Carl Grimes Costume
Channel the ultimate post-apocalyptic survivor with Carl's signature sheriff hat look.
Carl Grimes from The Walking Dead is a fan-favorite character who grows from a quiet kid into a hardened survivor. This costume is highly recognizable, comfortable, and perfect for fans of the post-apocalyptic drama. The look centers around his iconic sheriff's hat, a plaid button-up shirt, and his signature medical bandage eyepatch.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~20 min
- Budget
- $30–80
Try it on
See yourself as Carl Grimes
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 Carl Grimes costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Carl Grimes costume — one box instead of 6 pieces.
Sheriff's Hat
A brown felt cowboy-style sheriff's hat with a gold star badge on the front and a black cord band.
DIY: Take a standard brown cowboy hat and pin a toy sheriff's badge to the front.
Plaid Button-Up Shirt
A long-sleeve, button-down plaid or flannel shirt, preferably in blue, gray, or red tones.
Dark T-Shirt
A simple, solid dark gray or navy blue crewneck t-shirt to wear underneath the unbuttoned plaid shirt.
Dark Jeans
A pair of straight-leg dark blue or black denim jeans, slightly distressed or dusty.
DIY: Use an old pair of dark jeans and rub a little real dirt or white chalk on them for a worn look.
White Medical Bandage
A roll of white gauze bandage wrapped around the right eye to simulate his late-season injury.
DIY: Wrap a strip of clean white cotton fabric around your head and secure it with medical tape.
Brown Boots
Sturdy brown leather hiking boots or cowboy boots, looking worn and dusty.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Carl Grimes costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the dark gray t-shirt and layer the plaid button-up shirt over it, leaving the plaid shirt completely unbuttoned.
- 2
Put on the dark jeans and tuck them slightly into the brown boots, or let them drape naturally over the boot tops.
- 3
Carefully wrap the white gauze bandage around your head, covering your right eye completely, and secure it at the back with medical tape.
- 4
Place the brown sheriff's hat on your head, tilting it slightly forward.
- 5
Optional: Add a toy prop revolver in a belt holster to complete the post-apocalyptic survivor aesthetic.
Makeup & hair
Keep your hair messy, slightly damp-looking, or unwashed to fit the survival theme. Use a brown makeup smudge or cosmetic dirt powder on your cheeks and forehead to look like you've been traveling through the wilderness.
Carl Grimes for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair up with Rick Grimes in a full sheriff's deputy uniform, or Michonne carrying a katana.
- group
- Assemble a group with Rick, Michonne, Daryl Dixon, and a few friends dressed as walkers.
- kids
- A perfect, comfortable costume for kids using a scaled-down cowboy hat, plaid shirt, and jeans.
- Plus size
- The layered plaid shirt and relaxed-fit jeans offer a comfortable, highly adjustable fit for all body types.
Tips
- Make sure the gauze bandage is wrapped loose enough to see comfortably out of your left eye, or skip the eyepatch if you need full peripheral vision.
- To get the authentic 'walker apocalypse' look, lightly dust your clothes with baby powder or real dirt before heading out.
- Keep a toy prop gun in its holster if you are attending an event with strict weapon policies.
Carl Grimes costume FAQ
- Which eye does Carl Grimes lose?
- Carl loses his right eye. When putting on the bandage, make sure it covers your right eye.
- What kind of hat does Carl wear?
- Carl wears Rick's original brown felt sheriff's hat, which features a gold star badge on the front crown.
- Is this costume comfortable for walking around?
- Yes, because it consists of regular clothing like jeans, a t-shirt, flannel, and boots, it is one of the most comfortable costumes to wear all night.
Did you know? The iconic sheriff's hat Carl wears originally belonged to his father, Rick Grimes, who gave it to Carl in Season 2 as a symbol of trust and survival.