Ares Costume
Command the battlefield as the legendary Greek god of war.
Step into the sandals of Ares, the formidable Greek god of war. Popular for its powerful, commanding presence, this costume captures the essence of an ancient warrior. The look centers on a dark tunic, ornate bronze or gold body armor, a deep crimson cape, and classic battle armaments.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- ~45 min
- Budget
- $50–150
Try it on
See yourself as Ares
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 Ares costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Ares costume — one box instead of 7 pieces.
Dark tunic
A sleeveless black or dark gray knee-length tunic made of lightweight cotton or polyester.
DIY: Cut a crewneck opening and armholes into a large piece of folded dark gray fabric, securing it at the waist with a belt.
Warrior chest armor
A molded bronze, gold, or dark metallic breastplate with muscle detailing.
DIY: Paint a plastic costume breastplate with metallic bronze and black acrylic paint to create a weathered, battle-worn look.
Crimson cape
A long, flowing deep red or crimson cape that attaches at the shoulders of the armor.
DIY: Drape a length of crimson red fabric over your shoulders and secure it with safety pins or decorative brooches.
Spartan-style helmet
A bronze-colored warrior helmet featuring a prominent nose guard and a black or red hair crest.
Vambraces and greaves
Matching bronze or dark brown faux-leather arm guards and shin guards with strap closures.
DIY: Cut shapes out of brown craft foam, paint them metallic bronze, and attach elastic bands to secure them around your forearms and shins.
Toy sword and shield
A classic Greek-style short sword and a round bronze shield featuring battle scars or ancient motifs.
DIY: Cut a circular shield out of heavy cardboard, paint it metallic bronze with a central emblem, and duct-tape a handle to the back.
Gladiator sandals
Brown leather or faux-leather sandals with straps that wrap up the calf.
DIY: Wear simple brown sandals and wrap brown leather cords or laces up your calves.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Ares costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the dark gray or black sleeveless tunic as your base layer.
- 2
Secure the metallic breastplate over the tunic, adjusting the side straps for a snug fit.
- 3
Attach the crimson cape to the shoulders of the breastplate or pin it securely to the tunic.
- 4
Fasten the matching vambraces onto your forearms and the greaves onto your shins.
- 5
Lace up the gladiator sandals, wrapping the straps securely around your calves.
- 6
Equip yourself with the round bronze shield on one arm and hold the short sword in your dominant hand.
- 7
Place the crested Spartan helmet on your head to complete the battle-ready look.
Makeup & hair
Keep hair short and rugged, or tucked neatly under the helmet. Apply light brown or charcoal face paint to create realistic dirt and smudge marks on your cheeks and arms for a battle-tested appearance.
Ares for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair Ares with Aphrodite in a classic flowing white Greek gown and gold accessories.
- group
- Assemble a Greek Pantheon group with Zeus holding a lightning bolt, Athena in silver armor, and Poseidon with a trident.
- kids
- A simplified version featuring a soft fabric tunic, a lightweight foam chest plate, a red cape, and a plastic sword.
- Plus size
- Opt for an adjustable leather-strap harness or a flexible foam breastplate over a loose-fitting, comfortable tunic.
- pet
- A small red cape and a lightweight gold fabric collar designed to look like armor plates.
Tips
- Ensure the shin guards and sandals are comfortable, as wrapping straps too tightly can restrict circulation during long events.
- Use metallic wax or acrylic paint to add scuffs and scratches to plastic armor for a more realistic, battle-worn texture.
- If attending an indoor event, choose a lightweight plastic or foam helmet to avoid overheating.
- Pose with your shield held forward and your sword raised slightly to capture a dynamic, powerful stance in photos.
Ares costume FAQ
- What color cape should Ares wear?
- Ares is traditionally associated with blood and war, making a deep crimson or dark red cape the most accurate and visually striking choice.
- How do I make a DIY Ares shield?
- You can cut a large circle out of thick cardboard, spray paint it metallic bronze, and use black paint to add battle scars and a Greek key pattern around the rim.
- Is this costume comfortable for walking around?
- Yes, if you choose lightweight plastic or foam armor. Make sure your gladiator sandals are well-broken-in before wearing them for long periods.
Did you know? In ancient Greek art, Ares was often depicted either as a mature, bearded warrior in full hoplite armor or as a nude, youthfully athletic figure wearing only a helmet and carrying a spear.