April O'Neil Costume
Channel the fearless TMNT reporter in her iconic yellow jumpsuit.
April O'Neil is the fearless television reporter and trusted ally of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. A popular choice for retro cartoon fans, her signature look is defined by a bold yellow jumpsuit, white accessories, and a news microphone. This guide helps you recreate her classic 1987 animated series appearance.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~20 min
- Budget
- $35–85
Try it on
See yourself as April O'Neil
One clear photo of yourself; we render you in this costume — face untouched, full body, about 20 seconds.
One render, $1. No account needed — if it fails you're not charged. Pricing.
Your photo is sent to Google's Gemini API to make the render and isn't used for training. Renders are AI-generated and labelled.
Want a different costume on this photo, or a whole group in costume? Open the Try-On Studio.
What you need for a April O'Neil costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete April O'Neil costume — one box instead of 5 pieces.
Yellow Jumpsuit
A bright canary yellow utility jumpsuit or flight suit with a front zipper and collar.
DIY: Dye a white cotton canvas boiler suit bright yellow using fabric dye.
White Waist Belt
A wide, white faux-leather belt with a simple buckle to cinch the waist.
DIY: Wrap a strip of white vinyl or a white scarf tightly around the waist.
White Boots
Calf-high white boots, either flat rain boots or retro go-go boots.
DIY: Wear white rain boots or wrap white duct tape over comfortable shoes.
Reporter Microphone
A black toy microphone with a square flag featuring a blue '6' logo for Channel 6 News.
DIY: Print a 'Channel 6' logo on cardstock, fold it into a cube, and slide it onto a black toy microphone.
Auburn Wig
A shoulder-length auburn or reddish-brown wig styled with voluminous 80s feathered bangs.
DIY: Style your own hair with high-hold hairspray and a round brush to get retro volume.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made April O'Neil costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the yellow jumpsuit, zipping it up to the chest and folding the collar down.
- 2
Roll the sleeves of the jumpsuit up to your mid-forearms.
- 3
Fasten the wide white belt snugly around your waist over the jumpsuit.
- 4
Pull on the calf-high white boots.
- 5
Put on the auburn wig, brushing out the bangs to create a voluminous 1980s feathered look.
- 6
Attach your DIY Channel 6 logo to the microphone and hold it ready for a broadcast.
Makeup & hair
Style your hair or wig into a voluminous, feathered 80s bob with bangs. Keep makeup simple with a light foundation, neutral eyeshadow, and a soft peach or pink lipstick.
April O'Neil for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair up with Casey Jones in a hockey mask or one of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
- group
- Team up with all four Ninja Turtles and Master Splinter for an epic group costume.
- kids
- A yellow jumpsuit or yellow overalls paired with a toy microphone makes an adorable mini-reporter.
- Plus size
- Look for a stretch-material yellow flight suit or utility jumpsuit for a comfortable, flexible fit.
- pet
- Dress your dog in a green turtle shell backpack to be your sidekick.
Tips
- If a full jumpsuit is hard to find, pair a yellow long-sleeve utility shirt with matching yellow cargo pants.
- Print out a 'Channel 6' logo on sticker paper and wrap it around a generic toy microphone for an instant custom prop.
- Wear comfortable white sneakers if you plan on walking a lot instead of stiff high-heeled boots.
April O'Neil costume FAQ
- What color is April O'Neil's jumpsuit?
- April O'Neil's classic 1987 animated jumpsuit is bright canary yellow, paired with a white belt and white boots.
- How do I make a DIY April O'Neil microphone?
- Take a black toy microphone, print a small '6' inside a blue circle on cardstock, and tape or glue it to the microphone head to represent Channel 6 News.
- What hairstyle does April O'Neil have?
- She has a voluminous, shoulder-length auburn or red-brown bob with feathered 80s bangs.
Did you know? In her original 1984 Mirage Studios comic book debut, April O'Neil was a computer programmer rather than a television news reporter.