Chel Costume
Channel the clever and stylish heroine of El Dorado with this look.
Chel from DreamWorks' animated classic *The Road to El Dorado* is a fan-favorite character known for her quick wit, charm, and vibrant Mesoamerican-inspired outfit. This costume is incredibly popular for its simple yet striking color-blocked design, making it both highly recognizable and easy to put together. The look consists of a cropped blue top, a white wrap skirt with a red sash, and bold gold jewelry.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~30 min
- Budget
- $25–60
Try it on
See yourself as Chel
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.
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Want a different costume on this photo, or a whole group in costume? Open the Try-On Studio.
What you need for a Chel costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Chel costume — one box instead of 5 pieces.
Blue crop top
A strapless blue tube top or crop top made of comfortable, stretchy cotton or spandex.
DIY: Cut the sleeves off an old blue t-shirt and hem it into a tube top.
White wrap skirt
A high-waisted white mini or midi wrap skirt with an asymmetrical hemline.
DIY: Wrap a length of white cotton fabric around your waist, pinning it securely at the hip.
Red waist sash
A wide red fabric sash or belt tied around the waist over the skirt.
DIY: Use a strip of red fabric or a wide red ribbon tied in a simple knot at the side.
Gold hoop earrings
Large, thick gold-colored hoop earrings to match her animated jewelry.
Gold arm cuffs
Thick gold bands worn on the upper arms.
DIY: Cut rings from a cardboard tube, paint them metallic gold, and slit the back to slip onto your arms.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Chel costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the blue strapless tube top, ensuring a snug and secure fit.
- 2
Wrap the white skirt around your waist, securing it so the open wrap portion sits slightly to one side.
- 3
Tie the red sash tightly around your waist, directly over the top band of the white skirt, letting the ends hang slightly.
- 4
Slide the gold arm cuffs onto your upper arms, positioning them symmetrically.
- 5
Put on the large gold hoop earrings.
- 6
Go barefoot to match Chel's movie-accurate look, or wear simple nude-colored sandals for outdoor comfort.
Makeup & hair
Style your hair in long, straight black locks with thick, blunt-cut bangs framing your face. Keep makeup natural with warm, sun-kissed skin tones, defined eyebrows, and a neutral lip color.
Chel for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair up with Tulio or Miguel in their red and blue Spanish shirts for a perfect Road to El Dorado duo.
- group
- Add Altivo the horse or Chief Tannabok to create a full El Dorado group dynamic.
- kids
- A comfortable version using a blue tank top and a white cotton skirt with built-in shorts.
- Plus size
- Opt for a high-waisted white A-line skirt and a supportive blue crop top for a comfortable, flattering fit.
Tips
- If you plan to walk around outdoors, wear simple nude flat sandals to protect your feet while keeping the barefoot illusion.
- Use fashion tape to keep the strapless tube top secure and prevent the wrap skirt from opening too far while walking.
- For cold weather, layer a nude-colored bodysuit underneath the crop top and skirt to stay warm without altering the silhouette.
Chel costume FAQ
- What does Chel wear in The Road to El Dorado?
- Chel wears a simple, vibrant outfit consisting of a strapless blue crop top, a white wrap-style skirt, a thick red waist sash, gold upper arm cuffs, and large gold hoop earrings.
- How do you style Chel's hair?
- Chel has long, straight, jet-black hair that falls past her shoulders, featuring thick, straight-across blunt bangs that cover her forehead.
- Is a Chel costume easy to DIY?
- Yes, it is one of the easiest costumes to DIY. You only need a blue tube top, a white skirt, and some red fabric for the sash, along with basic gold jewelry.
Did you know? The Road to El Dorado was originally planned as a much more serious, dramatic film before being reworked into the lighthearted, comedic buddy adventure we know today.