Costco Sample Worker Costume
Serve up some smiles with this hilarious, easy-to-make retail worker costume.
The Costco Sample Worker (or CDS product demonstrator) is a beloved retail icon known for handing out free bites to hungry shoppers. This costume is a crowd-pleasing, lighthearted choice for Halloween or themed parties. The signature look consists of a red apron, a hairnet, food safety gloves, and a tray of 'samples' to hand out.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~30 min
- Budget
- $15–40
Try it on
See yourself as Costco Sample Worker
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What you need for a Costco Sample Worker costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Costco Sample Worker costume — one box instead of 7 pieces.
Red Apron
A plain red waist or bib apron, ideally made of polyester or cotton canvas.
DIY: Cut a basic apron shape out of red felt or fabric and fabric-glue red ribbon straps to it.
White Hairnet or Bouffant Cap
A classic white elastic-band hairnet or disposable pleated bouffant cap.
DIY: Use a white shower cap or a sheer white hair wrap gathered with an elastic band.
Name Badge
A rectangular white name tag featuring a printed Costco logo and a custom name.
DIY: Draw the Costco logo on a piece of white cardstock, write your name in black marker, and safety-pin it to your apron.
White Collared Shirt
A clean, short-sleeved or long-sleeved white button-down shirt or polo.
DIY: Use any plain white t-shirt or polo shirt you already own.
Khaki Pants
Classic tan or khaki chinos or trousers to match standard retail dress codes.
DIY: Any tan, beige, or dark-colored casual pants will work.
Sample Tray with Small Cups
A lightweight plastic or aluminum tray filled with small paper soufflé cups.
DIY: Wrap a piece of sturdy cardboard in aluminum foil and glue small paper ketchup cups to the top.
Disposable Gloves
A pair of clear plastic or blue nitrile food-handling gloves.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Costco Sample Worker costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the white collared shirt and khaki pants as your base outfit.
- 2
Tie the red bib apron securely around your waist and neck.
- 3
Attach your custom Costco name badge to the upper left side of the red apron.
- 4
Tuck your hair completely inside the white hairnet or bouffant cap.
- 5
Put on the clear plastic food-handling gloves.
- 6
Arrange small paper cups on your serving tray, filling them with actual treats like bite-sized chocolates, cheese cubes, or crackers.
- 7
Carry the tray in front of you, offering 'samples' to everyone you meet.
Makeup & hair
Keep makeup minimal and natural-looking. Hair should be completely tucked away inside the white hairnet or bouffant cap to comply with food safety standards.
Costco Sample Worker for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- One person dresses as the sample worker, and the other dresses as an eager shopper holding a giant Costco cardboard box or oversized receipt.
- group
- A team of sample workers, each holding a tray with a different type of snack (e.g., pizza bites, cookies, or juice cups).
- kids
- A miniature version featuring a tiny red apron, a small hairnet, and a tray filled with real gummy bears.
- Plus size
- Use an extra-wide red utility apron with adjustable straps for a comfortable fit over a white polo.
- pet
- A small red bandana styled to look like an apron, paired with a tiny white chef hat.
Tips
- For a fun party trick, fill your sample cups with real, wrapped candies or snacks that guests can actually eat.
- Keep the tray lightweight; a heavy tray will make your arms tired after an hour of socializing.
- Wear comfortable sneakers, as this costume is best enjoyed while walking around 'serving' your guests.
Costco Sample Worker costume FAQ
- What does a Costco sample worker wear?
- They typically wear a white collared shirt, khaki pants, a red apron, a white hairnet, clear food-prep gloves, and a personalized name badge.
- How do I make a DIY Costco name tag?
- Print the red Costco logo onto white cardstock, write your name underneath in bold black marker, laminate it with clear tape, and attach a safety pin to the back.
- What should I put on my sample tray?
- Use small paper soufflé cups filled with easy-to-grab snacks like cheese cubes, pretzel sticks, animal crackers, or wrapped chocolates.
Did you know? The people who hand out samples at Costco are actually employed by a third-party marketing company called Club Demonstration Services (CDS), not Costco itself!