Call of Duty Costume
Bring the legendary tactical operator to life with authentic combat gear.
Call of Duty costumes, particularly the iconic Simon 'Ghost' Riley, are a massive hit for gamers and cosplayers who love tactical military gear. This look combines rugged combat apparel with a signature skull balaclava for an instantly recognizable, intimidating silhouette. Whether for Halloween or a gaming convention, assembling this outfit is all about layering realistic tactical pieces.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- ~30 min
- Budget
- $60–150
Try it on
See yourself as Call of Duty
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 Call of Duty costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Call of Duty costume — one box instead of 7 pieces.
Skull Balaclava
A black fabric balaclava featuring a realistic white skull face print over the mouth and nose.
DIY: Use fabric paint to paint a white skull jaw design onto a plain black balaclava.
Tactical Vest
An adjustable black or olive drab military-style utility vest with multiple chest pouches.
Combat Shirt
A dark grey or black long-sleeve tactical combat shirt, or a fitted zip-up hoodie.
DIY: Use a plain dark grey long-sleeve athletic shirt or fitted hoodie.
Cargo Pants
Durable tactical cargo pants in black, olive drab, or digital camouflage.
DIY: Use any dark grey or black utility cargo pants you already own.
Skeleton Gloves
Black combat or utility gloves with white skeleton bone prints on the back of the hands.
DIY: Paint bone shapes onto plain black utility gloves using a white fabric marker.
Tactical Headset
A dummy military headset with an over-ear band and a flexible boom microphone.
DIY: Use an old pair of over-ear gaming headphones with the cord tucked away.
Combat Boots
Sturdy black or dark brown lace-up military combat boots.
DIY: Use any heavy-duty black work boots or hiking boots.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Call of Duty costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the dark tactical combat shirt and the matching cargo pants.
- 2
Lace up your combat boots tightly, tucking the cuffs of your pants into the tops of the boots.
- 3
Slip on the tactical utility vest and adjust the side straps for a snug, secure fit.
- 4
Pull the skull balaclava over your head, aligning the eye holes and the printed skull face.
- 5
Position the tactical headset over your ears and adjust the boom microphone to sit near your mouth.
- 6
Put on the skeleton-print combat gloves to complete the operator look.
Makeup & hair
Since your head is fully covered by the balaclava and headset, hair styling is unnecessary. Apply dark grey or black face paint around your eyes before putting on the mask to blend your skin into the eye cutouts.
Call of Duty for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair Ghost with another operator like Captain Price, featuring a boonie hat, tactical vest, and fake mustache.
- group
- Assemble a full Task Force 141 squad with friends dressed as Soap, Price, and Gaz.
- kids
- Use a pre-made kids' tactical costume jumpsuit paired with a child-safe plastic skull mask.
- Plus size
- Choose adjustable tactical vests with side webbing straps that can expand to fit larger frames comfortably.
- pet
- Dress your dog in a small black K9 tactical harness with patch details.
Tips
- Ensure your tactical vest is fully adjustable so you can layer it comfortably over a thick hoodie if it is cold outside.
- Check local event guidelines regarding prop gear; it is often best to skip toy weapons entirely and rely on the vest and mask.
- Apply dark eyeshadow around your eyes so your skin does not contrast sharply with the black fabric of the balaclava.
Call of Duty costume FAQ
- What is the most popular Call of Duty costume?
- Simon 'Ghost' Riley is by far the most popular, recognizable by his signature skull balaclava, tactical vest, and headset.
- How do I make a DIY Ghost mask?
- You can paint a white skull jaw design onto a plain black fabric balaclava using fabric paint or fabric markers.
- Is a Call of Duty costume warm?
- Yes, the layers of tactical shirts, cargo pants, and a balaclava make this an excellent choice for cold Halloween weather.
Did you know? Simon 'Ghost' Riley first appeared in 2009's Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and quickly became a fan favorite due to his mysterious persona and striking mask.