Portland does Halloween like it does most other things — on its own level. So why not dress the part?
Coming up with a creative costume that’ll win big bragging rights, especially when time is running out, can be tricky. So we thought of 14 Portland-inspired costumes that don’t require spending an arm and a leg. Just know that we expect pictures if you try one.
Perhaps a throwback to the Portland Beavers (circa 1916) is in order?
Photo by Wikimedia Commons
Portland MLB player
The City of Roses’ big league aspirations are back in the land of the living following a reported deal for a future stadium site. Celebrate the undead diamond dream by becoming a zombie or skeleton in baseball attire.
Is it burning garbage or sewage broccoli? The investigation is ongoing...
Photo by cottonbro studio
The Smell
As an amorphous cloud of noxious gas, everyone will ask, “what are you?” to which you can emphatically reply, “EXACTLY” because no one knows what stench has been terrorizing residents of North Portland. Bonus points if you can find a matching cologne.
You could even hand out stickers or treats when they cast their vote in your ballot box.
Photo via @multnomahcounty
Ballot box
Lean into election season dread by having everyone at the house party submit their favorite scary movie (or other topic of your choice) on little pieces of paper. At the end of the night, count up the results and reveal the winner. Talk about a good way to help your friends and family understand ranked-choice voting.
Give uninspired Halloween costumes the boot.
Photo by Jamin
A Dr. Martens boot
Hang on, don’t recycle those Amazon boxes in your garage just yet. Cut them into something resembling a boot beloved by punk rockers and emo youth, spray paint it black, and lace it up with some black rope from the hardware store. Don’t forget the yellow pull tab in the back.
Don’t want to make small talk at the Halloween party? Just channel your inner regal statue.
Photo via @caniciete
Portlandia
True to her (literal) form, the City of Roses’ patron “Copper Goddess” will lend you a helping hand by sharing her benevolent visage. Spray paint an old sheet with metallic copper paint and tie it toga-style over one shoulder. Craft a trident with an old broomstick and a wire coat hanger. Bonus points if you crouch heroically for photos.
Mimir’s plaque contains “a few lines of illegible chicken scratch as if it’s an alien artifact that landed in the middle of the city.”
Photo by Steve Hagan
Mimir
If you want all your friends to wonder “what’s that strange-looking rooster-alien wearing armor?” consider channeling your inner Mimir. Part “Norse mythology, gibberish, fish, and space creature,” the 8-ft obelisk (or portal to another dimension?) stands along Northwest 27th Avenue between Upshur and Thurman streets. Use cardboard for the pillar and tap into those old paper mache skills to make a helm.
Put a bird on it
It doesn’t get much easier than this, folks. Step one: Find a bird. Step two: Put it on. Optional step three: post about it on the site that’s now — inconveniently — known as X.
Timber Joey
Brum-brum-brum-brrrrrrrrrrr. No horror movie frights here — that’s the sound of the Portland Timbers’ lumberjack mascot sawing a log to celebrate a goal. You too can be as cool as Timber Joey after putting on a pair of cargo jeans, work boots, a team jersey, and a silver hard hat crafted from aluminum foil.
A Forest Park tree
From a stately pine to a colorful maple — or even a stump, because hey, Stumptown — this costume can be created with foraged items and allows so much room for creativity. Just be prepared for hugs wherever you go and watch out for Timber Joeys.
You won’t appear on national TV, but you’ll get a taste of local fame by dressing up as this legend.
Photo by Sarah Kidd
The Unipiper
Do you own a unicycle and bagpipes? We’re not saying you need to be able to play while balancing on one wheel, but that would be awesome and you may have a job as a fill-in mascot whenever Brian Kidd needs a vacation from keeping Portland weird.
These two have given us all an incredible gift: a lifetime’s supply of costume ideas.
Photo by Kent Derek
Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein
Fans of “Portlandia” (the show, not the statue) have 77 episodes to draw inspiration from in recreating the actors’ over-the-top Portland personas. This is perfect for couples, friends, or even large groups down to revive the “Dream of the 90s.” Here are 11 of our favorite moments.
Extra points if you bring a floatie.
Photo by @downtownpdx
Sasquatch
You know that ape suit your mom made you for your high school’s production of “Tarzan” that’s been sitting in your attic? Time to dust that sucker off and guzzle the Halloween punch, because it’s going to get sweaty in there. Remember — it’s all in the walk.
Bonus points for wearing a red Rudolph nose. If you know, you know.
Photo by Zac Vance
The White Stag sign
This one is perfect for party hosts. Nothing — not even your own family — is a more welcoming sight for travel-weary eyes than the sign that looms over the west end of the Burnside Bridge. Usher your guests into your abode with that same neon warmth.
You can cut out small paper birds and attach them with thin wire to make a bird-nado effect.
Photo by @tinyseedphotography
Chapman Elementary School chimney
Halloween takes place just a month after Switch Watch ends. Tug on every Portlander’s heartstrings by reminding them that the beloved avian spectacle has flown away, never to return (at least, not until next year).
