Frankenstein’s Monster Costume
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Mary Shelley wrote the creature in 1818 as a tall, patched-together man, and it’s been one of the great Halloween costumes ever since. It works best on tall people, but anyone can pull it off with the right walk. Fun fact you can use at the party: Frankenstein is the doctor. The monster never gets a name.
What Makes It Work
The jacket is the secret. Wear a dark blazer or work jacket one size too small, so the sleeves stop above the wrist. It makes you look bigger and more awkward, which is the whole point.
Paint the face a pale gray-green, darken the eye sockets, and draw a line of stitches across the forehead and one cheek with black eyeliner. Flatten your hair forward. Stick-on bolts at the sides of the neck finish the look.
Heavy boots, dark pants and a slow, stiff walk with arms slightly forward sell it. Don’t talk. Groan.
What People Get Wrong
Bright green face paint. The monster should look sickly, not like a frog. Mix gray into the green or use a pale gray-green. The other mistake is a jacket that fits well. It needs to look outgrown.
Buy It or Build It?
Full monster kits with a mask run $25 to $50, but masks get hot fast. Buy stick-on neck bolts and a gray-green makeup kit for under $20 and build the rest from a thrifted jacket.
Where to Buy
| Retailer | What they carry | |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | Costume kits, wigs and accessories | Shop on Amazon |
FAQ
Is Frankenstein the monster or the doctor?
The doctor. Victor Frankenstein builds the creature, who has no name in the book. Most people call the costume Frankenstein anyway.
How do I do Frankenstein makeup?
Pale gray-green base, dark shading around the eyes and cheekbones, and stitched scars drawn with black eyeliner. Set it with powder.
What's a good Frankenstein couples costume?
The monster and his bride, or the monster and a mad scientist.
Can a short person be Frankenstein's monster?
Sure. Platform boots and a too-small jacket make anyone look bigger.
Next up: Grim Reaper 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.