Vintage Costumes & Halloween Photographs from Toronto

Halloween is just around the corner and I thought I would put together an album of old photographs showing people dressing up in costume throughout the 20th century. From weddings to cultural celebrations and of course, Halloween, these locals showcase their now vintage costumes for all to see.

Vintage Costumes
1998-ryan-cohen
Vintage Costumes
1993-pirate-jamie-natale-skeleton-brendan-ogrady-and-robin-hood-trevor-tsuji-lead-williamson-road-pupils-yesterday-on-their-annual-parade
1993-krystle-lynn-spittal-black-creek-pioneer-village
1993-krystle-lynn-spittal-black-creek-pioneer-village
1992-wizardry-to-place-third-in-the-kids-category
1992-wizardry-to-place-third-in-the-kids-category
1992-jennfier-frotten-a-ryerson-fashion-student-won-third-place-with-her-genie-costume
1992-jennfier-frotten-a-ryerson-fashion-student-won-third-place-with-her-genie-costume
1992-hugo-the-hunchback-a-k-a-frank-ramirez-lurched-off-with-first-place-honors-escorted-by-sorceress-linda-faas
1992-hugo-the-hunchback-a-k-a-frank-ramirez-lurched-off-with-first-place-honors-escorted-by-sorceress-linda-faas
1992-hannah-pallett-arthurs-top-shealagh-earle-meadows-michelli-vachon-and-claire-salloum-haunt-williamson-road-school-yesterday
1992-hannah-pallett-arthurs-top-shealagh-earle-meadows-michelli-vachon-and-claire-salloum-haunt-williamson-road-school-yesterday
1992-gianfrance-ciarmela-18-months-shows-off-his-mothers-first-prize-handiwork-in-the-childrens-category
1992-gianfrance-ciarmela-18-months-shows-off-his-mothers-first-prize-handiwork-in-the-childrens-category
1992-falon-fiorino-5-won-second-prize-as-ursula-the-octopus
1992-falon-fiorino-5-won-second-prize-as-ursula-the-octopus
1992-betty-robinson-80-and-bethany-chekay-from-lescon-learners-child-care-centre-enjoy-a-party-at-the-seniors-health-centre-in-north-york
1992-betty-robinson-80-and-bethany-chekay-from-lescon-learners-child-care-centre-enjoy-a-party-at-the-seniors-health-centre-in-north-york
1991-cy-matthews-5-of-scarborough-above-is-dressed-as-an-aftican-princess-set-for-war-in-a-costume-made-by-aftrican-fusion-of-the-scarborough-caribbean-sports-club
1991-cy-matthews-5-of-scarborough-above-is-dressed-as-an-aftican-princess-set-for-war-in-a-costume-made-by-aftrican-fusion-of-the-scarborough-caribbean-sports-club
1990-the-monster-bash-kideo-above-from-left-buddy-goodfellow-p-j-styles-and-ace-manners-rehearses-its-halloween-show-saturday-at-north-york-city-hall
1990-the-monster-bash-kideo-above-from-left-buddy-goodfellow-p-j-styles-and-ace-manners-rehearses-its-halloween-show-saturday-at-north-york-city-hall
1989-matt-yanchyshyn-10-and-his-brother-ben-8-are-decked-out-for-safe-trick-or-treating-with-a-flashlight-and-reflective-tape-on-their-costumes
1989-matt-yanchyshyn-10-and-his-brother-ben-8-are-decked-out-for-safe-trick-or-treating-with-a-flashlight-and-reflective-tape-on-their-costumes
1989-caped-crusaders-are-everywhere-as-a-flock-of-preschoolders-who-turned-up-at-the-halloween-party-at-kew-park-montessori-school
1989-caped-crusaders-are-everywhere-as-a-flock-of-preschoolders-who-turned-up-at-the-halloween-party-at-kew-park-montessori-school
1987-huge-pumpkin-a-halloween-fantasy-alison-march-6-shopping-for-her-halloween-pumpkin-at-greenview-fruit-market-on-danforth-ave-107-kg-235-lbs
1987-huge-pumpkin-a-halloween-fantasy-alison-march-6-shopping-for-her-halloween-pumpkin-at-greenview-fruit-market-on-danforth-ave-107-kg-235-lbs
1987-francoise-mougeon-hands-out-halloween-treats-to-alyssa-3-and-victoria-6
1987-francoise-mougeon-hands-out-halloween-treats-to-alyssa-3-and-victoria-6
1986-19-month-old-cody-cooper-discovers-yet-another-one-when-he-and-his-dad-were-bringing-it-home-for-halloween
1986-19-month-old-cody-cooper-discovers-yet-another-one-when-he-and-his-dad-were-bringing-it-home-for-halloween
1985-these-halloween-horrors-practise-a-little-hocus-pocus-at-morrissey-magic-store-in-north-york
1985-these-halloween-horrors-practise-a-little-hocus-pocus-at-morrissey-magic-store-in-north-york
1985-academy-school-of-hairdressing-in-mississauga
1985-academy-school-of-hairdressing-in-mississauga
1981-haider-khan-with-his-daughters-seema-4-and-huma-7-celebrate-the-end-of-ramadan-in-earl-bales-park-north-york-yesterday-khan-and-his-daughters-are-dressed-in-ceremonial-costume
1981-haider-khan-with-his-daughters-seema-4-and-huma-7-celebrate-the-end-of-ramadan-in-earl-bales-park-north-york-yesterday-khan-and-his-daughters-are-dressed-in-ceremonial-costume
1979-eddie-mcmillan-comes-up-with-a-mouthful-of-apple-and-water
1979-eddie-mcmillan-comes-up-with-a-mouthful-of-apple-and-water
1972-the-bride-and-all-members-of-the-wedding-party-wore-18th-century-costumes-when-janis-dart-married-leonard-bargent-in-islington-united-church
1972-the-bride-and-all-members-of-the-wedding-party-wore-18th-century-costumes-when-janis-dart-married-leonard-bargent-in-islington-united-church
1977-costume-wedding-between-york-university-history-graduate-donald-dayton-and-university-of-toronto-psychology-graduate-barbara-carlson
1977-costume-wedding-between-york-university-history-graduate-donald-dayton-and-university-of-toronto-psychology-graduate-barbara-carlson
1976-4-year-old-kar-tells-4-year-old-jeremy-mathews-in-the-some-of-a-multi-colored-dragonfly-built-by-her-father
1976-4-year-old-kar-tells-4-year-old-jeremy-mathews-in-the-some-of-a-multi-colored-dragonfly-built-by-her-father
1973-syl-apps-17th-century-costume-in-honor-of-kingstons-300th-birthday
1973-syl-apps-17th-century-costume-in-honor-of-kingstons-300th-birthday
1967-tammy-fisher-6-dressed-in-indian-costume-looks-as-if-hes-going-to-take-a-bite-out-of-the-nose-of-peter-perkins-5-who-is-dressed-as-christopher-columbus
1967-tammy-fisher-6-dressed-in-indian-costume-looks-as-if-hes-going-to-take-a-bite-out-of-the-nose-of-peter-perkins-5-who-is-dressed-as-christopher-columbus
1960-70-malabar-costume-shop
1960-70-malabar-costume-shop
1956-malabar-costume-shop-copy
1956-malabar-costume-shop-copy
1956-malabar-costume-shop-2
1956-malabar-costume-shop-2
1956-malabar-costume-shop
1956-malabar-costume-shop
1953-shopsys-halloween-display-maple-leaf-gardens
1953-shopsys-halloween-display-maple-leaf-gardens
1946-east-end-day-nursery-river-st-w-side-n-of-queen-st-e-looking-n-e
1946-east-end-day-nursery-river-st-w-side-n-of-queen-st-e-looking-n-e
1934 - oct 29 - T.T.C. head office party
1934 – oct 29 – T.T.C. head office party
1929 - oct 28 - Victoria Park Forest School, Halloween party, witch costume
1929 – oct 28 – Victoria Park Forest School, Halloween party, witch costume
1929 - oct 28 - Victoria Park Forest School, Halloween party, group of six
1929 – oct 28 – Victoria Park Forest School, Halloween party, group of six
1929 - oct 28 - Victoria Park Forest School, Halloween party, group of nine
1929 – oct 28 – Victoria Park Forest School, Halloween party, group of nine
1928 - Oct 28 - Victoria Park Forest School, Halloween party, Scotch costume
1928 – Oct 28 – Victoria Park Forest School, Halloween party, Scotch costume
1928 - nov 3 - Davisville School, costume group
1928 – nov 3 – Davisville School, costume group
1920 - Garden party, Casa Loma
1920 – Garden party, Casa Loma
1920 - 1930 - Costume garden party
1920 – 1930 – Costume garden party
1900-girl-in-costume
1900 – girl in costume

 

Find more historical images on the Toronto Archives and the Toronto Public Library Archives.

 

 

 

About Joel Levy 2620 Articles
Editor-In-Chief at Toronto Guardian. Photographer and Writer for Toronto Guardian and Joel Levy Photography