Halloween is fast-approaching and partygoers are considering what costumes to choose.
We see the same things every year, from cats to ghosts and all that lies between – so how about something more unique?
We thought it would be fun to suggest five York-inspired costumes for the holiday to impress your fellow residents.
1. Ghost Viking
Now for a YorkMix original – a costume you’d likely never have thought of.
When making this list, I tried to consider themes and elements that are unique to York’s rich history, and realised that both Vikings and ghosts are rather obvious choices.
Each of these ideas have already been done time and time again for Halloween over the years – but has anyone ever tried to combine them?
If you were to take a cheap party store Viking costume, add a few cobwebs, dangle some white fabric from your arms and apply some ghoulish face makeup, you’d have a rather spooky figure staring back at you in the mirror.
2. Long Boi
Just last month, the University of York unveiled their memorial for Long Boi, the abnormally tall duck that resided on campus.
It was a bittersweet ceremony led by radio host Greg James, with an outpouring of love from students and even some tributes from big names like Andrew Garfield and Jodie Whittaker.
We feel the iconic duck could work as a costume. No, hear us out.
Take a normal duck party costume and use a cardboard tube to raise the neck – and you have an immensely effective outfit for your Halloween party.
Combine with a green shirt and brown trousers and add a paper mâché beak for good measure.
It would certainly make for a beautifully moving tribute.
3. Dick Turpin
How about dressing as two-time horse thief and highwayman Dick Turpin?
Turpin is another York legend who died on Knavesmire in 1739 after a high-stakes life full of crime and adventure.
His attire isn’t all that hard to replicate, but I have a prop suggestion that could make this costume truly special.
A red medieval vest, black eye mask and long white trousers would make for a fantastic evocation of the iconic criminal.
But to really make this costume stand out, I’d suggest a toy hobby horse stick to bring along to your event – it’s not too expensive, doesn’t weigh much and is sure to have your fellow Yorkies bellowing with laugher.
4. Guy Fawkes
The infamous Guy Fawkes is known for his attempts to destroy parliament and assassinate James I.
He’s also the reason we have bonfire night, of course.
Fawkes was originally from York, and is one of the city’s best-known historical figures.
A costume here would be quite straightforward – a long coat, white shirt and captain hat would pull off the look rather nicely.
You could even purchase an anonymous mask to opt for a more modern take on his look from the 1982 graphic novel V for Vendetta.
5. Train conductor
York is home to the National Railway Museum, a very popular tourist attraction as well as a great place to take a dive into the city’s rich history of trains and travel.
Therefore, why not dress as a train conductor?
It’s admittedly one of the least York-connected concepts on this list but it’s still possible to get creative and make it your own.
How about styling it out as one of the LNER conductors? You could even make a cardboard sign reading “Next stop: York” to reinforce the local connection.
We hope you have a fantastic Halloween, and have no doubt your costumes this year are going to be outstanding.