BNOCs, Squadka and Scorpions: A guide to Bristol themed Halloween costumes

Spooky season is here, and once again, university students around the country are scrambling to outdo each other with their costumes. It’s no secret that Halloween in Bristol is a fantastic time of year, and with the ridiculous amount of lore embedded in Bristol university culture, there’s a myriad of different dress-ups you can do to give your mates a laugh – in this case, our culture is your costume.  Whether you’re going solo or want to go with a mate or partner, ditch the classic witchy garb and try out these unique ideas drawn from Bristol’s finest, or at least funniest, moments.

The ghost of the ASS library, Bristol’s most mysterious character, it would be rude not to include him in this. Although not much is known about him, the rumours preceding the Revolut man are legendary – and if you haven’t been targeted by him, you definitely need to spend more time in the library. The man has spoken to literally everyone. Ideal for anyone looking for a last-minute costume, grab some cargos, a T-shirt, a lanyard, and a bunch of cash, and there you have it: the man, the myth, the legend. Spend your evening terrorising people in smokers’ areas, causing flashbacks of days spent in the ASS, plagued by the sales patter of the Revolut man.

We’ve all heard the legend, a true freshers’ horror story, of the student who kept a pickled rat in his student accommodation. A Bristol classic, grab your best *totally* fake fur coat, add a tail and some whiskers, and there you have it: the legend of Orchard Heights in the flesh. For extra panache, carry around a jar of pickles with you to show your commitment to the role.

A hellish experience, especially around prime lunch time, the Queen’s Avenue Sainsbury’s is not for the weak. The thought of fighting through throngs of freshers to grab the last meal deal is enough to strike fear in every Bristol student, and perfectly balances humour and scare-factor. Sharpen up your DIY skills and fashion a dress, top or skirt out of a Sainsbury’s plastic bag and accessorise with a crown or tiara to show that you’re from Queen’s Avenue. The perfect costume for any diva willing to get a bit crafty and wanting to gain green points for recycling those pesky plastic bags that stack up in your kitchen.

If you’re an avid Bristol Tab follower, you will have seen our BNOC competition – why not pay homage to one of our contestants, now sadly graduated, as a throwback to Bristol’s version of celebrity culture? Use this as an excuse to get the most eye-popping nail designs, load up on the chunky rings and prints, topped off with curtain bangs and oversized glasses, and bring the figure of ‘peas on toast girl’, AKA Honor Wolstencroft, back to haunt Bristol yet again. Bonus points if you carry around some peas and toast to really embody the character.

For all you cute couples, or those about to run a legendary Halloween two-man, this is a brilliant duo costume. The lifeline of Fresher’s Week, spook your fellow students by triggering flashbacks to awkward conversations, sat clutching a bottle of squadka at first year pres. Whether you want to simply DIY labels or go the whole hog and buy inflatable bottle costumes, this duo is sure to bring back terrifying memories of squadka-fuelled antics for every student you meet.

Arguably the best couples costume Bristol culture has to offer, the scorpion and Shein package is a fantastic option for the more daring of you. Most will remember the dazzling mixture of outrage and memes that erupted when a Bristol student received a scorpion in her Shein package, so why not revive this terrible tale for Halloween? Like the Queen’s Avenue Sainsbury’s costume, this requires a bit of handiwork, turning a simple Shein bag into a stunning outfit. The scorpion, however, is a chance to go all out – tail, claws and all (unless you can figure out how to DIY a scorpion costume…)

The beacon of Bristol, home of Fishies, the Triangle is one of Bristol’s most well-known spots, haunted by students pretty much every day of the week. Word on the street is that some creative students are dressing up as the Bristol holy trinity – Brass Pig, Daisy’s, and LaRocca. Sorry to whoever’s idea this was, it was truly too good not to include. If you’re a group of four, add your own spooky twist and include the ghost of Gravity – gone but never forgotten.