Food lovers have many options for food- and drink-related Halloween costumes, from the stupid (hello, phallic mushroom) to the sublime (dressing as an undead Cookie Monster, for instance). The choices can be a bit overwhelming, especially if you've waited this long to figure things out. Why not narrow the focus and go for something that's local to Florida? Considering how hip it is to be a locavore, your costume will not only be clever but tres chic.
Stuck for a costume idea? Here are eight Halloween costumes inspired by Florida food and drink:
1. Holy MackerelA wonderfully puntastic costume that also gives an affectionate nod to Florida's own Holy Mackerel craft beer, a microbrew founded by a Fort Lauderdale native. Dress as a fish -- you can don a full body costume or some version of headgear that does the trick -- and top it off with a Bible and cross necklace.
2. Rocco Mangel
The ubiquitous restaurateur -- of Rocco's Tacos and Tequila Bar fame -- makes for a very easy costume to wear to the party being thrown by your self-professed "foodie" friend. All you need is a bald cap, a flamboyant buttoned-down shirt, and a bottle of tequila and you're ready to rock. Bonus points if you jump onto your host's kitchen island and start dancing wildly as you pour tequila shots into other guests' mouths and/or the floor.
3. Orange
The whole "Florida citrus" thing is a little obvious, so the important thing here is to find a humorous or unexpected angle. Try donning a head-to-toe body suit, not unlike Charlie from It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, but instead of green, choose -- you guessed it -- a blinding shade of orange. A little creepy and probably very sweaty, but entirely hilarious.
4. Jai Alai IPA
Another brew-sy suggestion, this costume is inspired by Cigar City's hoppy ale and the Sunshine State's storied history of jai alai. Wear a helmet, white pants (available at any thrift store), and a plain numbered jersey, and carry a cesta. Considering that the historic Dania Beach jai-alai fronton will soon undergo significant renovations, the costume is timely too!
5. The vixen from Thunderhead Red
Florida-based brewer the Native Brewing Co.'s mascot for Thunderhead Red Ale is a great choice for voluptuous ladies who want to look hot as hell but can't stomach another year of "sexy" what-have-you costumes from Halloween City. The label's buxom mistress requires only a red wig, red micro-mini, a tiny white top, and a killer body. Get two girlfriends to help you form an elite squad of redheads, with one dressed as Jessica Rabbit and the other as Joan Holloway -- guaranteed you won't have to pay for a single drink all night.
6. Spiny lobster
You can approach this one of two ways; first, you can take a store-bought lobster costume and modify it with materials from a craft store (paint, beads, etc.) to get that "spiny lobster look." Or, you can dress in scuba or snorkel gear and go as a hunter of said spiny lobster.
7. Zombie Burger King
The Florida-based fast-food chain wisely offed its ghoulish King mascot earlier this year, rendering your King Halloween costume utterly dated, unless you spin it as a reanimation of the deceased fast-food spokesman. Surely, this will be more tasteful than any other "dead celebrity" costume you could cook up. (Seriously, how many Amy Winehouse bouffants do you think you're going to see this weekend?)
8. Monk in the Trunk
This one is supereasy; head to a generic Halloween store, buy a monk's robe, and simply affix an Inlet Brewing Co. sign to your costume. Voilà! An easy way to show some love for the Florida beer scene.
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