Halloween is quickly approaching. What are you and the family going to wear? Well, we have some hyperlocal Halloween costume ideas for you. There are links where you can buy or make the costume (or get you close enough to modify it), and all selections are less than $100.
Here are our top 20 Oregon costume ideas.
1. Sasquatch
This big beast can go by many names…Sasquatch, Bigfoot, or whatever you want to call it. Bigfoot is rumored to live in the woods here in Oregon. How about dressing up to pay homage to one of our most famous residents?
2. Bridge
Portland is known as the City of Bridges. We have 12 bridges that span the Willamette. We couldn’t find any bridge costumes for sale, BUT if you look, there are plenty of DIY examples. In addition, we have provided some resources for Portland-specific bridges. Check Portland Bridge Inspo.
3. Rose
Portland is also known as the City of Roses. Want to see why we are the City of Roses? Check out this awesome article in 1859’s Oregon’s Magazine to find out why. And why not be one of our beautiful roses for Halloween?
4. Oregon Flag
There is actually not a DIY version or a store-bought one for this idea. HOWEVER, check out the Pinterest Board with some other flag costumes that you could adapt. Grab some blue fabric, yellow felt, and a glue gun, and you have an Oregon flag costume. Here is some Oregon flag Inspo.
5. Salmon
Chinook salmon is Oregon’s state fish. And while we couldn’t find a specific salmon costume. We could find fish costumes, and you can modify them to make your state fish dreams come true.
6. Tree
Oregon’s state tree is the Douglas Fir. These are two tree costume options that you can adapt from deciduous trees into an evergreen.
7. Western Meadowlark
Oregon’s bird is the Western Meadowlark. It may be hard to believe, but we couldn’t find any specific Western Meadowlark costumes. We did find a crow and a generic bird you can create. Here is some Western Meadowlark Inspo.
8. Oregon Swallowtail Butterfly
The state butterfly is the Oregon Swallowtail. Yes, we do have a state butterfly! To adapt your homemade or store-bought butterfly costume, here is some Oregon Swallowtail Inspo.
9. Beaver
Oregon state’s mammal is the beaver! Oh, those industrious little ones are a great costume for a dam good time. Pun intended.
10. Duck
Unfortunately, ducks are not a state anything for Oregon, but in this neck of the woods, you cannot give props to the beavers without including the ducks. Here are some adorable duck ideas.
11. Mushroom
We do have a state mushroom. These costumes don’t really look like Pacific Golden Chanterelle, but once again, you can adapt if you want to be accurate. Here is Pacific Gold Chanterelle Inspo.
12. Crustacean Dungeness Crab
This is definitely becoming a history lesson in Oregon’s living insignia (and inanimate insignia), but we also have a state crustacean. Ours is the Dungeness crab. Feeling crabby? Here are some ideas to get started.
13. Pear
Oregon’s state food is the pear. Pears are the top-selling tree fruit crop in Oregon. Read more about their state designation here. Get a couple of costumes together for a pair of pears.
14. Milk
Along the same line as Oregon’s state food, Oregon’s state beverage is milk! We just celebrated 25 years as milk as our state beverage. The Oregon Dairy and Nutrition Council have the backstory here. Rep Oregon dairy and go as a carton of milk.
15. Thunderegg
A thunderegg is our state rock. As you can imagine, we are just going for a rock costume on this one. And it is hard just to find rocks, so just roll with us the rock, paper, scissor costume idea. Want more information about thundereggs? Go here to learn what they are and where you can find them.
16. Lumberjack
Oregon has a long history with the timber industry. What goes hand and hand with timber? Lumberjacks. You probably already have the plaid shirt, jeans, and boots. It is an easy and fun costume.
17. Rain
And what is more Oregonian than rain? Nothing! We love a good grey and cloudy day with some rainfall. So embrace the weather and go as a cute little rain cloud and do our state proud.
18. Slug
What is also pretty Oregonian? Slugs! This DIY really is an adorable snail, but you could exclude the shell and have an adorable slug instead. Or buy the slug mask and call it good.
19. Elk/Deer
Dear gentle reader, we know there is a difference between elk and deer. Oregon has an abundance of both and honestly these costumes aren’t really that nuanced. You can make or buy an elk or deer costume and look as adorable as our friends in the forest.
20. Portland Trail Blazers’ Blaze The Cat
Got team spirit? Yes, you do! We do too! Blaze The Cat is our beloved Trail Blazers’ mascot. Why not make or buy one of these cat costumes and then throw on your favorite Blazer wear? Not sure about Blaze’s look? Check out Blaze the Cat Inspo.
We hope this list has inspired you to go full Oregon in your costumes this year. This amazing state has many great things that would make awesome costumes with a bit of imagination (and perhaps adaptation). What is your favorite? Got any ideas that we forgot?
Johanna is married with two kids, three dogs, three cats, one leopard gecko, several chickens, and a few fish. She has been in the Pacific Northwest since the dream was alive in the 90s but has Southern roots and hails from Arkansas. The family spends a lot of time at some sort of sporting event for the kids. Johanna likes to fast craft, garden, host parties, and bake. Johanna and her crew go hard traveling, DIY-ing, and are always up for a new adventure or challenge.