Cat Burglar Costume
Prowl the party in style with this clever, easy-to-make heist look.
The cat burglar costume is a clever, pun-based classic that combines a traditional bank robber aesthetic with feline features. It is a highly popular choice for Halloween because it is incredibly easy to assemble using everyday wardrobe basics. The signature look features a black-and-white striped top, a black eye mask, cat ears, and a classic canvas money bag.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~15 min
- Budget
- $15–40
Try it on
See yourself as Cat Burglar
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What you need for a Cat Burglar costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Cat Burglar costume — one box instead of 6 pieces.
Striped shirt
A long-sleeved black-and-white horizontally striped crewneck shirt.
DIY: Use a plain white long-sleeve shirt and draw black stripes with a fabric marker.
Black pants
Form-fitting black leggings, jeans, or trousers.
DIY: Use any fitted black pants or jeans from your closet.
Cat ears and tail set
A matching set featuring a black plush cat ear headband and a bendable black tail.
DIY: Cut ear shapes from black felt, glue them to a headband, and use a black knee sock stuffed with paper for a tail.
Black eye mask
A classic black felt or satin domino eye mask with an elastic band.
DIY: Cut a mask shape out of black felt or cardstock and tie it with a black ribbon.
Money bag prop
A small canvas or burlap drawstring bag with a large black dollar sign ($) printed or drawn on the front.
DIY: Draw a dollar sign on a plain canvas tote bag or pillowcase with a black marker.
Black gloves
Simple black knit or faux-leather gloves.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Cat Burglar costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the black-and-white striped shirt and pair it with your fitted black pants.
- 2
Secure the black cat tail to your waistband or belt loop using a safety pin or the attached clip.
- 3
Place the black cat ear headband securely on your head, adjusting your hair around it.
- 4
Slip on the black gloves and tie the black domino mask over your eyes.
- 5
Carry the canvas money bag prop in one hand, optionally stuffing it with tissue paper to make it look full.
Makeup & hair
Keep your hair simple, either down or tied back in a sleek ponytail to keep the focus on the cat ears. For makeup, draw a small black cat nose and whiskers using black liquid eyeliner, and finish with a bold red lip or a dark cat-eye wing.
Cat Burglar for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- One partner goes as the cat burglar, and the other dresses as a police officer or a security guard.
- group
- A crew of cat burglars carrying different 'stolen' items, or a full heist team with a safe cracker and a getaway driver.
- kids
- A cozy version using a black-and-white striped onesie, soft felt cat ears, and a small felt money pouch.
- Plus size
- A black-and-white striped tunic paired with comfortable high-rise black leggings and a flexible elastic belt.
- pet
- A black-and-white striped pet tee paired with a lightweight cat-ear headband.
More ways people search for this costume
The most-searched variations of “Cat Burglar costume”, and how this look adapts to each.
Cat burglar costume
- A black-and-white striped pet tee paired with a lightweight cat-ear headband.
Tips
- Fill the money bag with lightweight crumpled paper or bubble wrap so it looks heavy without weighing you down.
- If you plan to be outdoors in cool weather, layer a black long-sleeve thermal shirt under your striped top.
- For fun photo poses, crouch low in a 'sneaking' posture or pretend to peek around corners while clutching your money bag.
Cat Burglar costume FAQ
- What does a cat burglar costume consist of?
- It typically includes a black-and-white striped shirt, black pants, a black eye mask, a cat ear headband, a cat tail, and a canvas money bag prop with a dollar sign.
- How do I make a DIY money bag?
- Take a plain canvas drawstring bag or pillowcase, and use a thick black permanent marker or fabric paint to draw a large dollar sign ($) on the front.
- Is a cat burglar costume easy to make last-minute?
- Yes, it is one of the easiest last-minute costumes because you can use basic black clothing and quickly DIY the mask, ears, and money bag out of paper or felt.
Did you know? The term 'cat burglar' dates back to the early 20th century, coined to describe thieves who scaled walls and entered upper-story windows with the stealth and agility of a cat.