Clown Costume
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The clown is one of the few costumes that works two completely different ways. It can be a goofy circus classic for a kid’s party or the creepiest thing at the haunted house. Decide which one before you buy a single piece.
What Makes It Work
For a classic clown, it’s all about bright color and proportion. Baggy polka-dot or patchwork jumpsuit, a big ruffled collar, oversized shoes, a rainbow wig and a red nose. White face makeup with a big painted smile pulls it together.
For a scary clown, keep the shapes but drain the joy. Dirty or faded colors, a torn ruff, smeared makeup, dark circles and a smile painted too wide. Yellowed teeth or sharp fangs push it over the edge.
Either way, the face does most of the work. Practice your makeup once before the night of.
What People Get Wrong
Mixing the two moods so it ends up neither funny nor scary, like a happy rainbow wig with a gory face. Pick one. The other mistake is cheap greasepaint that cracks and smears within an hour. Set it with powder, or use water-activated face paint instead.
Buy It or Build It?
Kits run about $25 to $70. A wig and a red nose cost under $15, and thrift stores are full of loud, baggy clothes that make a better clown than most packaged suits.
Where to Buy
| Retailer | What they carry | |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | Costume kits, wigs and accessories | Shop on Amazon |
FAQ
How do I do simple clown makeup?
White face base, a big red smile that extends past your real lips, arched brows painted high on your forehead, and a red nose. Set everything with translucent powder.
How do I make a clown costume scary?
Age everything. Stain the fabric, tear the ruff, smudge the makeup, add dark shadows around the eyes and paint the smile too wide.
Is a scary clown costume okay for a kids' party?
Probably not. Plenty of kids, and adults, are genuinely scared of clowns. Save the creepy version for adult events.
What's a good group clown costume?
A whole circus troupe works well: a ringmaster, a couple of classic clowns and a strongman. Or go full creepy with a group of evil clowns.
Next up: Zombie 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.