Card Soldier Costume
Paint the roses red in this classic Alice in Wonderland look.
The Card Soldiers are the iconic, loyal guards of the Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland. This costume is a popular choice for group themes, Disney fans, and classic Halloween parties because of its bold, graphic look. The ensemble features a large playing card tunic, a red hood, matching gloves, and a spear prop.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~45 min
- Budget
- $20–60
Try it on
See yourself as Card Soldier
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What you need for a Card Soldier costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Card Soldier costume — one box instead of 5 pieces.
Playing card tunic
A white rectangular tabard or tunic printed with a playing card design, typically the Ace of Hearts or Ace of Clubs.
DIY: Cut two large rectangles of white foam board or white felt, paint a large playing card design on the front, and attach them with shoulder straps.
Red hooded sweatshirt or balaclava
A solid red hoodie or fabric hood worn underneath the card tunic to mimic the soldier's head covering.
DIY: Use a red hooded sweatshirt you already own and tuck the drawstrings inside.
Red pants or leggings
Form-fitting solid red pants, leggings, or tights to match the hood and sleeves.
DIY: Use any plain red sweatpants or dark black trousers as an alternative.
White gloves
Simple white cotton or spandex costume gloves.
Toy spear or halberd
A plastic guard spear, or a DIY staff topped with a heart-shaped blade.
DIY: Cut a large heart shape out of red cardboard and hot glue it to the end of a wooden dowel rod painted black.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Card Soldier costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the solid red pants or leggings.
- 2
Pull on the red hooded sweatshirt, pulling the hood up over your head so it frames your face tightly.
- 3
Slip the playing card tunic over your head, centering the card design on your chest and back.
- 4
Put on the white cotton gloves.
- 5
Carry the toy spear or DIY heart-tipped halberd in one hand to complete the guard look.
Makeup & hair
Keep makeup simple with a neutral face, or paint a small red heart on one cheek. Tuck all hair completely inside the red hood so it is not visible.
Card Soldier for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair up with the Queen of Hearts or Alice for a classic Wonderland duo.
- group
- Gather a group to form a full deck of Card Soldiers, each wearing a different card number or suit.
- kids
- Use a smaller white cardboard box painted like a playing card with armholes cut out for an easy kid-friendly version.
- Plus size
- Use an oversized white felt tabard draped over the shoulders with open sides for a comfortable, adjustable fit.
- pet
- A small white dog sweater painted with a red heart and club symbols makes an adorable companion guard.
Tips
- If using foam board for a DIY tunic, tape the inner edges with duct tape to prevent the board from snapping when you bend.
- Wear comfortable black or red sneakers, as you will likely be standing at attention or marching.
- For outdoor events in cold weather, layer thermal underwear beneath the red hoodie and leggings.
Card Soldier costume FAQ
- Which playing card suits are the soldiers in Alice in Wonderland?
- In the original book, the soldiers are the suit of Clubs, while the courtiers are Diamonds, royal children are Hearts, and guests are Spades. However, the Ace of Hearts is the most popular and recognizable version for costumes.
- How do I make a cheap DIY card soldier costume?
- You can make a budget-friendly tunic using a white pillowcase. Cut a hole for your head and arms, then use red and black fabric paint or felt cutouts to create the card face.
- Is this costume comfortable to sit down in?
- If your tunic is made of stiff cardboard, sitting can be difficult. For parties where you plan to sit, opt for a flexible felt or fabric tunic instead.
Did you know? In Lewis Carroll's original novel, the Card Soldiers are specifically the suit of Clubs because they represent the lowest class of the Queen's court, tasked with manual labor like painting the white roses red.