8 Costumes You Can Make With a Striped Shirt
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Stripes are a costume shortcut. Black and white, red and white, navy and white: each one belongs to a different character, which means one shirt can be half a dozen costumes.
Match your stripes to the idea below and add two or three pieces.
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1. Mime
Black-and-white stripes, a white face and invisible walls. The mime is the most famous striped-shirt costume there is.
How to do it: Black-and-white striped shirt, black pants, suspenders, white gloves and a black beret. White face paint with black teardrops, black lips and arched brows. Don’t say a word all night.
Worth buying: a mime face paint kit.
2. Sailor
Navy-and-white stripes are the classic French sailor shirt, and it’s an easy, stylish costume.
How to do it: Navy striped shirt, white or navy pants, a white sailor hat and a red neckerchief. Draw an anchor tattoo on your forearm with eyeliner.
Worth buying: a white sailor hat.
3. Old-Time Convict
Horizontal black-and-white stripes are a cartoon jailbird. Funny, easy and great for couples (pair with a cop).
How to do it: Black-and-white striped shirt and matching pants if you have them, a striped cap, a plastic ball and chain and a number written on a patch on the chest.
Worth buying: a ball and chain prop.
4. Referee
Vertical black-and-white stripes plus a whistle. It’s a perfect costume for a football watch party.
How to do it: Black-and-white striped referee shirt, black pants, black sneakers, a whistle and a yellow flag. Throw it at people all night.
Worth buying: a whistle and penalty flag.
5. Pirate
A striped shirt is the deckhand’s uniform. Add the right pieces and it’s a scruffy pirate.
How to do it: Red-and-white or black-and-white striped shirt, a sash at the waist, a bandana on the head, boots and an eye patch. Smudge some eyeshadow for a sea-worn look.
Worth buying: a pirate bandana and eye patch.
6. Bumblebee
Yellow-and-black stripes are a bumblebee in two minutes. Great for kids and groups.
How to do it: Yellow-and-black striped top, black leggings, small sheer wings and an antenna headband.
Worth buying: bee wings and antennae.
7. Zebra
Black-and-white stripes on top and bottom make a quick animal costume.
How to do it: Black-and-white striped top and leggings, a headband with small ears, and a black yarn mane pinned down the back of the hood or hair.
Worth buying: a zebra ear headband.
8. Candy Cane
Red-and-white stripes are perfect for a Christmas party, and they double as a peppermint.
How to do it: Red-and-white striped shirt, red or white pants, striped socks and a candy cane prop.
Worth buying: a giant candy cane prop.
Picking the Right Stripes
Black and white: mime, convict, referee or zebra. Navy and white: sailor. Red and white: pirate or candy cane. Yellow and black: bumblebee.
Horizontal versus vertical matters. Referees wear vertical stripes; mimes, sailors and convicts wear horizontal.
Add one prop. A whistle, a ball and chain or an eye patch is what turns a striped shirt into a costume.
Need more ideas? Browse the full costume encyclopedia from A to Z, or see our 10 last-minute costumes you can make tonight.
Striped Shirt Costume FAQ
What costumes can I make with a black and white striped shirt?
A mime, an old-time convict, a referee or a zebra.
What can I be with a red and white striped shirt?
A pirate or a candy cane.
What’s the easiest striped shirt costume?
A referee. Add a whistle and a flag and you’re done.
What couples costume works with a striped shirt?
A convict and a cop, two mimes, or a sailor and a mermaid.
Free: The Last-Minute Costume Cheat Sheet
Ten costumes you can make tonight, mostly from your own closet. One page, printable, plus a short email before each costume season. No spam.
