4 of the scariest costumes in the world

What makes a Halloween costume really scary? Is it the terrifying monster the costume is bringing to life- or could it be not being able to see the person who thought dressing up as the terrifying monster is a good idea?

Whatever it may be, the truth is that the idea of what makes for a truly terrifying Halloween costume has changed a lot over the years. Way back when it used to be about the shock value.

These days, it’s more about the effort you put into the costume, and how good it looks (compared to what it’s supposed to be).

Think Zombie walks, where hundreds of people dress up as the undead to march (or drag themselves along, snapping at the heels of the living) through the streets.

The Four Scariest Halloween Costumes

We’re bringing back the old days. From Zombie to Scary clown, here are the four scariest (and in some ways, the most universal) Halloween costumes ever!

Zombie

Maybe the most popular these days- and for good reason. Anyone can dress up as a zombie because the whole point of the very idea of zombies is that anyone- your best friend, your brothers and sisters, even your own mom- could turn into a zombie and try to eat you.

Worse still, you could become a zombie and go after them!! Not only that but who cares if someone else has the same costume- a bunch of zombies is way scarier than just one, anyways!

All you need for the costume is ratty old clothes and some makeup to make yourself look dead. Some take this further than others, wearing contact lenses or using silicone to paint their skin with sores and lesions.

There are even shows dedicated to zombies now, spreading their undead popularity through the masses. So if you really want to scare people- get your shuffle on, and dress as a zombie this year.

Shadows

Perhaps one of the more unsettling Halloween costumes, people have been dressing as shadows or shadow people since Halloween began. It can be done in a variety of ways.

In the old days, people would wear long black cloaks or dresses, and create a paper mache, lumpy looking mask and paint it black to match the theme of a shadow.

Nowadays, some people just get large squares of sheer black cloth to cover themselves with or go for a more form fitting approach by dressing in black clothes with nylon over their faces.

However you decide to do it, it can’t be denied that it will be hard for cars and other trick or treaters to see you (which is kind of the point). If you decide to dress as a shadow, for your own safety please carry a reflective or brightly colored Halloween bag, and try to stick close to those with brighter costumes if you can.

Vampire

The original, the one and only, Vampire! And we’re not talking twilight. Give me your Draculas, your lost boys!

What is more scary than a shape-shifting bat that loves to enslave people by drinking their blood? Yea, pretty much nothing. The best part of it is that the vampire is pretty universally recognizable.

You can get away with a pair of cheap plastic fangs and a black plastic cloak if you want to. Some of the better costumes are really gorgeous, however, and you can even have a pair of fangs custom made for you, like a pair of dentures!

However you decide to do it, you can never go wrong with the classic Vampire! (and remember- should you meet one this Halloween, don’t let them come inside!).

Scary Clown

While most people used to associate the clown with happy and fun memories of the circus or carnival, some are absolutely terrified of the funny pranksters!

Whether you’re usually scared of clowns or not, the scary clown is now an undeniable cultural phenomenon. From the classic thriller “IT” to the insane clown posse, clowns have begun to become the things of nightmares.

All you need to meet the requirements for a scary clown costume is some basic makeup (make sure you have white for the coverup and a rainbow of colors for the rest) which doesn’t have to be perfect, especially for the role of scary clown- you can smear it, really make yourself look a mess! other than that, you just need a set of freaky looking, maybe torn clothes and you’re set to terrify all those who come across your path.