Jeepers, creepers...what's wrong with my peepers!?
If you did a double-take when you saw the criminally-creative costumes before you, don't worry – we had to have a look or three at them ourselves! Halloween often has us believing that our eyes are playing tricks on us, but this special breed of costume will definitely have you taking a second look! No, it's not the black magic of Halloween (or photo-editing, for that matter) – these abnormally-amazing costumes use the magic of creativity to deliver the spellbinding effects of illusion. These costumes are a display of ghastly genius, and even the hardest of the hard-to-impress will be wondering how the creators pulled them off! If you're looking for a deviously different costume this Halloween, the magic of illusion may just be the inspiration you seek!
Man in a Cage
Sent in by Valerie to our 2011 costume contest.
This poor fellow seems to be at the mercy of this petrifying primate. This unique illusion costume is sure to have every passerby calling the local zookeeper! Is this a pair of Halloween tricksters, a prop, or a new breed of super ape? You decide...
Mermaid in Pirate's Treasure Chest
Sent in by Danielle to our 2012 costume contest.
Ahoy thar ye scurvy Halloween tricksters! This nautically-naughty garb is sure to have ye scouring the depths of the Dead Sea to find the treasure chest that holds the secret to its creation! Just stay away from me gold doubloons, 'lest ye be hankerin' for a trip to Davy Jones' Locker!
Genie on a Magic Carpet
Sent in by Terra to our 2013 costume contest.
If you're 'dreamin' of genie' like this young Halloween lover, you'd do well to draw the scent of inspiration from her magic bottle! This ingenious illusion will turn heads and is tremendously fun for the wee creatures that tend to enjoy Halloween the most. Do you believe in levitation? I do after seeing this sweet setup!
Troll On Your Back
Sent in by Will to our 2012 costume contest.
While we all have the proverbial "monkey on our backs" from time-to-time, few of us can say we've had trolls on our backs! Costumes like these are clever in their simplicity and generate eerily-impressive effects without a whole lot of effort. If you're afraid to face the Halloween streets alone, this little troll is just dying to accompany you....
Head in a Jar
Sent in by Kimberly to our 2009 costume contest.
It just wouldn't be Halloween without a severed head or ten! This convincing costume can be enjoyed by all, and set-up consists of only a few common items and simple modifications. Forget the Headless Horseman – headless humans are taking the reigns this Halloween, and heads will surely roll from the sheer awesomeness of costumes like this one!
It's all smoke and mirrors....
Add a bit of magic to your Halloween night by crafting your own infectious illusions! These costume ideas are sure to cause an epidemic of entertaining creatures scaring about on Halloween night! You don't need to be a witch or unearth ancient spell books to pull off great costumes like these. As you can see from the examples on this page, you need only an idea, some inventive creativity, and simple materials to create a costume that will "wow!". Gather up what you can find, gaze upon these wretchedly-wonderful ideas, and mix up a special brew in the cauldron of your imagination!
(Click on the images below for detail on each costume)
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You may just want to have a second look at your own costume as well! If you have a costume in mind already, you can easily enhance it by incorporating an illusion. Have your neighbors, friends, and fellow Halloween lovers wondering how you pulled it off. The streets are your audience on Halloween night and, like a fine magic act, you can leave them smiling, awe-struck, and talking about your costume long after the holiday has passed on!
See also: 70 Creative Optical Illusion Halloween Costumes.
