Buzz
If you're looking to transform into a clown for Halloween or any other occasion, crafting your own costume is both popular and simple. Whether you aim for a cute, classic, or slightly spooky appearance, you can easily customize your look. With a mix of household items and thrift store finds, you can assemble a DIY clown ensemble that's sure to turn heads.
Procedure
Creating the Ensemble
Adorn a plain white shirt with glued-on buttons or pom-poms. Grab a plain white tee that you're willing to convert into a clown costume. Arrange large pom-poms or colorful buttons along the shirt's center and secure them with hot glue. Allow the glue to dry for approximately 10 minutes.
- If you lack pom-poms or buttons, don't worry; a plain white shirt will suffice when paired with the rest of your costume.
- Alternatively, opt for a shirt featuring a vibrant or bold pattern.
Adhere a large bow tie onto your shirt's collar. Select a bright-colored polka dot fabric and fold it into a 6 by 3 inch rectangle. Cinch the middle with a rubber band, then affix the bow tie to the front of your shirt, just below the collar. Allow it to dry for approximately 10 minutes to ensure it stays in place.
- You can also purchase pre-made bow ties at most party supply stores.
- Create a large, floppy bow tie to enhance the clown aesthetic.
Select a frilly skirt or vibrant pants. Opt for rainbow, checkered, or plaid pants, or consider wearing a tulle frilly skirt as your clown attire. Search through your wardrobe or visit a local thrift store to find suitable options.
- Pair bright and colorful bottoms with a white top.
- If your top features bold patterns, opt for plain or colorful bottoms.
- Add colorful leggings under your skirt for an attention-grabbing ensemble.
Tip: For an added clown touch, locate oversized pants and secure them with suspenders.
Don oversized shoes, 2 sizes too big. Borrow a pair of oversized shoes from a family member or friend. Stuff the front with newspaper until they fit comfortably, then tie them tightly to prevent slipping during wear.
- Alternatively, wear any brightly colored shoes or even incorporate roller skates into your costume.
- For a cute, feminine clown look, wear shoes in your size and attach a pom pom to the tip using a safety pin or alligator clip for a removable rainbow accent.
Secure suspenders to your pants for added authenticity. Attach brightly colored suspenders to the waistband of your pants or skirt. Pull them over your shoulders to create a border around the pom-poms or buttons on the front of your costume.
- If suspenders are unavailable, sew two lengths of brightly colored ribbon on either side of your pom-poms or buttons. Opt for yellow, red, or blue ribbon and use a straight stitch for attachment.
Apply fake blood to your shirt and pants for a spooky clown ensemble. If you're aiming for a creepy, unsettling look this Halloween, grab some fake blood and use a sponge to dab it onto your clothing. Concentrate on the front of your shirt to create the illusion of a recent, macabre encounter.
- You can purchase costume blood at most Halloween specialty stores.
Styling Your Hair and Makeup
Coat your face with white face paint. Utilize white foundation or face paint along with a sponge makeup brush. Apply a generous layer of white paint to cover your entire face, extending it slightly down your neck.
Tip: It may be necessary to apply several layers of white face paint for optimal coverage.
Create red circles on your cheeks. Use red face paint to draw 3-inch wide circles on the tops of your cheeks. Completely fill in the circles to achieve an exaggerated blush reminiscent of classic clown makeup. Repeat the process on the other cheek.
- If red face paint is unavailable, substitute red lipstick.
Enhance your lips with bold red lipstick. Apply red lipstick generously to your lips, then outline them about 2 inches (5.1 cm) beyond your natural lip line. Fill in the outlined area with the same lipstick color.
- Opt for a vibrant firetruck red lipstick shade to make it pop against your white face paint.
- For a sinister clown appearance, choose black lipstick instead.
Create black semi-circles around your eyes. Use a black eyeliner pencil to draw semi-circle outlines around each eye, extending them upward to the middle of your forehead. This will give your clown face exaggerated, dramatic eyes.
- If you don't have a black eyeliner pencil, you can use dark face paint in shades like blue, purple, or green.
- For a creepy clown effect, draw two black vertical lines from the center of your forehead down over each eye, stopping just above your cheeks for a eerie, doll-like appearance.
Fill the semi-circles with blue eyeshadow. Use an eyeshadow palette and a large makeup brush to apply blue eyeshadow within the black semi-circles around your eyes. This will give your clown a wide-eyed, expressive look.
- You can choose any color for your clown eyes.
Add bold black eyebrows above your eyes. Use the black eyeliner pencil to draw thick, black eyebrows approximately 1 inch (2.5 cm) above your drawn-on eyes. Fill them in completely to create large, fluffy eyebrows.
- Position the eyebrows near your hairline.
Apply fake blood to create a creepy clown effect. If you want to achieve a truly frightening look, use fake blood to drip down from your mouth onto your neck. You can also let some of the blood drip onto your clown shirt to create the illusion of a messy eater.
- For an extra scary clown costume, consider wearing fake pointy teeth with your outfit.
Complete your look with a vibrant rainbow wig. Browse through thrift stores or costume shops in your area to find a curly rainbow wig. Conceal your hair under a wig cap and wear the rainbow wig to perfect your clown ensemble.
- If you're unable to find a rainbow wig, use temporary hair color spray to transform your hair into a rainbow.
Helpful Tips
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Clown costumes offer plenty of room for creativity, so feel free to experiment with different costume ideas and makeup looks.
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Visit thrift stores in your local area to discover affordable clothing items and wigs for your costume.
Essential Items
Creating the Outfit
- Plain White T-shirt
- Pom poms or buttons
- Hot glue gun
- Hot glue sticks
- Frilly skirt or colorful pants
- Oversized shoes
- Bow tie
- Fake blood (optional)
Styling Your Hair and Makeup
- Makeup sponge
- White face paint
- Red lipstick
- Red face paint
- Black eyeliner pencil
- Blue eyeshadow
- Rainbow wig
- Fake blood (optional)
