Bank Robber Costume
Pull off the ultimate style heist with this classic, easy look.
The classic bank robber is a timeless, instantly recognizable costume choice for Halloween or themed parties. Based on the vintage cartoon burglar archetype, this look is incredibly easy to assemble using everyday wardrobe basics. With a striped shirt, a dark eye mask, and a canvas money bag, you will look ready to make a quick getaway.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~15 min
- Budget
- $15–40
Try it on
See yourself as Bank Robber
One clear photo of yourself; we render you in this costume — face untouched, full body, about 20 seconds.
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What you need for a Bank Robber costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Bank Robber costume — one box instead of 6 pieces.
Black and White Striped Shirt
A long-sleeved, crewneck cotton shirt with horizontal black and white stripes.
DIY: Use a plain white long-sleeve shirt and draw horizontal stripes across it with a thick black fabric marker.
Black Pants
Simple black jeans, leggings, or chinos to keep the lower half of the outfit dark and stealthy.
DIY: Any dark-colored sweatpants or jeans from your closet will work perfectly.
Black Domino Eye Mask
A simple black felt or satin eye mask that ties behind the head to conceal your identity.
DIY: Cut an eye mask shape out of a piece of black felt or cardboard and attach an elastic band.
Black Beanie
A snug, knit black beanie hat worn low on the forehead.
DIY: Use any dark grey or black winter skull cap you already own.
Canvas Money Bag
A small beige or off-white canvas drawstring bag with a large green dollar sign ($) printed on the side.
DIY: Take a plain canvas tote or pillowcase, draw a large green dollar sign on it with a marker, and stuff it with paper.
Black Gloves
Lightweight black jersey or cotton gloves to complete the burglar look.
DIY: Skip the gloves or use dark winter gloves if you already have them.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Bank Robber 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, adjusting the eye holes for clear visibility.
- 5
Slip on the black cotton gloves.
- 6
Carry the canvas money bag in one hand, filling it with crumpled paper or lightweight items to give it a full, plump look.
Makeup & hair
Since most of your head is covered by the beanie and mask, keep makeup minimal. You can add a bit of dark eyeshadow around your eyes to blend in with the mask, or draw on a quick pencil mustache for a vintage villain vibe.
Bank Robber for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair up as a duo of bank robbers, or have one partner dress as a police officer or a bank vault security guard.
- group
- Form a heist crew with multiple robbers carrying bags marked with different currency symbols, led by one person in a sharp suit as the mastermind.
- kids
- A highly popular and comfortable choice for kids; pair a striped tee with a soft felt mask and a mini drawstring candy bag.
- Plus size
- This look is highly adjustable; use a comfortable, oversized striped tee or sweatshirt and stretchy black joggers.
- pet
- Put a miniature black-and-white striped tee on your dog and tie a tiny felt money bag to their collar.
Tips
- Stuff the money bag with bubble wrap or tissue paper so it looks full without being heavy to carry around all night.
- If you are attending an outdoor event, wear thermal layers underneath the striped shirt and black pants to stay warm.
- For a fun photo op, strike a classic 'sneaking' pose with bent knees, looking over your shoulder while clutching your money bag.
Bank Robber costume FAQ
- What does a classic bank robber wear?
- The classic pop-culture bank robber wears a black-and-white horizontally striped shirt, a black beanie, a black eye mask, black gloves, and carries a canvas sack with a dollar sign on it.
- How do you make a DIY bank robber money bag?
- You can easily make one by taking a plain canvas drawstring bag or pillowcase and drawing a large green or black dollar sign ($) on the front using a fabric marker or acrylic paint.
- Is the bank robber costume comfortable for walking around?
- Yes, it is one of the most comfortable costumes because it uses standard clothing like t-shirts, beanies, and sneakers, making it perfect for trick-or-treating or long parties.
Did you know? The iconic black-and-white striped outfit associated with burglars stems from 19th-century prison uniforms, which were designed with bold stripes to make escaped convicts easily identifiable in a crowd.