7 Halloween costume ideas inspired by New Jersey

Halloween is fast approaching, which means it's crunch time for costume ideas.

This year, there's bound to be throngs of superheroes, Trumps & Clintons, Ghostbusters and tributes to Willy Wonka. So, why not think outside the box and pay tribute to the great Garden State?

I've come up with seven ultra-NJ costume ideas to get you started.

Have another creative costume that's super Jersey? Tweet me @ProudJersey and at @NJ1015.

1. "Zombie traffic cone" 

For Bridgegate, the scandal that won’t die. It's simple enough, too, as you could start with this cone costume hat on Amazon and do some zombie face makeup. It's up to you whether you want to be *someone* working the cones, perhaps with a blue fleece. Just a thought.

2. "Olympic gymnast Laurie Hernandez"

Jersey Girl Gold Medalist is a fun costume for all ages, and super kid-friendly. You could grab a leotard and fake medal. Or put that medal on with a dance costume, since she’s tearing things up these days on "Dancing with the Stars".

3. "Gi-Eag-ets football fan"  

That's meant to be ⅓ Giants, ⅓ Eagles and ⅓ Jets fan- for the state with a massive rivalry over three NFL teams that aren’t really ours. 

Pulling this off could be as simple as using gear already in your closet and a borrowed piece or two. There's also fan visors and masks aplenty at Amazon.

Ultimate NJ couples costume:

4. "Gas pump and station attendant"

After all, they are an essential pairing. ONLY in NJ.

There's a pre-made pump costume floating around on eBay, or you could get crafty with a cardboard box. As for the attendant, a work shirt and ball cap could do the trick. 

NJ group/family costumes:

5. "Pork roll, fried egg & cheese"

The quintessential Jersey 'dish' -- I’m picturing a baby in a front carrier dressed as an actual roll, with the Taylor logo.

Parents could flip for who gets to be the egg and who’s cheese…though the carrier would probably fit best over a homemade "cheese" outfit (think 'yellow shirt').

6. "Wawa coffee cup"

Jersey's love of Wawa is well established, which makes this an untapped popular costume idea. I've seen lots of DIY costumes touting Starbucks or Dunkin' Donuts, so there's some framework for a homemade creation. I'd say a Wawa coffee would be a party hit.

'Punniest' costume:

7. "New Jersey Deviled Egg"

There's a pre-fab costume out there, selling as devil horns and a cape on an egg costume, as a clever play on that irresistible party food. Why not grab a New Jersey Devils' foam finger,  hat or hockey stick and put a corny but fun Jersey spin on it?

Proud Jersey Girl Erin Vogt’s first reporting gig involved her Fisher Price tape recorder. As a wife and momma of two kiddies, she firmly believes that life’s too short to drink bad coffee.  A fan of the beach, Dave Grohl and karma, in no particular order.

Follow her on Twitter and on Facebook as ProudJersey.