Alien Costume
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The flying saucer craze of the 1950s gave us a whole universe of costume aliens, from little green men to the big-eyed gray visitors of later decades. It’s a fun, flexible costume that can be funny, creepy or cute, and nobody can tell you you’ve got it wrong.
What Makes It Work
Pick your alien first. Little green men are cartoonish and fun. Gray aliens have big black almond eyes and smooth heads. Retro space aliens wear silver jumpsuits.
For the body, wear a metallic silver or bright green outfit, or all black with metallic accents. Face paint in green, gray or silver is the biggest transformation. Carry it up over the hairline and onto the ears.
Add an antenna headband for the cartoon version, or big black almond eyes drawn on or worn as wraparound sunglasses for the gray version. A toy ray gun is the perfect prop.
What People Get Wrong
Mixing three alien styles at once. Choose one. The other mistake is face paint that stops at the jaw. Carry it down the neck.
Buy It or Build It?
Alien costume sets run $20 to $45. Face paint, an antenna headband and a ray gun cost under $25 if you have a silver or black outfit.
Where to Buy
| Retailer | What they carry | |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | Costume kits, wigs and accessories | Shop on Amazon |
FAQ
How do I make an alien costume?
Wear a silver or green outfit, paint your face in metallic green or gray, add antennae or big black eyes, and carry a ray gun.
Is an alien a good group costume?
Yes. Dress as a crew and bring a cardboard flying saucer.
What couples costume works with an alien?
An alien and an astronaut, an alien and a cow being abducted, or two aliens from the same planet.
Is an alien costume good for kids?
Very. Antenna headbands and silver outfits are cute and easy to wear.
Next up: Snow Queen Costume
See Also
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.