Scarecrow Costume
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Scarecrows have guarded farm fields for centuries, and they make a great fall costume that works for Halloween and Thanksgiving alike. It can be cute and cozy or a little bit creepy, and most of it comes straight from your closet.
What Makes It Work
Start with a plaid flannel shirt and overalls or old jeans. Then patch them. Squares of burlap or bright fabric sewn or glued on look great.
Straw is the signature. Raffia or craft straw poking out of the cuffs, the collar, the pockets and from under the hat. Tie it in with rubber bands so it stays put.
Top it with a floppy straw hat or a worn felt hat, maybe with a crow perched on the brim. The face is the finishing touch: rosy painted cheeks, a triangle nose and a stitched smile drawn from cheek to cheek. For a scarier version, add burlap texture and dark eyes.
What People Get Wrong
Too much loose straw. It ends up in the car, the carpet and everyone else’s drink. Use raffia bundles tied tight, or felt “straw” strips that don’t shed. And make sure the straw near the face is soft so it doesn’t scratch.
Buy It or Build It?
Kits run about $20 to $45. Honestly, this is one of the best costumes to DIY: a flannel, old jeans, a bag of raffia and a hat, and you’re done.
Where to Buy
| Retailer | What they carry | |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | Costume kits, wigs and accessories | Shop on Amazon |
FAQ
How do I do scarecrow makeup?
Paint round rosy cheeks, a small triangle nose, and a long stitched smile with short cross lines in brown or black eyeliner.
How do I attach straw to a scarecrow costume?
Bundle raffia with rubber bands and tuck the bundles into the cuffs, collar and pockets, or hot-glue them to the inside of the hat brim.
Can a scarecrow costume be scary?
Yes. Use a burlap mask or burlap-textured makeup, dark sunken eyes and torn, dirty clothes.
What's a good couples scarecrow costume?
A scarecrow and a crow, a farmer or a pumpkin.
Next up: Pumpkin 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.