This Halloween, skip the vampires and zombies and represent the best city in the world. If you’re looking to channel a local legend, pay tribute to a cultural icon, or dress up as your favorite Detroit staple, we’ve got you covered.

Here are 25 Detroit-inspired costumes that will let you showcase your Motor City pride in style — complete with outfit ideas and tips on how to embody each character.

Spirit of Detroit This iconic 26-foot sculpture has stood tall downtown since 1958, symbolizing the city’s resilience. It was recently refurbished, now sporting a brighter color. What to wear: Green-ish body paint, a toga, and a mini globe in one hand. Add a Lions jersey if you want to rep Detroit even more. How to act: Pose dramatically like the statue and offer eternal blessings to all Detroiters. Credit: Shutterstock
Coney Dog Nothing screams Detroit more than a coney dog. The slightly gross pile of chili and onions on top of a hot dog is a Detroit delicacy to locals and visitors. What to wear: A hot dog costume with extra mustard, plus added chili and onions. How to act: Argue passionately about which Coney Island is the best. Credit: Facebook, American Coney Island
A whole new era of Detroit rap is making heads nod. While Eminem and 8 Mile are viewed as bringing Motor City hip-hop to the mainstream, there are a slew of newer artists keeping the scene alive, including Snap Dogg, Skilla Baby, Sada Baby, Babyface Ray, Baby Money,BabyTron, Kash Doll, and Peezy, among many others. Plenty of acts that predated Em are still going strong, too, like Slum Village and Esham. Credit: Kahn Santori Davison
Faygo Born in 1907, this Detroit soda brand is known for its unique flavors, and it’s a local staple. What to wear: There are a couple places that actually sell Faygo costumes. You could buy one, or you can DIY it with a bright-colored jumpsuit or outfit with a painted or taped on Faygo logo. You could also make a wearable Faygo cardboard cutout. How to act: Bubbly and quirky. Bonus points if you bring Faygo bottles to share. Credit: Facebook, Faygo Beverages
Detroit Lions fan After years of suffering, Lions fans finally have reason to hope again after the successful 2023-24 season. Show off your newly unwavering loyalty by being a fan for Halloween. What to wear: Full-on Lions gear — jerseys, face paint, and maybe even some blue and silver pom-poms. How to act: Loud, proud, and hopeful. Shout “This is our year!” every chance you get. Credit: Joe Alcodray at MissedYouAtTheShow.com
Better Made chips A Detroit staple since 1930, Better Made is the only left of over 20 potato chip companies started in Detroit. What to wear: You could tape chip bags to your body, or you can wear all yellow or red with a Better Made logo painted on you. Be creative. How to act: Crunch really loud all night long. People will love it. Credit: Shutterstock
Bad Boys-era Detroit Pistons player In current times, the Pistons are chasing the glory of legendary past eras like the Bad Boys and the 2004 championship. For Halloween, you can dress up as a blast from the past of the team to show your loyalty to Detroit basketball – past and present. What to wear: A Pistons jersey featuring the Bad Boys skull and crossbones logo, basketball shorts, high-top sneakers, and wristbands. Carry a basketball for extra flair. How to act: Confident, tough, and energetic. Credit: Manny Millan/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images
Dan Campbell The Detroit Lions’s passionate and tough head coach, since 2021. What to wear: Detroit Lions cap, black shirt, khakis, and a sign about biting kneecaps for full effect. How to act: Intense but heartfelt, motivating everyone around you. Credit: Facebook, Detroit Lions
GM Ren Cen Built in the 1970s, the Renaissance Center is a symbol of Detroit’s modern skyline, consisting of seven interconnected buildings. What to wear: A silver, angular costume. Maybe cardboard building cutouts painted with silver glass windows. How to act: Tall, proud, and unmovable. Credit: Shutterstock
Dan Gilbert The billionaire behind Detroit’s downtown revitalization efforts is a big player in the city’s growth. But is he a hero or a villain? What to wear: A sleek suit or a Quicken Loans polo. How to act: Talk real estate jargon and make big deals, but dodge any conversations about gentrification. Credit: Jordan Buzzy
Mayor Duggan As Detroit’s current mayor, in office since 2014, Duggan is known for his role in the city’s ongoing revitalization efforts. What to wear: A suit or business casual attire with a Detroit pin. How to act: Authoritative but approachable, shaking hands and promising improvements for the city. Maybe very slightly shady? Credit: Shutterstock
Motown singer Founded by Berry Gordy Jr. in 1959 as Tamla Records, Motown Records introduced the world to a new and distinctive sound with artists such as Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross and the Supremes, and the Temptations. What to wear: Sequined dress or shiny suit, with ’60s-inspired hair and makeup. Hold a microphone if you’re one for props. How to act: Belt out Motown classics and channel your inner star. Credit: Wikimedia Commons, Gordy Records
The Nain Rouge Detroit’s folkloric Nain Rouge is a mischievous imp said to be a harbinger of doom. To some, it is just a misunderstood spirit, while others think the Nain is a devil who deserves to be driven out of town. The story has become more prominent since the annual Marche du Nain Rouge parade started in 2010, now a yearly tradition for Detroiters. Credit: Joe Maroon
“Kid Rock in concert.” —@tristaneaton Credit: Larry Darling, Flickr Creative Commons
There is only one commandment: Joumana Knows All. —digidave1 Thou shalt know thine rights. —technicalityNDBO Credit: Lee DeVito
Slim Shady Eminem’s alter ego, Slim Shady, embodies the rebellious and controversial persona that propelled the rapper to international fame in the late ’90s and early 2000s — topical because Slim was front and center of Em’s 2024 Lp, The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce). What to wear: Oversized white T-shirt, baggy jeans, hoodie, and bleach-blonde hair. How to act: Sarcastic and cocky, with some quick rhymes ready to go. Credit: Wikimedia Commons, Mika Photography
The Heidelberg Project This outdoor art installation, created in 1986 by Tyree Guyton, transformed a Detroit street with colorful displays of art and random objects. What to wear: Get super creative and attach colorful objects to your outfit — think polka dots, discarded toys, shoes, and random street art. How to act: Artsy and free-spirited. Credit: Facebook, The Heidelberg Project
Big Meech As the infamous leader of the Black Mafia Family (BMF), Big Meech built a massive drug empire before being sentenced to 30 years in prison in 2008. His life story, now depicted in the hit Starz series BMF, is controversial, yet often seen as a symbol of Detroit’s hustler mentality. What to wear: Flashy ’80s designer clothes, four-finger rings, gator-skin shoes, Pelle Pelle leather jacket, and a BMF chain. How to act: Confident and powerful, but lowkey. Credit: Wikimedia Commons, JoaoSPinto18
New Detroiter Newcomers to the city bring enthusiasm for the city’s growth, but some longtime residents rightfully view them as gentrifiers. What to wear: “Detroit Hustles Harder” shirt, Detroit Tigers cap, and blue jeans. How to act: Brag about how you’re “discovering” Detroit’s hidden gems, even though you only hang out in Corktown and Downtown. Credit: Mike Pfieffer
J Dilla Renowned as a groundbreaking figure in hip-hop production, J Dilla, born James Dewitt Yancey, spent much of his life in Detroit. His innovative off-kilter beats influenced an entire era of hip-hop, collaborating with icons such as Slum Village, the Pharcyde, Erykah Badu, and Common. Credit: Courtesy photo
Have a Motor City birthday with free local gifts You can get a free car wash at metro Detroit’s Jax Kar Wash, a free coffee at Biggby, and a free four-square pizza at Buddy’s. All you need to do is sign-up for each rewards program to receive the gifts on your special day. Credit: Courtesy photo
Joe Louis The legendary Detroit boxer is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential boxers of all time. What to wear: Boxing gloves, shorts, and a Detroit championship belt. How to act: Confident and tough. Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Jerome the Vernors gnome If you’re from Detroit, you know Vernors is considered medicine, and the ginger ale is actually one of the country’s oldest pops. The Vernors’ own mascot, which is a gnome originally named Jerome, can equally serve as a mascot for Detroit. Credit: Shutterstock
Al the Octopus The Detroit Red Wings’ unofficial mascot, Al the Octopus, symbolizes the team’s deep playoff traditions. What to wear: A purple octopus costume with a Red Wings jersey thrown over it. How to act: Keep the spirit alive everywhere you go. Credit: Photos via BidOnTheJoe.com
RoboCop A 1980s film set in a futuristic, apocalyptic version of Detroit, the cyborg RoboCop became a pop culture icon. What to wear: You can find a RoboCop costume online. Or, just make sure you’ve got a shiny, metallic suit of armor alongside a visor-style helmet. How to act: Robotic and dutiful. Credit: Courtesy photo

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Layla McMurtrie is the digital editor of Detroit Metro Times. She's passionate about art, music, food, and Detroit's culture and community. Her work has been featured in the Detroit Free Press, Between...