1950s Halloween: Vintage Costumes, Photos, & Ideas
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1950s Halloween, history of Halloween, 1950s Halloween costumes, and Vintage Halloween Pinup Girls
“If the broom fits, ride it!” — Unknown
In the 1950s, Halloween was loads of fun, with of course, a lighthearted prank or two thrown in for good measure.
Today we’ll get into the fun and spooky spirit of 1950s Halloween, as we explore the purpose of Halloween, Halloween costumes for kids (and adults), Halloween parties, trick-or-treating, and, of course, the sexy vintage Halloween pinup girls.
We wish you a fun and vintage-inspired Halloween!
Purpose of Halloween in the 1950s
“Witch parking only. All others will be Toad!” — Unknown
The history of this spooky holiday has its roots in the 1800’s.
Back in the day, the purpose of Halloween was to scare away the evil spirits on All Hallow’s Eve (October 31st), the day before All Saints Day (November 1).
By the time the 1950s rolled around, Halloween was no longer a serious religious holiday, but had morphed into a fun family time to enjoy the autumn.
Halloween in 1950s America was typically a lighthearted children’s holiday.
Kids loved dreaming up the perfect costumes and going trick-or-treating.
Sometimes adults also got into the festive spirit too.
Did anyone say party with a costume contest? Game on.
Special Halloween treats was also something the ‘50s wife could get all over!
Cakes, cookies, cupcakes, and of course weird jello dishes… anything delicious that was Halloween themed.
1950s Halloween Costumes & 1950s Halloween Masks
“Clothes make a statement. Costumes tell a story.” — Mason Cooley
Homemade costumes were very popular in the 1950s, with 50s housewives put their mad sewing skills to good use.
After World War II, radio and TV shows popularized pop culture.
Hit TV shows like The Adventures of Superman mesmerized audiences as the Man of Steel fought crime from 1952 to 1958.
Also, Westerns were a huge hit for the whole family.
Popular American action-adventure Western television series produced included Zorro, Davy Crockett, and of course Roy Rogers’ Lone Ranger.
Roy, the “The King of the Cowboys” partnered with Trigger “Smartest Horse in the Movies” for epic exploits.
So in the 1950s, pretty much every boy or girl at some point dreamed of being a cowboy or cowgirl.
This was one of the most popular vintage costumes.
Remember the old-fashioned “Cowboys and Indians” game for children?
Well, dressing up as Indians, or Indigenous People, was also another popular 1950s costume.
(In the 50s this wasn’t considered controversial or inappropriate as it is today)
Other fun things to dress up as?
Besides spooky ghosts and goblins, girls loved to be beautiful princesses and life saving nurses.
Oh yes, baseball players, doctors, and Disney characters like Donald Duck, or Goofy, were popular choices as well.
In the 1950s, a businessman, Ben Cooper, got the licenses to the most popular live action TV shows.
He mass produced inexpensive costume masks for less than $3/each, which sold like hotcakes.
This opened a whole new world of costuming to children.
Pair a mask, like Davy Crockett or Superman, with a homemade outfit and voilà the most cool costume ever!
Don’t you love these vintage photo prints highlighting these kids’ adorable 50s costumes?
“Where there is no imagination there is no horror.” — Arthur Conan Doyle
Adults also got into the Halloween spirit, and enjoyed competing in costume contests.
Check out the appealing homemade flair of these vintage costumes.
They have a fabulous retro, fun, and quirky vibe.
Simply combine your favorite thrift store find with a fake noses, mustaches, or oversized ears!
Which one catches your eye?
Love the girl’s white poodle skirt and want to learn how to re-create this iconic vintage Halloween look?
The Ultimate Guide to Poodle Skirts in the 1950s
1950s Vintage Pinup Costumes
During World War II, homesick men would pin up the images of their girls on barrack walls, inside their lockers, and in their submarines and vehicles.
The 1940s fascination with pinup girls continued into the 1950s.
And boy did they have fun with Halloween!
Black cats, witch hats, and jack-o-lanterns made the perfect props for the posing beauties.
Although these Hollywood actresses, fashion icons, and models would pose for publicity shoots and magazines, yet dressing up in these outfits to party or trick-or-treat was not a thing.
Debbie Reynolds looks adorable in her pinup maid costume (above), while Jane Greer shows some leg in the straw (below), and the legendary singer and dancer Ann Miller teases with her witches hat and spooky ensemble (below).
Don’t you love how cute and sexy these vintage Halloween pin-up costumes are?
Ann Miller’s eerie black cat looks ready to pounce!
For more on the vintage pinup girl aesthetic:
The Golden Age of the Pinup – Pin-up Girl History and Style
20 Wildly Popular 1950s Pin up Models
1950s Trick or Treat Time!
“Trick or treat, bag of sweets, ghosts are walking down the street.” — Unknown
Parents took their children to friendly neighborhoods for good old fashioned trick or treating.
Candy galore, as well as homemade Halloween goodies, like popcorn balls, were popular trick-or-treat handouts.
Similar to today, at the end of the nights, many kids would dump their candy out and separate out their favorites and trade for their favorites.
“I’ll trade you five tootsie roll pops for your full size (or king) candy bar!”
1950s Halloween Party Time
“It’s as much fun to scare as to be scared.” — Vincent Price
School Halloween parties, local Halloween parades, house parties, and themed events were all fun 1950s traditions, depending on the city.
Maybe start out the night bobbing for apples.
You know when kiddos would try to bite into an apple in the tin washtubs filled with water and apples.
And then go fill up your belly with a tasty vintage Holiday treat.
We love these recipe snippets we found in this 1950s Holiday Cookbook.
Humm, what shall we start with–possibly some celery brooms, cheese pumpkins, doughnut balls (rolled in orange colored sugar), black cats made from chocolate wafer candies, or maybe witches’ hats made from licorice gumdrops?
To round out the spread, how about some goblin franks, hot spiced cider, pumpkin ice cream, caramel apples, and popcorn balls?
Is anyone besides me, starting to get hungry?
Just let me know what time to show up, and I’ll be there… in my 1950s poodle skirt costume.
This post was all about 1950s Halloween
Did your family or grandparents have any special 50s Halloween traditions?
(Please share in the comments below.)
“Say boo and scary on.” — Unknown
Inspired by this post? Save the pin below to your Vintage Halloween Pinterest board. 🙂
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