Ghost costumes are some of the quickest, easiest, and least expensive to make. Whether you're budget-strapped this Halloween or just want to dabble in the creative world of homemade costumes, these frightening ideas are sure to put a new spin on a Halloween classic.
How to Make a DIY Ghost Costume
The most common ghost costume is made from a simple white sheet with small eye holes. This costume idea takes minutes to create and can easily be removed when you need to be wearing normal clothes (think school). This is just the starting point for some incredible variations, so get ready to get creative (and spooky, too).
Before you start making your ghost outfit, take a sec to think about the direction you want to go. If you would like to have a ghost costume that actually frightens people on Halloween night, you'll want to add a few more ghastly details and special effects to your costume idea. Start with the basic ghost costume and then add accessories based on the type of ghost you've chosen.
Supplies
- Old and rumpled white clothing, the more tattered, the better
- White face paint
- Black face paint
- Long artificial nails
- Long, white wig
- Shoes, preferably in white or nude
- Red fabric paint
Instructions
- Add a few tears to the white clothing. Really get into it and grunge up this outfit.
- Add some red paint to the clothes to look like blood stains. Don't go overboard, since this is better as an understated special effect.
- Use white face paint to create a pale face. Apply white paint with a moistened sponge for a light, believable finish. Reapply as needed until you have the creepy look you want.
- Apply black face paint lightly on the apples of the cheeks and on the crevices of the eyelids to create a sunken and ghastly appearance.
- Add a wig for extra creepiness. Long wigs are the best choice to create the appearance of matted, unkempt hair. Since artificial hair costume wigs can't be styled without creating a stringy mess, a simple stroke through the wig with the palms of your hands will break up the sleek style while beginning to tangle and mat the wig.
- While you can wear any color pair of shoes, a lighter shade will help create the appearance of "floating."
- Apply long artificial nails (preferably in a neutral polish or black).
Related: Halloween Ghost Makeup for a Stunning, Supernatural Look
More Ghost Outfit Ideas to Haunt Your Imagination
The basic ghost is anything but boring, but you can get super creative by giving your costume a theme. These are a few of our favorite variations.
Shakespearean Ghost
If you've ever seen or read a Shakespeare play, you know ghosts are kind of a big deal. Channel the Bard with these ideas.
- Banquo- Banquo is the ghost of Macbeth's friend and can make for the perfect variation on the traditional ghost costume. Wear britches, a waistcoat, and ruff. Grab these items from thrift stores and stain them with blood. Add some baby powder to turn them dead-white.
- The ghost of Hamlet's father- The ghost of Hamlet's father has always had a variety of looks. You'll need to bring in some bits of armor, such as a helmet and sword. Pick these up at a costume shop. If your head is showing, add to the fun by having blood drip from your ear where the poison was deposited!
- Ophelia - Although she's not technically a ghost, Ophelia is one of the most haunting characters in Hamlet. To get a creepy ghost Ophelia look, wear a ragged dress that looks like it could be wet. Put lots of gel in your hair so it looks wet, too, and attach lots of flowers to your hair and clothing (remember rosemary for remembrance).
Dickens Ghosts
If you want to know how to make a ghost costume for a group, look no further than the Dickens classic A Christmas Carol. There are four ghosts in this story that can be made into a costume:
- Scrooge's former partner Marley - Wear a suit and vest, covered in chains. To complete the look, carry a money box.
- The Ghost of Christmas Past - Wear a long, white robe or flowing white dress. This ghost had a candle on its head, so you'll need to wear a bright, shiny headpiece. If you can find a crown or wig with a light attached, that is ideal.
- The Ghost of Christmas Present - Wear a long, green, fur-lined robe. If you don't have naturally curly hair, wear a curly brown wig and a wreath on your head. Carry a fake torch.
- The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come - Wear a black, hooded robe similar to a Grim Reaper costume.
Creepy Clown Ghost
A lot of people get creeped out by clowns, and that's a great way to make your ghost costume truly terrifying. Consider pairing your ghostly suit with an evil clown mask. Or you can go the makeup route and add clown makeup.
Ghost Bride
There's just something really freaky about a bride in ghost form, so this is an awesome option for a creative variation on the standard ghost costume. Hit up the thrift store for an old wedding dress and get it really dirty. Add ghost makeup and carry a bouquet of dead flowers.
Related: 15 Places to Search for Ghosts (& What to Look Out For)
DIY Ghost Costumes Are Creepy Fun
No matter what style of ghost costume you choose to make, you're sure to have a great time trick-or-treating or attending a Halloween party when you wear your outfit. Your costume will be fun, comfy, and creative, and you'll be glad to know that you made the costume yourself without having to spend a fortune.
