It’s that time of year again.
No, not almost Christmas. Not Daylight Savings Time. Not our annual Holiday Happy Hour (but if you’re coming, let us know!). It’s something much bigger than all that.
That’s right, folks. It’s the Banfield Halloween Costume Review.
There’s a lot I could say about the fantastic entries we had for this year’s Best Costume award. But instead of hyping up an article you’re already reading, why not just get into it?
Okay, here we go:
Mark Brownlee, Hank Scorpio
According to the multiple Simpsons wiki entries I read for “research”, Hank Scorpio is an evil genius, so Mark was already halfway there. Unfortunately, Mark didn’t develop jaundice in time for Halloween, so points will be deducted for lack of yellow.
Katrin Emery, Ghostbuster
Dressed as the second coming of the all-woman reboot of Ghostbusters, this costume is the reason I ain’t afraid of no ghosts. (I am, however, a little afraid of beige overalls.)
Jeff Steele, Haunted Mansion host
With a ghostbuster on scene, there’s not much for a Haunted Mansion host to do but look super dapper and pose for pictures, I guess.
Venise Harquail, cowboy
Unlike Tom’s cowboy look last year, Venise actually brought her own hat. Good job, Venise! Very responsible of you, pardner.
Ben Marley, Bob Harris
Without Scarlett Johansson on his arm, does this costume get Lost in Translation? I have no idea, I’ve never seen the movie. What I do know is that this is Ben’s Banfield Halloween debut, so I’ll let the beard and lack of receding hairline slide. This time.
Carol Donegan, hippie
Carol didn’t actually dress up for Halloween. This is just kind of what she wears on Thursdays. I mean, she’s clearly made peace with the head-to-toe tassels look.
Paul Rushleau, carpet installer
As literally nobody but us knows, Banfield recently went through the long and gluey process of having new carpets installed. I assume this was Paul’s inspiration for this costume, though it could also have just been the realization of a lifelong dream. Who knows?
Lynn Bereza, assorted scary
In the immortal words of Led Zeppelin, “Aaa-aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa-ah!”
(More like stairway to Hell, amiright?)
Ashley Law, Lilo (and Stitch)
This costume is the cutest thing I’ve ever seen and if you don’t agree with me, you’re wrong. And that’s all I have to say about that.
Liz Jackson, a bee
According to all known laws of aviation, there is no way that a bee should be able to look this fly.
Aurelie Barbe, Stevie Nicks
I’d heard Rumours that Aurelie was going to dress up as a rock goddess, but never in my Dreams was I expecting the legendary Stevie Nicks. She won this year’s 70s-female-rock-performer category by a Landslide.
Jess Harris, gumball machine
Do I have a joke for this one? No. Do I have a crazy amount of respect to Jessica for coming in in the pouring rain with 114 actual gum balls glued to her shirt? A very sticky yes.
Craig Lobban, 80s rockstar
We get it, Craig. You want us to go to the Agency Rock-Off. Subtle.
Kristal Felea, Louise Belcher
Louise is arguably the most intimidating character on Bob’s Burgers, which aligns her perfectly with Banfield’s partner Most Likely to Wear a Leather Jacket. Plus, I think if Louise could dress as any Banfielder for Halloween it would be Kristal, so it only makes sense the other way around.
Saving the best for last
Louise Brewer, gnome
Louise flipped the concept of Halloween on its head by making gnomes less terrifying than they normally are. Which is obviously very, very terrifying. This costume is cute, whimsical and everything gnomes should be in an ideal world.
Emily Charette, Cruella De Vil
In a stunning use of pants she somehow already owned, Emily was (Glenn) Close to winning the costume contest with this spot-on imitation of Disney’s least pet-friendly villain.
Veronique Gravel, Frida Kahlo
A unibrow hasn’t been rocked this hard since Bert made his Sesame Street debut in 1969. With a paint job that rivals Kahlo’s own, Vero won our internal costume competition, Halloween as a whole and, most importantly, our hearts.
Thanks for reading, folks, I’ll bee here all week.