What characters wear black and white stripes?

Classic characters include Beetlejuice (vertical stripes), vintage jail prisoners (horizontal stripes), mime artists, and certain pirate styles.

How do I turn a striped shirt into a mime costume?

Swap the prisoner hat for a black beret, add white face paint with black teardrop details, and wear white cotton gloves.

Can I make this look last-minute?

Yes, just wear any black and white striped shirt you own with black jeans, and carry a canvas bag with a giant dollar sign drawn on it to be a bank robber.

Black and White Striped Costumes: Ideas & Try Them On

Black and White Striped Costumes

Bold, classic, and incredibly easy to style for any Halloween event.

Black and white striped costumes are among the most versatile and recognizable choices for Halloween. Whether you want to channel a classic vintage prisoner, a silent mime, or a chaotic Beetlejuice, a striped base makes for an instant outfit. This guide helps you choose, style, and customize the perfect monochrome striped look.

Difficulty: Easy
Time: ~20 min
Budget: $15–60

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40 Black and White Striped costume ideas

Ranked by how many people are searching for them this season. Open any one for the full guide and to try it on.

What you need for a Black and White Striped Costumes costume

Black and white striped shirt
A long-sleeve or short-sleeve crewneck shirt with horizontal black and white stripes.
DIY: Use black fabric paint or electrical tape to create horizontal stripes on a plain white t-shirt.
Amazon
Black trousers or jeans
Simple, clean-cut black pants to anchor the striped top.
DIY: Use any plain black pants or leggings you already own.
Amazon
Prisoner pillbox hat
A small, round fabric hat with matching black and white stripes.
DIY: Glue striped fabric over a cardboard cylinder cut to size.
Amazon
Black canvas shoes
Simple black sneakers or slip-ons to keep the focus on the stripes.
DIY: Wear any plain black shoes or boots from your closet.
Amazon
Inmate number patch
A white rectangular patch with bold black numbers to pin to the chest.
DIY: Draw numbers on white cardstock with a black marker and safety-pin it to your shirt.
Amazon

How to put it together

1
Put on the black and white striped shirt as your base layer.
2
Pair the shirt with clean, solid black pants or jeans to create a stark contrast.
3
Place the striped prisoner pillbox hat flat on top of your head.
4
Attach the inmate number patch to the left side of your chest using safety pins.
5
Lace up your black canvas shoes to complete the classic vintage look.

Makeup & hair

Keep hair neat and tucked under the hat. For a prisoner look, add a light smudge of grey eyeshadow on the cheeks for a 'dusty' look, or go clean-faced for a classic cartoon style.

Black and White Striped Costumes for couples, groups, kids & more

couples: One person dresses as a striped prisoner and the other dresses as a classic police officer with a badge and handcuffs.
group: A whole crew of striped prisoners carrying a lightweight plastic ball-and-chain prop.
kids: A comfortable striped jumpsuit with a soft fabric matching cap.
Plus size: Opt for a relaxed-fit striped tunic or a vertical-striped suit jacket for a comfortable, flattering drape.
pet: A simple black and white striped dog bandana or lightweight tee.

Tips

Horizontal stripes draw the eye outward, while vertical stripes (like a Beetlejuice suit) elongate the frame; choose the direction that fits your vibe.
Keep accessories solid black or white to avoid clashing with the busy stripe pattern.
For outdoor events, layer a solid black long-sleeve shirt underneath your striped tee for warmth.

Black and White Striped Costumes costume FAQ

What characters wear black and white stripes?: Classic characters include Beetlejuice (vertical stripes), vintage jail prisoners (horizontal stripes), mime artists, and certain pirate styles.
How do I turn a striped shirt into a mime costume?: Swap the prisoner hat for a black beret, add white face paint with black teardrop details, and wear white cotton gloves.
Can I make this look last-minute?: Yes, just wear any black and white striped shirt you own with black jeans, and carry a canvas bag with a giant dollar sign drawn on it to be a bank robber.

Did you know? Historically, striped prisoner uniforms were introduced in 19th-century American prisons to make escaped convicts easily spotable in a crowd.