Cop and Robber Costume
Law and disorder meet in this classic, easy-to-style couples costume.
The Cop and Robber costume is one of the most popular couples and duo themes of all time, representing the ultimate game of cat and mouse. This classic pairing features one partner in a sleek police uniform and the other in a vintage-style striped convict outfit. It is highly recognizable, comfortable to wear, and incredibly easy to customize or DIY.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~30 min
- Budget
- $30–90
Try it on
See yourself as Cop and Robber
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What you need for a Cop and Robber costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Cop and Robber costume — one box instead of 6 pieces.
Navy blue police shirt
A button-down short-sleeve navy blue utility shirt, ideally with chest pockets and shoulder epaulets.
DIY: Use a plain navy blue button-down shirt and pin toy police badges to the chest and shoulders.
Police officer hat and badge
A classic navy blue peaked police cap with a silver badge emblem on the front.
DIY: Print a police badge template on cardstock, cover it in silver foil, and pin it to a dark baseball cap.
Toy handcuffs and utility belt
A black faux-leather belt equipped with silver toy handcuffs, a toy walkie-talkie, and a holster.
DIY: Thread a standard black belt through a pair of cheap plastic toy handcuffs.
Black and white striped shirt
A long-sleeve or short-sleeve shirt featuring horizontal black and white stripes.
DIY: Use fabric paint or black duct tape to create horizontal stripes on a plain white long-sleeve shirt.
Black bandit eye mask
A simple black felt or fabric domino eye mask that ties or straps around the head.
DIY: Cut a classic domino mask shape out of black felt or cardstock and attach an elastic band.
Canvas money bag
A small canvas or burlap drawstring bag with a large black dollar sign ($) printed on the front.
DIY: Draw a large black dollar sign with a permanent marker onto a plain canvas drawstring bag or pillowcase.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Cop and Robber costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Assemble the Cop look by putting on the navy blue utility shirt paired with dark blue or black pants.
- 2
Secure the utility belt around the waist, clipping on the toy handcuffs, badge, and walkie-talkie props.
- 3
Place the police officer hat firmly on the head to complete the officer's uniform.
- 4
Assemble the Robber look by putting on the black and white striped shirt paired with black pants or jeans.
- 5
Tie the black bandit eye mask over the eyes, ensuring it sits comfortably on the bridge of the nose.
- 6
Carry the canvas money bag prop, filling it with crumpled paper or lightweight items to give it a full appearance.
Makeup & hair
Keep makeup clean and natural for both looks. The police officer can style their hair neatly or tucked under the cap, while the robber can wear a black beanie over messy hair for a classic burglar aesthetic.
Cop and Robber for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- One person dresses as the police officer with handcuffs, while the other wears the striped shirt, mask, and carries the money bag.
- group
- Add more members as a SWAT team officer, a prison guard, and multiple convicts in orange jumpsuits or striped uniforms.
- kids
- A cute toddler-sized police officer jumpsuit paired with a sibling in a striped tee carrying a mini felt money bag.
- Plus size
- Both looks are highly adjustable; use loose-fitting navy blue button-downs and stretchy striped knit shirts for maximum comfort.
- pet
- A small dog can wear a striped knit sweater with a tiny felt money bag attached to their harness.
Tips
- Keep toy weapons realistic-looking at home; stick to bright plastic toy handcuffs and walkie-talkies for public safety.
- Fill the robber's money bag with lightweight tissue paper or newspaper so it looks heavy without weighing you down all night.
- Wear comfortable black sneakers or boots, as both of these costumes require a lot of walking if you are trick-or-treating or mingling.
Cop and Robber costume FAQ
- Is it illegal to wear a police costume for Halloween?
- It is generally legal to wear a novelty police costume for Halloween, but it is illegal to impersonate a real police officer, use official local police patches, or attempt to exercise law enforcement authority.
- What does a classic robber costume need?
- A classic robber costume needs a black and white striped shirt, a black knit beanie, a black eye mask, and a canvas bag with a dollar sign printed on it.
- How can I make a DIY money bag?
- You can easily make a DIY money bag by using a black permanent marker or fabric paint to draw a large dollar sign ($) on a plain canvas tote bag or a white pillowcase.
Did you know? The classic black-and-white striped prison uniform was first introduced in the United States in the 19th century to make escaping prisoners immediately recognizable to the public.