How to Make a Ghost Costume

Co-authored by Alina Bokovikova

Last Updated: March 4, 2024 Fact Checked

A ghost costume is perfect if you’re looking for a spooky costume for Halloween or a costume party. Even better, it’s super easy and affordable to make the costume yourself!

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Make a Traditional Ghost Costume

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1
Cut the brim off a light-colored baseball hat. If you don't want to cut the brim off your hat, you can just wear it backwards. Or, purchase an unwanted one from the thrift store.
- The hat should be as light in color as possible, or people will be able to see it through the bed sheet that will be draped over your head.
2
Drape the sheet over the head of the person wearing the ghost costume. If it drags on the floor too much, then mark the place where it should be cut.
- The costume should drag just a little to create a floating effect, but not so much that the person wearing it trips.
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Have the person under the sheet poke out his or her fingers to where his or her eyes are, and draw little dots on the sheet at these points.
5
Remove the sheet. Pin it to the baseball hat. Place the mark you made for the center of the person's head right in the center of the baseball hat.
- Pin the sheet around the hat; you'll need to use about three or four more pins.
- If you don't want the black dot on the top of the head to be so noticeable, you can flip the sheet over. You should still be able to see where the mark on the top of the head is, but it will be less visible to onlookers.
- You can also just cover the mark with white-out. Or, use a fabric marker pencil that fades (invisible fabric markers).
Cut eye holes where the eye positions have been marked. Circle them with black magic marker. The eye holes should be at least twice as big as the wearer's eyes.
Use the marker to draw a nose and a mouth. You can cut a hole for either the nose or mouth, to make it easier to breathe.
If you marked a place where the sheet should be cut, cut along that line.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Make a More Elaborate Ghost Costume

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You can make it a little bigger when you cut it, to make sure that the person can fit his or her head through the sheet.
Cut in jagged lines for a ragged effect.
Do this with fabric glue. This will create a spooky effect.
You can glue more tattered triangles to the person's shirt so that they hang down like icicles.
The person should be able to easily put his or her head through the top hole and his or her arms should fit neatly through the arm holes.
12
Apply white face makeup all over the person's face. Cover all parts of the face, even the eyebrows and lips.
- You can also put the makeup on the person's neck, since it will be visible.
You can either paint the lips, or leave them covered with the white makeup.
This will create a dusty look.

Expert Q&A

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Question

Can you make a ghost costume out of a pillowcase?

Alina Bokovikova
Costume Designer
Alina Bokovikova is a Costume Designer from California. With over 15 years of experience, she specializes in designing costumes for stage productions. Alina earned an MFA in Costume Design from the University of California, San Diego and her Master of Education from the Novosibirsk Pedagogical University. She’s won two Outstanding Costume Design awards and her costumes have been displayed in Moscow, Prague, and San Jose, California.

Alina Bokovikova

Costume Designer

Expert Answer

You can, but keep in mind that the pillowcase will only cover the face. Use a whole bed sheet if you'd like to cover yourself completely. Just be sure to cut out two holes for the eyes!

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Question

I don't understand why the hat is needed. Can't we just drape the sheet over our heads?

Pillowpig

Community Answer

Yes, after all, it is your costume - have fun with it!

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Question

Can a hat be used to hold or stabilize the costume and keep eye holes in place?

Community Answer

If you're pinning the sheet to the hat and then wearing the hat under the sheet so the sheet doesn't shift around and slide off your head, then yes, this will work.

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Tips

Painting your fingernails black or white will add to your ghostly look.

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Helpful 51 Not Helpful 20
The bed sheet method for making a ghost costume is classic, but remember that it may make it a little hard to socialize. If you're trick-or-treating, this is a great costume, but if you're going to a party, painting your face and draping a sheet over your shoulders may work best.

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Helpful 39 Not Helpful 19
Try to wear light-colored shoes with the costume for the most authentic look.

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