Compare Halloween costumes, head to head

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Classic Ghost vs Classic Vampire: head to head

Two easy DIY costumes, head to head. Classic Ghost is the fastest (10 min). Classic Ghost can be made tonight with stuff you already own. Only the Classic Ghost works for young kids. Every one is rated Easy in our build guides and links to a full step-by-step below. Numbers come straight from our costume bank, which is what powers the Pick My Costume quiz.

Classic Ghost

A white sheet with cut-out eyes.

Make tonight

Yes - nothing to buy

Supplies to buy

small squares of black tulle (optional)

Use from home

Old bedsheet; Markers; Scissors

Build time

10 min

Effort

Easy

Best for

Kids and adults

Vibe

Cozy + Simple

Spookiness

🎃🎃 (2 of 3)

Why it wins

Top five for kids and adults alike. The most universal costume there is.

Step-by-step for the classic ghost →

Classic Vampire

Black cape, fangs, slicked hair.

Make tonight

Not yet - 4 to buy

Supplies to buy

Plastic vampire fangs; Red lipstick; White face powder; Black cape or black bedsheet, 1 (or make it)

Use from home

Black clothes; Hair gel or pomade, 1

Build time

25 min

Effort

Easy

Best for

Teens and adults

Vibe

Spooky + Cozy

Spookiness

🎃🎃🎃 (3 of 3)

Why it wins

Scary with 25 minutes of effort and it photographs great.

Step-by-step for the classic vampire →

The trade-offs, in plain English

• Classic Ghost: 10 min, nothing to buy beyond the assumed basics. Top five for kids and adults alike. The most universal costume there is.
• Classic Vampire: 25 min, needs 4 store items. Scary with 25 minutes of effort and it photographs great.

Every idea above also has a full free build guide with materials, numbered steps, and parent FAQs. Tap a photo or title.