10. A Shadow
If you have a black cap with eyes and nose cut out, you could be a shadow; of course, most people will just think you are a burglar. This will work, too, as long as you are invited. If you’re not invited, be sure to watch out for baseball bats.
9. Priest
If you can wear a white collared shirt beneath a black sweater or long-sleeved shirt, you are set. Add a cross if you have one.
8. Johnny Cash
This one works best if you can slick your hair back, you have a guitar (toy or otherwise), and you can mumble like Joaquin Phoenix.
7. Cat
Of course, you could be any black animal—maybe even a Halloween honey badger?—but this one seems particularly in season. You could grab some ears and a tail for a couple of dollars at the craft store, but if you draw on your own whiskers that will probably be enough right there.
6. Soot Sprite
Only fans of Miyazaki films will get this one, but if you are going to a Miyazaki party, you are set.
5. Dead…Anything
People always go as dead brides, cheerleaders, whatever. Just mess your face and hair up, add some blood or dark makeup, and be a corpse.
4. Rocky Horror Extra
If your black outfit includes fishnets, you can dress up like Magenta or someone else from Dr. Frankenfurter’s party.
3. Wednesday Addams
She’s my favorite, and so easy to do: just wear braided pigtails if you have them, or grab a wig. Or be a homicidal maniac—they look like everyone else, remember?
2. God
Nobody knows what God looks like, so you’re good to go. You could also be Nymphadora Tonks or that guy from The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus with the same line of thought.
1. Grim Reaper
If you have any kind of skeletal mask—or even some black and white paint and a decent hand—you can pull this one off. Add a cape if you have one.