5 Very Dallas Halloween Costume Ideas

Halloween is nearly here, and if you’re like us, you’ve probably been too inundated with literally everything else going on to even entertain the idea of subjecting yourself to a stop by Spirit Halloween. Might we suggest one of Dallas’ much better local costume stores?

It doesn’t help that this month’s climate has only just now realized that it’s supposed to act like we’re well into fall, but that’s North Texas weather for you.

If you’re celebrating with the masses this weekend, you’re going to need to act quickly. If you’re a purist who plans to celebrate on the actual night of Halloween (it’s a Friday this year!), you’ve got a little more time, but you’re cutting it close. Either way, if you’re reading this, you clearly wait until the last minute, which is why we think you’ll appreciate the list below. And now that we’ve established that you’re a procrastinator, we’d be remiss not to clue you in on parties and events happening, too.

Here are our suggestions for quick and relatively low-lift costumes inspired by moments that captured the Dallas zeitgeist this year. Because, to paraphrase Mark Twain, sometimes reality is truly scarier than fiction.

Ken and Angela Paxton

What would a costume idea list be without a couple’s option? Or, former couple’s costume, as the case may be. These two Collin County pests are scary enough on their own, but when they come together to maximize their joint messiness, we all lose. So, being that they announced their separation earlier this year, this might be the last time this one makes sense. If you need to make it a group costume, grab 16 of your friends to be Ken’s (acquitted) articles of impeachment. What you’ll need: a couple of frumpy suits, the bible and a divorce decree — if you don’t own a Bible (we aren’t sure that Ken does, either), store-bought is fine.

Rainbow Crosswalk

Depending on who you ask (namely, Gov. Greg Abbott), paint on asphalt is downright blood-curdling. No, really, he can’t bear the idea of rainbow crosswalks like those in Oak Lawn. Unfortunately for us, while there are pre-made costumes for nearly everything now, crosswalks are harder to come by. So, you might have to get creative here with sheets of craft foam paper or felt glued to poster board. If you’re lazy, you can just paint this “I’m a crosswalk” shirt from Amazon with rainbow colors. If you plan on sauntering through Oak Lawn’s massive annual Block Party, this one will almost certainly be a hit. 

The Ghost of Luka Past

Need a costume that the begrudging straight man in your life will actually agree to? He probably has most of it in his closet already. Luka Doncic’s time in Dallas is over for now (yes, we’re delusional), but his absence still haunts the city. Now, he lives on in our hearts. And costumes. All that’s needed here is a Mavericks uniform with no. 77 on it, a basketball and some white paint. If you’re the committed type, grab a pair of his Luka 4 Jordans. If you want to be a walking nightmare, be Luka as a Laker.

A Banned Book

As Texas’ bizarre war on books continues, known literature horrors such as The Perks of Being a Wallflower and #Pride: Championing LGBTQ Rights rest in library graveyards of a number of schools in North Texas. Seriously, you have so many ridiculous titles to choose from. You can easily make this one yourself with a couple of poster boards, shoulder straps to attach them, and paint to illustrate your favorite book cover. Throw a giant red “BANNED’ stamp on top to really spook people who quiver at the thought of *checks notes* books by Judy Blume. 

Anyone from King of the Hill

Our favorite fictional — though captured so realistically that they might as well be based on your uncles and co-workers — fellow North Texans are back for the first time in 15 years. The easy approach would mean being Hank Hill (non-existent asses only), but dressing up as Bobby Hill working as a chef at the fictional Japanese-German Robata Chane restaurant in Dallas would be more fun. All you need are a sushi chef’s coat, blonde buzz cut, drawn-out accent and maybe a purse for old time’s sake.