DashJ

When it comes to Halloween, sometimes it's fun to stick to the traditional spooky costumes. Sure, trendy ideas based on TV shows can be fun, but costumes like witches, ghosts, and skeletons never go out of style. Plus, they take some of the stress out of the Halloween costume planning.

Take the classic skeleton. It doesn't get spookier, plus you can take any costume to the next level by adding a skeleton layer. Skeleton princess? Of course. Skeleton cowboy? Absolutely. You get the idea. Now while you can go all out with the DIY on this project (think black leggings and a T-shirt and a roll of duct tape), we prefer to keep it a bit simpler and start with a pair of store-bought skeleton pajamas. They're affordable and comfortable and will help you keep your pre-Halloween sanity. With this basic start, you can add any fun elements you want for a costume for kids, men, or women. From there, use your imagination, or keep reading for one of our fun ideas.

Skeleton Face Paint

Eugenio Marongiu

Use this basic face paint idea as the basis for any skeleton costume. Or, if you have a teen or tween who isn't into the whole costume idea, this can be his whole look. All you need is some face paint. Start with a white base over the entire face, then outline the eyes in black. Add some more simple black lines and cracks around the mouth and elsewhere on the face.

Skeleton Face Paint

Snazaroo White Face Paint

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CODACE Black Face Paint Stick

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Amazon Essentials White T-Shirts

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Snazaroo Face Paint Brush

Girl Skeleton Costume

D-Keine

Add a feminine twist to the skeleton costume with this fun look. It works as well for children as it does for adults. You probably have a skirt in your closet that will work. The black combat boots give it an edge.

Girl Skeleton Costume

Smiffys Headband Hat

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French Toast Gray Skirt

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Spooktacular Creations Skeleton Costume

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DREAM PAIRS Combat Boots

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Skeleton Costume Shirt

Remains

We love this simple but fun idea for a skeleton costume. Start with a black or white T-shirt, and draw shapes on it to mimic the rib cage, then cut out using sharp fabric scissors. Don't worry about perfection here. Layer it over the opposite color T-shirt to complete the effect and finish with black and white face paint.

T-Shirt Skeleton Costume

Comfort Colors White T-Shirt

Amazon Essentials Black T-Shirt

BOBISUKA Black and White Face Paint

SINGER Fabric Scissors

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Ringmaster Skeleton

vzphotos

Can decide on just one costume? No problem. Pair a skeleton costume with any other idea for a fun look. In this case, a skeleton gets a ringmaster twist with a top hat and jacket. Dress up the hat and sleeves with some red-and-gold ribbon.

Ringmaster Skeleton Costume

BesserBay Skeleton Costume

Kangaroo Top Hat

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Van Heusen Black Suit Jacket

Chuangdi Red Velvet Ribbon

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Katie Bowlby is Digital Director at Country Living, where she covers gift guides, product reviews, crafts, and TV shows like Yellowstone. She’s currently stitching up a cross-stitch pattern for the magazine’s next issue 

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