The half fish lady from Kimi’s logo. Photo by Sarah Rayner

“I hate gay Halloween. What do you mean you’re the half fish lady from Kimi’s logo?”

As many internet dwellers well know, it’s en vogue now more than ever to go ultra niche with your Halloween costume (see aforementioned “I hate gay Halloween” memes here). But if you really want to win the trend, you might want to consider a hyper local angle to create the ultimate IYKYK. Whether you want to go classic, cutesy, creepy or cheeky, this list should have you covered.

Individual Costumes

The Big Blue Bug

For reference: rimonthly.com/a-big-blue-bugs-life

What you’ll need to pull it off: Antenna headband, wings from Amazon, blue and yellow body paint. Add a name tag with “Nibbles Woodaway” to prove you know ball.

The Independent Man

For reference: rimonthly.com/independent-man

What you’ll need to pull it off: Bed sheet for the toga, gold body paint, a prop spear and anchor.

Chip, the Rhode Island FC mascot

For reference: rhodeislandfc.com/chip

What you’ll need to pull it off: A seal onesie (or cute seal-inspired face makeup), an RIFC jersey and a soccer ball.

A Newport Socialite ala “The Gilded Age”

For reference: rimonthly.com/real-gilded-age-newport

What you’ll need to pull it off: A 19th regency ball gown complete with corset, bustle and bell-shaped skirt, plus an elaborate hat or intricate updo.

Alternatively: A Newport Polo attendee — fancy dress and hat still required.

Buddy Cianci

For reference: rimonthly.com/what-to-do-about-buddy/

What you’ll need to pull it off: A 90’s power suit and tie, bald cap and toupee, and a “Buddy Cianci for Mayor” badge and/or a crown paired with a homemade “Prince of Providence” sash. (PLEASE leave the bats at home, though).

Scrotie, RISD’s unofficial mascot 

For reference: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scrotie

What you’ll need to pull it off: You know what, I’m gonna let you figure this one out on your own. I believe in you.

A Mr. Potato Head statue

For reference: ripotatoheads.com/

What you’ll need to pull it off: Depends which one you’re going for! If it’s the OG, start with a loose brown onesie, or maybe a DIY paper mache torso, oversized blue shoes, white gloves, a black beanie, a black bushy mustache and a red button nose. You could also turn it into a group costume and get each of your friends to pick a different variation of the statues (there were once forty-eight of them!).

The Ghost of Benny’s

For reference: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benny%27s 

What you’ll need to pull it off: I’d go simple here: white sheet with holes cut for the eyes and mouth, and a “Hello my name is Benny” name tag. Maybe throw in a classic Benny’s purchase, like a tire or a bicycle, as a prop.

Mercy Brown

For reference: newengland.com/yankee/history/vampire-mercy-brown-rhode-island/

What you’ll need to pull it off: Black conservative dress with a white lace collar, brunette bowl-cut wig and vampire fangs.

The newly restored La Pigna on Federal Hill

For reference: rimonthly.com/la-pigna-restored-to-its-original-beauty-on-providences-federal-hill

What you’ll need to pull it off: Shiny gold body paint and some paper mache to construct the pinecone shape. Attach a $$ price tag for a cheeky twist.

Lil’ Rhody

For reference: It’s one of the state’s many nicknames.

What you’ll need to pull it off: A white tank top, thick gold chain, baggy pants and a microphone. Lean into the bit by rhyming ‘cah’ with ‘bah’ the whole night.

David Morales, the Democratic nominee for Providence Mayor 

For reference: davidmoralespvd.com

What you’ll need to pull it off: A blue suit, maroon tie, nice shoes, glasses and a mustache. Perhaps throw on a wrestling singlet underneath the suit.

A Slam Pig 

For reference: instagram.com/reels/DYfGiTNmt7l

What you’ll need to pull it off: I’m picturing a Miss Piggy meets WWE wrestler mashup, but use your best judgement.

Couple’s Costumes

Edgar Allen Poe and Sarah Helen Whitman

For reference: rimonthly.com/haunted-places-rhode-island

What you’ll need: For Edgar: A black nineteenth century-reminiscent suit, a thick mustache, and a raven plushie for good measure. For Sarah: A white nineteenth century-reminiscent dress and a white shroud, plus some witchy elements like a Ouija board or black cat plushie.

A road and an an island

For reference: The joke that our state is neither a road nor an island.

What you’ll need to pull it off: I’m thinking literal for the road (long black felt or black bed sheet with strips of yellow tape down the middle) and symbolic for the island (straw skirt, lei necklace, Hawaiian button down shirt, etc).

A pothole and a traffic cone*

For reference: Just take a look down most streets in the state.

What you’ll need to pull it off: Person one: A pot (cookware or for a plant) to wear on your head and a black shirt with a large hole in it. Person two: An orange DIY or purchased traffic cone costume.

*Get a second wear out of the traffic cone costume by having your partner dress as a Scot during another Halloween outing. Bonus points if they can pick you up and place you on random surfaces throughout the night.

Peter and Lois Griffin from “Family Guy”*

For reference: familyguyfanon.fandom.com/wiki/Lois_and_Peter%27s_Relationship

Lois, Stewie and Quagmire. Photo by Jamie Coelho

What you’ll need to pull it off: For Peter: White button down, belt, green pants and round glasses. For Lois: orange bob wig, turquoise blouse, and slacks. Most importantly, the exaggerated Rhode Island accent.

*You can also take a leaf out of our editor-in-chief’s book and turn it into a family costume with baby Stewie (and an affair with Quagmire).

Coffee and Milk

For reference: foodandwine.com/what-is-coffee-milk-8746789

What you’ll need to pull it off: You could make them yourself, but honestly I’d probably grab a milk carton costume and coffee bean costume from the store to make life easier.

Alternatively: Clam cakes and chowder.

The East Side and West End of Providence

For reference: It’s our very own tale of two cities.

What you’ll need to pull it off: I tend to see them as a spectrum of artsy, with the East Side leaning more preppy and the West End leaning more grunge. Do with that what you will.

Alternatively: East Greenwich and West Greenwich or North Kingstown and South Kingstown.

Local influencer Buns and Bites, but make it literal

For reference: bunsandbites.com

What you’ll need to pull it off: A hamburger bun costume and a jaw/mouth costume.

Group Costumes

The Real Housewives of Rhode Island

# of participants: 6-8 (seeing as Liz has left the show and Dolores is only part time).

For reference: bravotv.com/the-real-housewives-of-rhode-island

What you’ll need to pull it off: Lots of wigs (or blowouts), sparkly dresses, the highest of heels, and fake tans, eyelashes, nails and so on. The closer you can get to outfits they actually wore on the show, the better.

“Secret Mall Apartment” residents

# of participants: 8

For reference: rimonthly.com/secret-mall-apartment-providence-place-mall

What you’ll need to pull it off: Artsy 90s garb, some cinder blocks, and a camcorder.

The Rhode Island Troll Trail 

# of participants: 6

For reference: rimonthly.com/troll-trail-rhode-island

What you’ll need to pull it off: Kudos if you can cover yourselves in wood chips, but also imaginative makeup will do. Just be sure to take a look at each troll to recreate their accessories — Mrs. Skipper needs her boat!

Kids walking through the Blizzard of ’78 to get to school 

# of participants: As many as you like.

For reference: quahog.org/index.php/FactsFolklore/Reminiscences/Blizzard_of_78

What you’ll need to pull it off: Vintage winter wear and backpacks. Don’t forget to frequently reference how much snow there is and how future generations will never understand.

Providence Bar Crawl

The Wild Colonial Man. Photo by Kait Murray

# of participants: As many as you like.

What you’ll need to pull it off: Depends on the bars! Also depends if you’re dressing like the bar’s name, logo, or vibe. Pick your favorite and get creative with your interpretation! Here are a few suggestions:

The Wild Colonial Tavern (burly man from the logo), wildcolonial.com

Kimi’s (fish lady from the logo), instagram.com/kimis_bar/?hl=en

Deadbeats (dad? horror-inspired? both?),  instagram.com/deadbeats_pvd/?hl=en

Captain Seaweed’s (pirate covered in seaweed), instagram.com/captain_seaweeds/?hl=en

The Royal Bobcat (a cat with a crown), instagram.com/theroyalbobcat/?hl=en

The half fish lady from Kimi’s logo. Photo by Candice Rhys

Wally’s Wieners (get your mind out of the gutter, but also a hot dog costume might not be accurate enough), instagram.com/wallysprovidence/?hl=en

The Stable (Brokeback mountain vibes), stablepvd.com

Shake & Speare (Shakespeare), instagram.com/shake.n.speare/?hl=en

Narragansett brewery (Tall Boy mascot), narragansettbeer.com