Banshee Costume
Channel the haunting wail of Irish folklore with a ghostly, tattered look.
The Banshee is a legendary female spirit from Irish folklore whose chilling wail heralds the coming of death. People choose this costume for its eerie, ethereal aesthetic and its deep roots in Celtic mythology. The look consists of flowing, tattered grey and white robes, ghostly pale makeup, and wild, wind-swept hair.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- ~45 min
- Budget
- $30–80
Try it on
See yourself as Banshee
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 Banshee costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Banshee costume — one box instead of 5 pieces.
Tattered grey or white dress
A long, flowing maxi dress with a high-low hemline or shredded layers to mimic a spectral form.
DIY: Shred the hem and sleeves of an old grey or white maxi dress or bedsheet.
Sheer white cape or shawl
A lightweight, translucent hooded cape or lace shawl that floats behind you as you move.
DIY: Drape a long piece of white cheesecloth or tulle over your shoulders and secure it with a safety pin.
Ghostly face paint kit
White and grey cream makeup to create a pale, sunken, and deathly complexion.
Dark grey or black eyeshadow
Matte powder eyeshadow to hollow out the eyes and contour the cheekbones for a skeletal look.
Long grey or white wig
A long, wavy wig in ash grey, silver, or stark white, styled to look wild and windblown.
DIY: Tease your natural hair and spray it heavily with temporary white hair color spray.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Banshee costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the base tattered grey or white dress, ensuring the shredded layers hang freely.
- 2
Drape the sheer white hooded cape or shawl over your shoulders, securing it at the collar.
- 3
Apply a thin layer of white cream makeup to your face, neck, and hands to create a pale, spectral base.
- 4
Use dark grey or black eyeshadow around your eyes, blending outward to create a hollow, sunken appearance.
- 5
Contour your cheekbones and collarbones with grey shadow to give yourself a gaunt, skeletal structure.
- 6
Put on the long grey or white wig, teasing the crown and sides to create a wild, wind-swept look.
- 7
Practice your best silent, open-mouthed wailing pose to bring the Irish spirit to life.
Makeup & hair
Apply a pale white foundation base with heavy grey and black shading around the eyes and hollows of the cheeks to look gaunt. Style your hair or wig to be wild, teased, and voluminous, as if caught in a spectral wind.
Banshee for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair with a Celtic warrior in a kilt or a Grim Reaper costume.
- group
- Gather a coven of different mythological Irish spirits like the Dullahan and Pooka.
- kids
- Use a simple white ghost poncho over warm clothes with light, kid-friendly pale face paint.
- Plus size
- A loose, flowing empire-waist grey maxi dress provides a comfortable and haunting silhouette.
- pet
- Dress your pet in a lightweight, sheer white dog cape.
Tips
- Use cheesecloth soaked in weak black tea to create realistic, aged, and dirty-looking tattered drapes.
- Wear comfortable grey or black flats, as your long dress will cover your feet.
- Set your face paint with a translucent setting powder to prevent smudging throughout the night.
- Carry a small misting bottle to keep your hair looking damp and graveyard-fresh if desired.
Banshee costume FAQ
- What color does a Banshee wear?
- In traditional folklore and modern interpretations, a Banshee wears flowing, tattered robes of grey, white, or faded green.
- How do I make a DIY Banshee costume?
- You can easily make one by shredding the hem of an old grey dress or bedsheet, draping cheesecloth over your shoulders, and applying pale face paint.
- Is a Banshee costume scary?
- It can be as scary or as ethereal as you like, depending on how dark and sunken you make your makeup and how tattered the robes are.
Did you know? In Irish folklore, the Banshee is not a malicious killer, but rather a mourning spirit who wails out of deep sorrow to warn families of an impending death.