Athena Costume
Embody the Greek goddess of wisdom and war with divine gold accents.
Athena is the ancient Greek goddess of wisdom, handicraft, and warfare. This costume is a popular choice for mythology enthusiasts and Halloween because it combines elegant, flowing drapery with powerful warrior elements. The look consists of a white Greek-style gown or chiton, gold armor pieces, a helmet or laurel wreath, and her signature shield and spear.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- ~45 min
- Budget
- $35–90
Try it on
See yourself as Athena
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What you need for a Athena costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Athena costume — one box instead of 6 pieces.
White Greek Chiton or Gown
A flowing, floor-length white dress, preferably made of chiffon or lightweight polyester, with a draped neck or one-shoulder cut.
DIY: Drape a white bedsheet or 4 yards of white fabric over your shoulder and secure it with gold safety pins and a belt.
Gold Leaf Laurel Wreath
A metallic gold headband featuring detailed leaf shapes to sit crown-like on the head.
DIY: Glue faux leaves painted metallic gold onto a plain plastic headband.
Gold Chestplate or Corset
A structured metallic gold corset, belt, or molded plastic chestplate to represent her warrior status.
DIY: Cut a chestplate shape from craft foam, paint it metallic gold, and tie it around your waist with gold ribbon.
Gold Arm Cuffs
Metallic gold spiral or band cuffs worn high on the biceps.
DIY: Wrap gold metallic pipe cleaners or painted cardboard tubes around your upper arms.
Toy Spear and Shield
A lightweight plastic spear and a round shield, preferably featuring an owl or Medusa's face (the Aegis).
DIY: Cut a circular shield out of cardboard, paint it gold with a black owl emblem, and use a wooden dowel painted silver and gold for the spear.
Gold Gladiator Sandals
Flat sandals with long gold straps that wrap up the calves.
DIY: Wrap gold ribbon or cord around your calves while wearing plain brown or gold flat sandals.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Athena costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the white flowing gown or draped fabric chiton.
- 2
Secure the waist with the gold corset belt or chestplate to create a structured silhouette.
- 3
Slide the gold arm cuffs onto your upper arms and adjust them so they stay in place.
- 4
Lace up the gold gladiator sandals, securing the straps firmly around your calves.
- 5
Place the gold leaf laurel wreath on your head, securing it with bobby pins if necessary.
- 6
Equip yourself by holding the spear in one hand and slipping the shield onto your other arm.
Makeup & hair
Style hair in loose, voluminous curls, half-up with braids, or a high braided ponytail. Keep makeup classic and glowing with warm bronzer, gold highlighter on the cheekbones, and a subtle gold shimmer on the eyelids.
Athena for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair with Percy Jackson, Zeus, or Ares for a powerful mythological duo.
- group
- Gather a group of Greek deities including Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, and Aphrodite for an Olympian pantheon.
- kids
- Use a simple white tunic, a gold ribbon belt, and a lightweight plastic gold tiara for a comfortable school project outfit.
- Plus size
- A high-waisted, empire-cut white maxi dress provides a comfortable, flowing fit that drapes beautifully over all body types.
- pet
- A small white fabric cape secured with a gold ribbon and a tiny gold felt wreath headband.
Tips
- Wear nude-colored undergarments beneath the white dress, as lightweight white fabrics can be sheer under bright lights.
- If carrying a spear and shield all night is too cumbersome, carry a small plush owl instead to represent Athena's sacred animal.
- For outdoor events in cool weather, layer a matching white or gold-trimmed cape over your shoulders.
Athena costume FAQ
- What are Athena's main symbols to include in a costume?
- Athena's primary symbols are the owl (representing wisdom), the olive branch, a spear, a round shield (the Aegis), and a warrior's helmet or laurel wreath.
- How can I make a DIY Athena costume from household items?
- You can drape a white bedsheet into a Greek chiton, tie it with gold rope or ribbon, and cut a shield out of cardboard painted gold.
- What kind of shoes should I wear with an Athena costume?
- Flat gold or tan gladiator sandals with straps that wrap up the calves are the most authentic and comfortable choice.
Did you know? In Greek mythology, Athena's shield, the Aegis, was said to bear the terrifying image of Medusa's face to strike fear into her enemies.