Bandit Costume
The ultimate quick, classic, and budget-friendly heist-ready look.
The classic bandit—or bank robber—is one of the most recognizable and easy-to-assemble costumes for Halloween. Perfect for last-minute invites, this look relies on a timeless black-and-white striped aesthetic paired with a classic eye mask and a bag of loot. It is a comfortable, fun, and universally understood outfit that works for all ages.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~15 min
- Budget
- $15–40
Try it on
See yourself as Bandit
One clear photo of yourself; we render you in this costume — face untouched, full body, about 20 seconds.
One render, $1. No account needed — if it fails you're not charged. Pricing.
Your photo is sent to Google's Gemini API to make the render and isn't used for training. Renders are AI-generated and labelled.
Want a different costume on this photo, or a whole group in costume? Open the Try-On Studio.
What you need for a Bandit costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Bandit costume — one box instead of 6 pieces.
Striped Shirt
A long-sleeved crewneck shirt with horizontal black and white stripes.
DIY: Use a plain white long-sleeve shirt and draw black horizontal stripes on it with a thick fabric marker.
Black Eye Mask
A simple black felt or fabric domino eye mask that ties or straps around the back of the head.
DIY: Cut an eye mask shape out of black felt or cardstock and attach an elastic band.
Canvas Money Bag
A small canvas or burlap drawstring bag with a large dollar sign ($) printed or drawn on the front.
DIY: Take a plain canvas tote bag or pillowcase, draw a large black '$' symbol on it with a permanent marker, and stuff it with tissue paper.
Black Pants
Fitted black jeans, leggings, or trousers.
DIY: Use any plain black pants or leggings already in your closet.
Black Beanie
A snug, knit black beanie or watch cap worn low on the forehead.
DIY: Any plain dark beanie or skull cap works perfectly.
Black Gloves
Simple black jersey or stretch gloves to complete the stealthy look.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Bandit costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the black pants and the black-and-white striped long-sleeve shirt.
- 2
Tuck the shirt in or leave it loose depending on your preferred fit.
- 3
Pull the black knit beanie over your head, covering your ears and sitting just above your eyebrows.
- 4
Tie the black domino eye mask securely over your eyes, ensuring the eye holes align comfortably.
- 5
Slip on the black gloves.
- 6
Carry the canvas money bag prop in one hand to complete the classic burglar aesthetic.
Makeup & hair
Keep hair tucked completely inside the black beanie. No complex makeup is required, but you can add a light layer of dark eyeshadow around the eyes so skin doesn't show brightly through the mask cutouts.
Bandit for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair up as a duo of 'Sticky Bandits' or have one partner dress as a police officer and the other as the bandit.
- group
- Form a whole heist crew with matching striped shirts, beanies, and numbered inmate plaques.
- kids
- An adorable, comfortable option using a striped onesie or tee, soft felt mask, and a small felt money bag.
- Plus size
- A relaxed-fit striped tee or sweater paired with comfortable black drawstring joggers offers an easy, flexible fit.
- pet
- A simple black-and-white striped pet tee paired with a lightweight felt collar shaped like a money bag.
Tips
- Stuff your canvas money bag with crumpled newspaper or tissue paper so it looks full without being heavy to carry.
- Make sure the eye holes on your mask are cut wide enough so your peripheral vision isn't blocked while walking in the dark.
- Wear comfortable black sneakers, as you will likely be on your feet all night 'on the run.'
Bandit costume FAQ
- What does a classic bandit wear?
- A classic bandit costume consists of a black-and-white horizontally striped shirt, black pants, a black beanie, a black eye mask, black gloves, and a canvas bag marked with a dollar sign.
- How do you make a DIY bandit money bag?
- You can easily make one by taking a plain canvas drawstring bag or pillowcase and drawing a large, bold dollar sign ($) on the front using a thick black permanent marker or fabric paint.
- Is the bandit costume comfortable for walking around?
- Yes, it is one of the most comfortable costumes because it uses standard everyday clothing like t-shirts, jeans, and beanies, making it perfect for cold weather and lots of walking.
Did you know? The classic black-and-white striped outfit associated with cartoon bandits originates from historical 19th-century prison uniforms, which were designed with bold stripes to make escaped inmates easily identifiable in a crowd.