Wanna Dress Up?

All Hallows Eve. It means different things to different people. Parking it in front of the TV for the millionth viewing of Hocus Pocus since October 1 (it really WILL cast a spell on you). You-tubing the classic episode of Boy Meets World (“we’ll always remember he was that tall”). Going to your local five and dime to pick up the best candy money has to offer, because you WILL be the most popular house on the block. Planning a way to hide from trick-or-treaters.

Whatever you’re doing, the Wannado team urges you to go all out and dress up this year. What other holiday allows you to transform into literally anything you want? We also know that you probably want to wear that Nashville pride on your sleeve this Halloween, so we’ve got you covered. Here’s your Wannado guide to the best Nashville-inspired costumes to:

Strike While The Iron Is Hot:

A Character From Nashville

But let’s be real, Connie Britton will never stop being relevant.

WHY:

Halloween is the unofficial test of being up-to-date on pop culture. However, Nashville keeps it classy. Instead of donning your best Miley-Cyrus-twerking-at-the-VMAs get-up (which, honestly, you could just pick up some nude colored latex to wrap yourself in from Lowe’s but DON’T let us give you any ideas on that), try paying homage to the show that’s putting us on the map. Bonus: they’re all ridiculously attractive, so you won’t have to ugly it up if your end game is to find some romance this October 31st. You probably have most of the elements in your closet, because you’re Nashville-fashionable on a daily basis, you handsome devils.

WHAT TO WEAR:

Ladies: Take a cue from both Rayna and Juliette – if you have some extensions, now is the time to give that Southern hair a little oomph. Check out our Pinterest board for Nashville-inspired beauty. You could even check out the place where Juliette got her corset made for the music video she filmed in Buddy Killen Traffic Circle – the corsets are for rent at Ani & Ari. If there is a time to wear a bedazzled corset, it’s Halloween.

Fellas: Don’t shave for a day, pick out a flannel, and put on your Imogene + Willies. Because you’re all Deacon, you studs (minus the alcoholism and self-loathing, we hope). Carry around a guitar for effect…we’re pretty sure you’ll be able to find one on short notice.

Be A Walking Inside Joke:

A Local Celebrity

No one gets us like the Bang This twins.

WHY:

Yes, Nashville is notoriously friendly and welcoming. We’ve heard of someone at the airport who sneezed and a chorus of Nashvillian’s sang out “bless you” at the same time. We know how to be inclusive. BUT, there’s nothing wrong with a little “you-had-to-be-there” every once in awhile. If you’re a local, odds are you’ve heard of the Bang This Twins. These dudes go around downtown Nashville spreading super weird cheer, dancing and taking pictures with tourists and locals alike (and being each other’s ultimate wingman). Walk into a party as a local celebrity, and you’ll be able to identify your fellow Nashville lovers by the look of recognition on their faces.

WHAT TO WEAR:

To be the Bang This Twins, just go get some simple blue T-shirts, visors, and some fabric paint. Make sure you have some courage, too, because if people don’t get this costume right off the bat, things can be awkward for a minute (trust us).

Make Your Outfit A Game:

Hipster Band Member or A Guy From Duck Dynasty?

Keep em’ guessing, Jack.

WHY:.

This works best in a group. Gather your bros (or your ladies, if you gals don’t mind sporting some luscious fake beards). Have half of you dressed as members of some toe-tappin’, barefoot, beard-and-harmonica-clad rag tag indie group. Preferably the guys from Old Crow Medicine Show, Iron & Wine…you get the idea. Have the other half dress up as Louisiana’s favorite redneck entrepreneurs. You’d be surprised at the similarities. Do the big reveal at the end of the night and see if your fellow Halloween party-goers could tell the difference. Oh, you and your whimsical costume and social commentary about the similarities of seemingly different subcultures! Well done.

WHAT TO WEAR:

Anything from Bass Pro, Goodwill, or a trash can. Not too hard, y’all. As far as grooming, you should have stopped shaving 5 years ago.

Be Clever & Show Some Local Love:

Local Business Puns

Because OMG you might get retweeted by your favorite coffee shop.

WHY:

We’ve got local pride for days. We also have an aching desire to showcase our biting wit – such is the nature of mankind. Embrace it for the night and give your favorite local biz some love! What do we mean? Well, are you a fan of Bongo Java? Dress as a cup of coffee and borrow a bongo drum from your free-spirited, noisy neighbor. Presto! You’re a genius. Love the sandwiches from The Silly Goose? Paper mache a beak of some sort, tie a string around it, and tell jokes all night, you silly goose!

WHAT TO WEAR:

BONGO JAVA: Wear all brown (whatever shade represents how you take your cup of joe). Put on a white hat and get a red pipe cleaner coming out of the top like a straw. Hold a bongo drum. Play it until you get kicked out of the party.
FROTHY MONKEY: This one could get weird, but we think you should go for it. Dress up as a monkey and foam at the mouth with the help of some toothpaste and baking soda. Looks more like a rabid monkey, but locals will get the joke.
SILLY GOOSE: Find some sort of cone to spray paint gray and attach it to your nose. Wear all white. Tell jokes all night long, and behave in a silly manner. It’s that easy.
WILD COW: Personify the East Nash vegan restaurant by Sharpie-ing a cheap white shirt/pants with cow spots. Then get wild. We suggest Mardi Gras beads.
THIRD MAN: Find two dudes who are too lame to dress up. Follow them around & carry a tape recorder, recording all the spooky Halloween party sounds. THIRD MAN RECORDS. Ba-dum-ch!
MAD DONNA’S: Dress up as Donna Summer (any jumpsuit with sequins). Act really angry.
THE SMILING ELEPHANT: Wear head to toe gray, fashion some elephant ears/a trunk out of pipe cleaner/fabric, and smile all night long. THERE! You are pleasant AND you’re reppin’ everyone’s favorite Thai Restaurant.

Stick With A Classic:
A Country Legend

Because in the wise words of Dolly Parton, “It takes a lot of money to look this cheap.” Bonus points if you dress up your baby like Willie Nelson.

WHY:

Music City’s got the richest musical history in the south. Why not play it up? Halloween can let you transform into a Nashville great – if you do it right you might even get a double-take from some tourists and sign a few autographs!

WHAT TO WEAR:

You can go so many directions with this one! Whether you want to be Dolly, Reba, Faith, Merle, Willie, Hank…you can do it! We suggest dropping by Katy K’s for some down-south vintage glamour. Also, you’re going to want to walk through the new Omni Hotel in downtown Nashville – they have country star’s wardrobes from yesteryear on display, and it will give you a world of ideas to recreate in time for this Thursday!

Bring out the big guns, Nashville, and don’t be afraid to get a little festive. Tag us in your Halloween snapshots at @wannadolocal so we can see what you end up wearing! Because you’re better than “I’m a mouse…duh.” Grab the Wannado app to plan all your Halloween festivities and get local tips!

– Your local guide.