Go Back to Basics With These Traditional and Classic Halloween Costume Ideas

Pair orange clothing — whether that's a dress, a tutu, an oversize T-shirt, or leggings and a top — with a green hair accessory, and you turn into the most iconic symbol of Halloween: a pumpkin. If you're feeling artsy, turn your face into a jack-o'-lantern using Halloween makeup, too.

Yes, a classic Halloween costume can be as simple as tossing a white sheet over your head. Make it a sexy ghost by adding heels and fishnets.

Frankenstein's monster is one of those classic Halloween costumes you can pull off with just a face of makeup. Draw on face stitches and give yourself a greenish glow, then don all black for an easy Frankenstein costume.

Clowns are a classic Halloween character, though they can range from innocent and joyous to terrifying. Keep it simple with some clown-style lipstick, a hat, and a neck ruffle, or go full Pennywise from "It."

If you have a wolf cut, this is the classic Halloween costume for you. Wolf-inspired makeup, tousled hair, earth-tone clothes, and fur accessories (or a coat, if it's cold) turn you into this iconic monster.

The witch is such a classic Halloween character, chances are, you've already dressed as one at least once in your life. That doesn't mean this costume is boring, though. Dig up your witch hat, then use your current favorite black clothes and accessories to turn yourself into a modern-day spell-caster.

If you can get your hands on a skeleton onesie, you're all set for this classic Halloween costume. Otherwise, you can rely on makeup (plus all-black clothing) to give you the skeleton look.

Whether you're channeling Salem from "Sabrina" or Thackery Binx from "Hocus Pocus" or you just want an excuse to dress simple and/or sexy for Halloween, this classic costume comes to the rescue. To be a cat, all you really need are ears and an all-black ensemble.

With a red dress and devil horns, you can assume the classic role of the devil this Halloween. If it's chilly outside, just add leather.

There are countless ways to dress as a classic vampire this Halloween, though you'll need either fake fangs, fake blood, or a really good cape to pull it off.

If fake blood is your jam, then your ideal classic Halloween costume might just be a zombie. Whether you want to be a cordyceps-covered one like from "The Last of Us" or something more abstract, you can't go wrong with fake wounds and blood, deathly makeup, and dirty or torn clothes.

A timeless Halloween costume that requires no more than a roll of toilet paper? The humble mummy, of course. To make your costume a bit more durable, opt for white clothing and medical gauze instead.

The most classic witch of all, the Wicked Witch of the West allows you to reuse that old black hat while giving you an excuse to play with some seriously impressive Halloween makeup.

Spiders are a classic symbol of Halloween, though it's not always easy to dress like one. You could create an elaborate eight-legged costume using pool noodles or the like, or simply paint on some spiderweb-inspired makeup and attach some decorative spiders to your jewelry or clothes.

Go solo as an angel, or tag-team with a friend to go as the angel and devil. Either way, it's a classic Halloween costume everyone will recognize at a glance.

If either "Mean Girls" or "Legally Blonde" was the movie of your adolescence, the image of Regina George and/or Elle Woods dressed as a bunny for Halloween is surely burned into your memory. This classic costume comes together using just a pair of bunny ears.

Just want an excuse to wear space buns? Be an alien for Halloween. Collect all your most otherworldly pieces of clothing and accessories, and slather on as much glitter as possible.

Grab a billowing white shirt, a red or black jacket, and gold jewelry from your closet, then get your hands on a pointy pirate hat and hook hand, and watch your pirate costume come to life.

If you opt for sweet over scary on Halloween, you can't go wrong with a Disney princess costume. Even better, it's the perfect excuse to rewear one of your old prom dresses or bridesmaid gowns.

Get crafty creating a pair of bat wings — OK, or just buy some on Amazon — and you have an easy way to create the classic Halloween bat costume.

If your favorite part of fall is heading to a pumpkin patch, displaying fresh sunflowers, or picking apples, go for the classic Halloween costume of a scarecrow. With a flannel top or denim overalls, some easy makeup, and a straw hat, you're golden.