By Liz Worthy & Jon Stich
Awesomely, Halloween is on a Friday this year, so you can strut your handiwork everywhere, from your morning commute to a late-night house party. Sure, the classic naughty nurse or store-bought-banana costume will get you in the door, but the best getups are those DIY ones that play off the here and now. Check out these San Francisco–themed costume ideas, which can be pulled together from stuff you probably already own.
Lyft Witch
A twist on a classic!
Instructions:
Cut a furry pink moustache from an old Burning Man outfit (or buy those little sticker ones) and staple it to your kitchen broom. Put on a black dress — maybe something on the longer side for straddling comfort. Roust out last year’s witch hat, or borrow one from a friend. When the witching hour strikes, don’t forget to put on your “Prime Time” satin sash. If you have extra energy, add a smartphone mount for easy GPS navigating.
Essentials:
Broom | Pink moustache | Witch hat | Black dress
Super Burrito
It’s a bird; it’s a plane; it’s La Taqueria Super Burrito! Or maybe you’re the burrito eater who thinks El Farolito should have won the burrito bracket.
Instructions:
Show your pride by becoming the burrito superhero for your favorite taqueria. Wrap yourself in aluminum foil. Make a construction-paper insignia for your favorite taqueria, and tape it to your foil-clad chest. Case the apartment for something cape-like. A blanket will work, but don’t rule out curtains, silk sheets, or festive tablecloths. Accessorize the cape with tights and knee-high boots. If you have some cute underwear you’ve been dying to show off, tonight is the night to wear them on the outside.
Essentials:
Aluminum foil | Blanket | Construction paper | Bag of rice (if you’re in that camp)
Dolores Park
Oh, the horror of having half of the Mission’s favorite park under construction. Mourn the ongoing chaos while celebrating the grassy green areas with this two-toned costume.
Instructions:
Pair a bright-green shirt with khaki pants or brown leggings. Hot-glue a set of construction-vehicle toys to your lower half. Affix plastic palm trees, action figures, and Barbie dolls to your torso. Extra points for dressing your dolls as local fixtures, such as Truffle Guy, “Cold Beer, Cold Water” Guy, Hula-Hoopers, Speedo-clad sunbathers, and slackline walkers. Fashion a construction cone out of last year’s witch hat by covering it in orange construction paper. Got wee ones in tow? Dress them as parklets.
Essentials:
Brown and green clothes | Witch hat and orange construction paper | Barbie dolls or action figures and matchbox construction vehicles
Navy Shower
Make a fun water-conservation statement as we experience California’s worst drought on record. A navy shower, whereby the water is turned off while you lather up, was developed on seafaring ships, where fresh water was scarce. True, water conservation is already super-sexy, but a uniform will make your costume even sexier.
Instructions:
Attach a shower curtain to a Hula Hoop with shower hooks. Grab a broom and pasta server or other hole-filled kitchen implement and duct tape them together at a right angle with duct tape. Attach some tassels, blue yarn, or beads to the “shower head” for some watery bling. Put on a navy hat, and arm yourself with accessories like your favorite towel, soap, or a rubber ducky.
Essentials:
Shower curtain | Hula Hoop and shower hooks | Broom, pasta scoop and duct tape | Navy hat
Sexy Kale
Ideal for those vegan, gluten-free, and organic situations this Halloween. Plus, very trendy.
Instructions:
If you have extra time, take a tip from Lady Gaga’s meat dress, and create a tasteful yet sexy outfit out of real kale. Otherwise, dye the tutu you wore at Bay to Breakers a lovely green, and wear it with your feather boa from the Saint Patty’s Day parade. Wedge a tiny bit of kale between your two front teeth for the perfect conversation starter. Bonus: dress up your favorite infant or four-legged friend as your “baby kale” sidekick.
Essentials:
Bay to Breakers tutu and dye | Green feather boa
Angel Investor
Be a little slice of start-up heaven. Your pals will love it when you fund their pet-sharing service, werewolf dating site, and recipe for Sexy Kale potato salad.
Instructions:
Attach a pair of feathery angel wings to the back of a suit jacket. Raid a Monopoly game for $500 bills. Fashion a halo from some rolled-up aluminum foil and make it hover above your head with your retro sweatband paired with a few pipe cleaners.
Essentials:
Wings from last year’s OkCupid costume | Monopoly money | Aluminum foil or other makeshift halo
If It’s Yellow, Let It Mellow
The easiest way to help the drought is also a super-easy costume!
Instructions:
Dust off that yellow spandex body suit (or any yellow clothes you have). Accessorize with yellow eye shadow, sunglasses, and bunches of toilet paper stapled to your clothes. Keep it mellow by bringing along some medicinals to share.
Essentials:
Yellow clothing | Toilet paper | Pot and rolling papers | Medical-marijuana card
