Cockroach Costume
The ultimate indestructible party guest—creepy, funny, and unforgettable.
The cockroach costume is a classic choice for anyone wanting a mix of humor and mild horror. Perfect for Halloween or themed parties, this look relies on a brown, segmented body shape, multiple legs, and signature long antennae. It is a guaranteed conversation starter that is surprisingly easy to wear.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~20 min
- Budget
- $25–65
Try it on
See yourself as Cockroach
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 Cockroach costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Cockroach costume — one box instead of 5 pieces.
Brown hooded jumpsuit or tunic
A dark brown, lightweight polyester jumpsuit or sleeveless tunic that forms the main body of the insect.
DIY: Use an oversized brown hooded sweatshirt and cut the sleeves off if making a tunic.
Faux insect wings
Long, shiny brown fabric wings attached to the back of the tunic or jumpsuit.
DIY: Cut wing shapes out of brown translucent cellophane or fabric and safety pin them to your back.
Insect legs
Six stuffed brown fabric legs attached to the sides of the jumpsuit, often connected by clear strings to move with your arms.
DIY: Stuff brown knee-high socks with paper towels or fiberfill and sew or pin them to the sides of your shirt.
Antennae headband
Two long, flexible brown pipe cleaners or fabric-covered wires attached to a headband or the hood.
DIY: Twist long brown pipe cleaners around a plain black plastic headband and bend them slightly at the tips.
Brown or black undergarments
A long-sleeve black or dark brown shirt and matching leggings or pants to wear underneath the tunic.
DIY: Use any dark-colored sweatpants and long-sleeve shirt you already own.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Cockroach costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on your base layer of dark brown or black long-sleeve shirt and matching pants.
- 2
Slip on the main brown cockroach tunic or jumpsuit, pulling it down comfortably.
- 3
If using a separate hood, pull it over your head; otherwise, secure the jumpsuit hood.
- 4
Attach the insect legs to the sides of your torso if they are not already built into the costume.
- 5
Fasten the wings to the back of your shoulders using the attached elastic straps or safety pins.
- 6
Place the antennae headband on your head, adjusting the wires so they stand upright and bounce when you move.
Makeup & hair
Keep hair simple by slicking it back or hiding it completely under the costume hood. For makeup, you can apply dark brown face paint around your eyes or draw small insect-like mandibles near your mouth for a creepier effect.
Cockroach for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair up as a Cockroach and an Exterminator holding a giant fake spray can.
- group
- Create an infestation group with multiple people in cockroach suits, led by one person dressed as a giant can of bug spray.
- kids
- A plush, padded brown tunic with soft fabric legs and a hood with felt antennae.
- Plus size
- A loose-fitting, oversized brown poncho-style insect tunic offers a comfortable, flexible fit.
- pet
- A lightweight brown harness with soft felt legs and small antennae attached to the collar.
Tips
- The extra insect legs can snag on doorways, so tuck them close to your body when navigating tight spaces.
- Wear comfortable sneakers, as this funny costume is built for mingling and walking around.
- If you are attending an outdoor event, the loose jumpsuit design easily fits over warm layers.
- For funny photos, practice lying on your back and wiggling your legs in the air.
Cockroach costume FAQ
- What do you wear under a cockroach costume?
- It is best to wear a simple black or dark brown long-sleeve shirt and matching leggings or pants to blend in with the insect body.
- How do you make DIY cockroach legs?
- You can stuff brown socks or tights with newspaper, fiberfill, or bubble wrap, then sew or safety pin three legs to each side of a brown shirt.
- Is the cockroach costume comfortable to wear?
- Yes, most commercial versions are lightweight, sleeveless tunics worn over your own clothes, making them very breathable and easy to move in.
Did you know? Cockroaches have been on Earth for over 300 million years, meaning they predated the dinosaurs and survived the extinction events that wiped them out.