9 Historical Halloween Costume Ideas from the Library of Congress

Halloween might look a little different this year due to the pandemic, but that needn’t stop you from having the coolest get-up at your Zoom costume party.

Need some outfit inspiration? The Library of Congress’s extensive online archives offer countless historical photos you can draw from.

Here are a few of our favorite reference images, plus some adorable costume ideas for the pets in your life.

Flapper

Alice Joyce wearing antique gold emb. in rubies (undated)

Aviator

AVIATION, ARMY. AVIATOR (1916-1919)

Viking

Brünnhilde (1936)

Clown

[CLOWNS ON A HORSE] (1915-1917)

Retro Baseball Player

Joyce [Washington baseball player] (1894-1901)

Suffragette

Suffragettes - Mrs. John Blair, Mrs. N. de R. Whitehouse, Mrs. J.L. Laidlaw (1905-1917)

Cowboy

[Cowboy with lariat and horse pose near wall] (1930-1960)

Bellhop

Tommy Atkins (1905)

Ringmaster

Society Circus, Ft. Myer. Capt. John H. Irving, Ringmaster, [...] B. Hood, Announcer and Warrant [...] Kreutz, Asst. Ringmaster (1924)

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