteristics that are common to different ghost costumes, we could point to:

Color

The traditional and more familiar appearance of ghosts is relatively monochromatic, mainly white or grayish-white. The reason is that white symbolizes purity and the transition between the physical and spiritual worlds.

It is important to note that today, there are also many more colorful models of ghost costumes, whether based on an existing character from the cultural world or to add some color and interest to traditional costumes.

Transparency

Even in the 21st century, technology still does not allow us to create ghost costumes that are entirely transparent, or even partially, to indicate the fact that the ghost lives between worlds. However, it is possible to create an effect that resembles transparency and especially obscuration by choosing different types of thin fabrics.

Some materials reflect light or glow in the dark to create a supernatural effect.

Hovering

A ghost is often described as an entity not subject to the laws of gravity and can float in the air. There are still no costumes that can fly, but there are those that provide the illusion of movement and even levitation. Relatively light fabrics, flowing dresses, and long robes are some of the means that can create this feeling.

Why Are Ghost Costumes Popular?

A ghost costume is considered a favorite and popular choice among horror fans and “regular” people looking for a classic and cool idea. It offers several tangible benefits:

Simplicity

A ghost costume can be relatively simple to implement, without too many “gadgets” or complex elements. Sometimes, you need only a limited number of items for your costume. The costume is also not too sophisticated, for example, in terms of technological components, so its price may be fair compared to other types of scary costumes.

By the way, costumes can offer a certain depth – for example, raising questions about life, death, and the afterlife, and dealing with the fundamental fear of death. Still, most people probably don’t buy costumes to discuss such philosophical topics.

Timeless classic

Ghost costumes offer a well-known and iconic image that even people unfamiliar with all the horror icons can recognize. The costume is considered a classic choice, which can be relevant almost at any time, or ironically even timelessly.

This contrasts with some of the cultural icons of the horror world that may become a matter of fashion, or less interesting after a certain period. However, it is important to note that there are costumes of familiar and even iconic ghosts from the horror genre, such as characters from “Beetlejuice,” “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” Tim Burton’s “Corpse Bride,” villains from “Ghostbusters”, and others.

Comfort

Another potential advantage of a ghost costume is its ability to be light and easy to wear. The focus here is usually on lightweight materials, such as loose fabrics, which do not restrict movement and allow for comfort over time. On the other hand, we can mention other costumes considered more cumbersome, with “heavy” elements (say, armor), thick materials that cause suffocating heat inside the costume, and so on.

With all due respect to the photos we see on Instagram, choosing a costume you can be inside it for more than a few clicks of the camera is essential. A ghost costume can be much more comfortable, even after a few hours.

How To Make A Ghost Costume?

Choose A Style For Your Ghost

Ghosts, as mentioned, are divided into several main groups, which creates a wide variety of costume options in the field. You can find a classic and even basic costume, of a person covered with a sheet with eyes, and alongside this, ghost costumes in various styles, like:

👻 Gothic ghost costume

👻 Victorian ghost costume

👻 Bloody ghost costume

👻 Sexy ghost costume

👻 Zombie ghost costume

The costume can also be the ghost version of other characters, such as brides, doctors, teachers, or soldiers. The accessories and other parts of the performance, such as ghost makeup, can define the style.

Despite (and perhaps because of) the simple general concept, ghost costumes offer more space for personal expression or creativity. You can play with the colors, textures, style, makeup, accessories, and more. With a bit of imagination, or if you like tutorials on YouTube and elsewhere on the Internet, you can create an interesting and even unique version of the ghost, to suit your look or the overall look you want to make: to amuse, to scare, to pay homage to beloved ghosts, and so on. A ghost costume for adults can be, for example, scary and menacing, while a corresponding costume for children can play more on the cute or funny side of the ghost: for example, funny ghost costumes, smiling, with the caption “Boo!”.

Another division, of course, is according to the target audience of the costume. You don’t have to be an expert in the field to know that there is likely to be a difference between a ghost costume for women and a corresponding ghost costume for men, and of course there are ghost costumes for children, girls, boys, girls and even toddlers (and as you know, it can be challenging to find a scary costume for children).

This is one of the few costumes within the scary genre suitable for a wide age range, allowing for matching between couples and even expanding shared costumes. There are even some dog ghost costumes, a great choice for those looking for some scary dog costumes.

Buy Some Ghost Accessories

Various costumes with complementary accessories can only be complete or more interesting. In the case of ghosts, you can find various accessories, such as:

👻 Halloween-related accessories, such as a Jack-o-lantern

👻 Products that express the “chaining” of spirits to the world of the living, such as decorative necklaces and handcuffs

👻 White or transparent gloves, to add a uniform dimension to the costume

👻 Wigs, mainly in light shades such as white or gray

👻 Lighting – flashlights, LED lights, or light strips you can add to the costume

👻 Tools for producing sounds, which can be scary

👻 Jewelry, depending on the character’s style: necklaces with mysterious pendants, Victorian accessories, Gothic elements, and more

👻 Complementary accessories that can be related to the character’s backstory, such as antique objects, watches, books, and the like

The bottom line is that with proper planning and sometimes investment, ghost accessories can turn a relatively simple costume into an impressive, personalized, or even unforgettable one, without spending too much cash.

Consider A Ghost Makeup

When building a costume, one of the main questions is whether to incorporate ghost makeup (in most cases, the answer is yes), or, specifically, how to make it.

The right makeup can upgrade the costume, or even be one of the main components in building your appearance. Therefore, the question is not whether to incorporate makeup, but exactly what makeup is most appropriate in a given case. The makeup can focus on skin color (usually, light shades) and also include elements that relate to the fact that the ghost is dead, or at least experienced something unpleasant in the past: signs of injuries, scars, etc.

It is too short to detail all the possibilities, especially since the writer of these lines is far from being a makeup expert. You can find guides (photographed or written) on the Internet that will explain the main principles. Here is a short and to-the-point video, about 3 minutes long, with some interesting ideas:

Those who want to invest can buy a makeup kit for a ghost costume or even use the services of a designer.

How Much Does A Ghost Costume Cost?

Based on the distinction we made between different types and styles of ghost costumes, it isn’t easy to pinpoint the price you will pay unequivocally. The price range here is quite broad. Starting from costumes priced at a few dozen dollars, which will mainly include a robe and a white sheet, through costumes at intermediate prices that add additional items to the equation or basic effects, to costumes at a higher price, sometimes even premium costumes: for example, high-end costumes, designer costumes or those that are custom-made, and of course costumes that include interesting technologies and innovations.

The bottom line is that the price of a ghost costume can be reasonable, even compared to other scary costumes. If you stick to the general image of a ghost and not necessarily a specific ghost character, the prices may be more affordable. After all, official character costumes require a license to manufacture, which may ultimately be passed on to the buyer. Like in other areas, branded products will almost always be more expensive.

Here are some tips that can lower the price of a ghost costume for you:

👻 Sales and Discounts – Costume stores and websites offer great deals occasionally, such as in the months after Halloween. Look for general discount days, such as Black Friday or Chinese Singles’ Day, but remember that sometimes these days don’t actually offer discounts, but rather the feeling of a discount.

👻 Price comparison – A simple online search can save you money. Significant differences exist between stores and websites, even for the same product. Those who invest a relatively modest effort in researching can find the costume at the most affordable price.

👻 Delivery – If you order costumes from abroad (some suitable sites below), pay attention to the shipping cost. However, sometimes shipping hides some pitfalls. For example, a costume that supposedly increases its price to reduce shipping, or even the opposite.

👻 Reuse – High-quality accessories for a ghost costume or other costumes can be integrated into the costume. Of course, the higher the quality of accessories you buy in advance, the greater the chances that they will last for a relatively long period

Where Can You Buy Ghost Costumes?

Physical Stores

The first place you can find a ghost costume is costume stores, and at various times throughout the year, mainly in the weeks before Halloween, or another equivalent. The costumes are also available in toy stores, stock stores, and so on, especially during such periods. In the run-up to the holiday, special stands are also opened in shopping malls, offering a variety of costumes, sometimes at discounted prices.

The advantage is that you can see the costume with your own eyes (or at least in a bag), and sometimes even try it on. In contrast, the variety of costumes may be quite limited in the physical stores, especially if you want something with a twist. You may have trouble finding the perfect costume for you.

Online Stores And Markets

Another option is to buy costumes on online sites, most of which you should already be familiar with if you have read our previous reviews of scary costumes:

• Halloween Costumes – one of the largest and most popular costume sites. An extensive variety of costumes and complementary accessories, many of them unique to the website. The quality is decent, and there are many shipping options
• Fun.com – an online store with products in many categories, including high-quality costumes. As of now, Fun.com is part of Halloween Costumes.
• Costumes.com – a superb costume website with a wide range of models. We saw some pretty cool costumes here.
• Amazon – offers a wide range of ghost costumes for all ages, including shipping to many countries. It has official stores and products of the biggest costume companies in the market.
• Etsy – offers mainly handmade and unique ghost costumes. Prices may be higher, as may shipping. You can find some of the most special and luxurious options on Etsy.
• AliExpress – relatively cheap costumes, but there are bargains and great costumes at a reasonable cost. Check the shipping or delivery times, and order well in advance to avoid delays.

If you are looking for a costume for an upcoming event or are remembering the 90th minute, physical stores will be the fastest, or even the only, solution. We always recommend not waiting until the last minute and checking online because online sites usually offer a larger selection (including cool and unique costumes), sometimes at better prices.

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