A Comprehensive List of House Mascots as Halloween Costumes

With two Halloweekends this year, the pressure is on. You not only need one costume to make your ex jealous, you need TWO. How can you come up with enough costumes for all of the Crimween-style parties, you may ask?

I propose an idea. Perhaps you are so dedicated to your house you want to show off some house pride? Perhaps, you’re just yearning for a way to save money by borrowing from HoCo?

So, dress up as your House mascot.! But… I get it. Some mascots fit the occasion better than others. Which is why we’ve worked hard to inform all of you which mascots are in and which are (sadly) out.

Coolest Costumes:

Mather Tower
Hands down the top choice for recognizability. It’s easy to make with a refrigerator box (ask HSA), and slightly scary to some. Honestly, someone needs to bring the Mather Tower some love — I personally love it, and it could change its reputation.

Kirkland Boar & Winthrop Lion
Of all the animal mascots, these are the coolest, in my opinion. They’re unique, and no one else will probably dress the same (unless they read this). If you go to a non-Harvard party, it can work elsewhere; you can pretend to be Pumbaa or Simba from The Lion King. Bonus points if you go together!

Random, but Better than Other Houses:
These are definitely… unique, but I would giggle if I saw them in the wild.

- Lowell Blue Man – It’s just goofy, you could pretend to be part of the Blue Man Group.

- Currier Tree – I love this costume, super recognizable.

- Lev, but Elle Woods version – Remember the scene where she shows up in the bunny costume to a non-costume party? Imagine that, but green. I’m biased because I’m in Leverett House, but I feel as if this would be very iconic. However, it has been done before.

OK, but Not Super Recognizable:
Here’s a list of animals you could go as. They all have the same vibe and wouldn’t be recognized as a mascot, just an animal costume (maybe a “Mean Girls” reference):

- Cabot – Fish

- Pfoho – Polar Bear

- Eliot – Elephant

- Dunster – Moose

- Quincy – Penguin

- Mather – Gorilla

- Lev – Bunny

Not great:

- Adams Acorn – I would giggle, but I don’t think this would be recognizable.

- Lowell Bell – Don’t go as this. Just don’t do it.

These costumes work best if you’re going to a house-specific function, but they could be fun at the club. Maybe reach out to HoCo’s to see if they could organize a costume-themed house event. No matter what you go as, be sure to be safe and have a happy, happy Halloween! :)