10 New Orleans-inspired Halloween costume ideas
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
It's Halloween in New Orleans and we're all here to serve. Looks, that is. Photo: Sandy Huffaker/AFP via Getty Images
Halloween is nearly here, but if you're feeling uninspired, then we've got your back.
Why it matters: New Orleans always serves up excellent costume content.
Zoom in: All of these ideas were ripped straight from local headlines, and we put them together with the idea that you should be able to make them happen with things you have on hand or can easily find in local stores.
Here are 10 costume ideas inspired by New Orleans in 2024:
1. Lana Del Rey and her new alligator tour guide husband.
- Why it works: The singer married Jeremy Dufrene in a private ceremony in Des Allemands last month.
- The look: White dress and veil, Southern Marsh T-shirt (or similar), cargo shorts and a ball cap. Make it a family affair and have your kid dress as an alligator.
/2024/10/24/1729785733411.gif)
2. A high rat.
- Why it works: NOPD chief Anne Kirkpatrick made national headlines when she complained to City Council that rats were in the department's evidence room eating confiscated drugs.
- The look: Mouse ears, nose and tail, tie-dye T-shirt and a (fake) cigarette or pipe.
3. A Mylar balloon.
- Why it works: Mylar balloons have wreaked havoc on local power lines, prompting power outages and New Orleans is moving to ban them altogether. (Thanks to NOLA Prepared for the idea.)
- The look: Buy a balloon at a local shop. Just don't let it float away from you.
4. A naked chef.
- Why it works: Chefs stripped down for a popular new calendar by photographer Kat Kimball. This would work great as a group costume.
- The look: Small undergarments (or a nude bodysuit), a chef's hat, apron and a spatula.
5. Scrim and dog-catchers.
- Why it works: New Orleans' most popular runaway, Scrim, was finally caught this week after months of attempts, and multiple tranquilizer darts.
- The look: Dog ears, scruffy hair, a collar and leash for one person, and large nets for any others.
/2024/10/24/1729785636193.gif)
6. Richard Simmons.
- Why it works: The New Orleans native died earlier this year, and we're still mourning the loss.
- The look: 1990s-style workout gear, like a leotard or sleeveless tank, and biker shorts. Don't forget the curly wig.
7. Livvy Dunne.
- Why it works: The LSU gymnast is reportedly the most well-compensated college athlete thanks to her NIL deals, and she's back for a final year to help LSU Gymnastics go for a back-to-back national championship.
- The look: Lots of purple and gold spandex, a ponytail and a selfie stick.
8. Anya Taylor-Joy.
- Why it works: The actress married Malcolm McRae in a creepy New Orleans ceremony last spring, which is perfect to revisit for Halloween.
- The look: Wear a white dress with a dramatically long veil while you and a suit-wearing partner chomp into blood-gushing and anatomically correct hearts.
9. Mr. Six from Six Flags.
- Why it works: We're still waiting to see the long-promised next steps in the redevelopment of Six Flags.
- The look: A red bow-tie, black suit, bald cap and oversized glasses. Carry around an inflatable hammer if you want to finally start demolition.
10. A Chantilly cake.
- Why it works: Whole Foods said it was reworking the recipe for its insanely popular New Orleans-born cake, but then went back to the original after a public outcry.
- The look: Anything fluffy and white, with a berry-bedecked headpiece.