25 Detroit-inspired Halloween costume ideas

By Layla McMurtrie on Fri, Oct 4, 2024 at 2:05 pm

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.

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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.

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Facebook, American Coney Island

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.

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Kahn Santori Davison

New-era Detroit rapper

While Eminem remains one of the biggest rappers of all time, Detroit’s rap scene has evolved with a gritty, distinctive sound thanks to rising stars like Sada Baby, Babyface Ray, and Icewear Vezzo.

What to wear: Buffs, designer clothes, a grill, chains, a snapback, and an expensive watch.

How to act: Freestyle through the party, dropping Detroit references in every convo.

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Facebook, Faygo Beverages

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.

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Joe Alcodray at MissedYouAtTheShow.com

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.

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Shutterstock

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.

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Manny Millan/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images

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.

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Facebook, Detroit Lions

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.

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Shutterstock

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.

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Jordan Buzzy

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.

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Shutterstock

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?

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Wikimedia Commons, Gordy Records

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.

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Joe Maroon

The Nain Rouge

The mischievous red imp is a part of Detroit folklore, blamed for bringing bad luck and chaos to the city. The story has become more prominent since the annual Marche du Nain Rouge parade started in 2010, now a yearly tradition for Detroiters.

What to wear: A devilish, red costume with horns and a cape.

How to act: Be mischievous, start fake trouble, and claim that you've “cursed” the party.

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Larry Darling, Flickr Creative Commons

Kid Rock

The rapper-turned-country star has always embraced his metro Detroit roots, but most Detroiters probably don’t want to claim him.

What to wear: Long, sandy blonde hair parted down the middle alongside a mustache and goatee, an American flag jacket, cowboy hat, sunglasses, and maybe a leather vest.

How to act: Conservative and country. Plus, carry around a bottle of Kid Rock’s Badass Beer.

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Lee DeVito

Joumana Kayrouz

The lawyer whose billboards dominate Detroit’s highways is a local icon.

What to wear: Bleach blonde hair, deep purple-ish lipstick, and business attire.

How to act: Intensely stare at everyone so they know you’re always watching – but for good reason.

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Wikimedia Commons, Mika Photography

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.

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Facebook, The Heidelberg Project

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.

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Wikimedia Commons, JoaoSPinto18

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.

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Mike Pfieffer

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.

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Courtesy photo

J Dilla

The legendary Detroit producer redefined hip-hop with his smooth, soulful beats with unique patterns.

What to wear: Detroit cap, silver chain, headphones, and a MPC3000 drum machine.

How to act: Calm and collected, nodding to the beats in your head.

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Search

25 Detroit-inspired Halloween costume ideas

Spirit of Detroit

Coney Dog

New-era Detroit rapper

Faygo

Detroit Lions fan

Better Made chips

Bad Boys-era Detroit Pistons player

Dan Campbell

GM Ren Cen

Dan Gilbert

Mayor Duggan

Motown singer

The Nain Rouge

Kid Rock

Joumana Kayrouz

Slim Shady

The Heidelberg Project

Big Meech

New Detroiter

J Dilla

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