THEN AND NOW: How 10 classic Halloween costumes have changed over time

Halloween costumes are very different today than they once were. Mario Tama/ Getty Images

• Classic Halloween costumes have evolved dramatically over the last century.
• Costumes like nurses, witches, and ghosts have gotten sexier over time, allowing people to wear less clothing on Halloween night.
• Other costumes like clowns and face masks have gotten creepier thanks to the advancement in technology and art.

Dressing up on Halloween night wasn't always just a creative way to celebrate All Hallows' Eve. In fact, costumes used to be functional. Halloween masks, gowns, and capes can be traced back two centuries to when the Celtics first dressed in costumes and masks to ward off malevolent spirits.

Not only has the reason for costumes changed but the costumes themselves have changed as well. Over the past century, Halloween costumes have transformed from family-friendly, modest, and homemade creations to store-bought, creepy, and often "sexy" attire.

Here's how some classic Halloween costumes changed.