Halloween Historical Costumes

Boy's Large Thomas Jefferson Theater Costume by Tabi's Characters

The most popular types of historical Halloween costumes inspired by the 18th Century are pirate costumes. Pirates have always inspired people at the time they were looking for masquerade or Halloween costumes because they were also their favorite games to play with their friends when they were kids.

Another reason for the huge popularity of pirate costumes on Halloween is that pirates lifestyle was studied not long ago further in the film Pirates of the Carribean and the results that came with it and for this reason pirate outfits are really appreciated in the present day.

During the 18th century, pirates used to sail the seas and blindly rob ships of diverse fleets. In historical terms, the 18th century was, for pirates, extremely lucrative for pirates. There are hundreds of history books that contain paintings of pirate costumes from this particular period from which you can get inspired on Halloween.

Here are a few well known pirates:

• Olivier Levasseur
• Hornigold
• Owel Davis
• David Williams

Photo: Colonial Girl Child Costume - Small (6/8)

A wonderful example of a historical Halloween costume that would come right from the 18th century is to see this period as a time of revolution.

During those 100 years there was the French Revolution and, of course, the American Revolution that led in the birth of the American United States. These revolutions bring about the opportunity of many superb historical costumes.

You could dress up as a member of the "third state"; which was the party of the people in France (black clothes with a white collar), a Founding Father of the United States or why not a Redcoat Soldier from Britain with an old time firearm that was used during that period.

The 18th century historical events and in particular revolutions should give you a lot of ideas for costumes if you are wanting to get something done.

Some interesting revolutionary characters:

• Charlotte Corday who killed Marat,
• General Lafayette (also called the fair-haired boy by the queen)
• Robespierre
• Danton
• Mrs Roland
• General Richard Montgomery
• George Washington
• James Madison
• John Adams
• Deborah Samson

And, why not choose the costume of Sanson de Longval. This character wasn't a revolutionary one but as the Paris executioner, he guillotined many nobles - even while he was a noble himself. After he killed King Louis XVI, he told the revolutionary tribunal he wouldn't accept to kill anyone else. Unfortunately, the revolutionary tribunal obliged him to continue his awful job otherwise they would have killed Sanson's entire family. After the Revolution, Sanson never worked any more.

Photo: Large Women's Renaissance Lady Theater Costume

Choosing a Halloween costume in the wide range of different types of clothes of the 18th Century is a real pleasure. For example, you could find inspiration for your Halloween costume in the very large collection of Royal clothes or nobility costumes.

As a matter of fact, fashion was quite changing in the 18th century and the courts of England, Russia and France are really inspirational when it comes to find a very unusual costume; whether for kids or adults.

Here are a few of the "nobles" you can get inspiration from:

• Louis XV
• Mrs de Pompadour
• Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette
• Queen Anne Stuart
• Kings George I and II of England
• Anne and Elisabeth of Russia
• Ivan of Russia

But also... intellectual characters, writers, such as:

• Marquis de Sade
• Montesquieu
• Jonathan Swift
• Casanova

and many more!

Photo: Colonial Man Adult Costume - X-Large

The average costume of the 18th century can also provide you with stunning ideas for a Halloween costume. How about a very extravagant tuxedo, top hat, boots and gloves for the gentlemen or a very elegant dress, a corset and leggings for ladies?

General allure was a large part of anything you would have done in the 18th century and if you want to revive this specific period through your historical Halloween costume, then you should aim as high as you can possibly go.

The average citizen, the farmer, the poor inhabitant of a town; all these people wore specific clothes; which were all different and were related to the area they lived, their culture, their finances... All of these types of clothes provide you with the chance to wear a historical Halloween costume that really will make you stand out from the crowd.