Cowardly Lion Costume
Put on your courage medal and show off your roaring style.
The Cowardly Lion from the classic 1939 film The Wizard of Oz is a beloved character known for his search for courage, his curly mane, and his expressive personality. Dressing up as this iconic character is a fantastic choice for fans of classic cinema, offering a look that is instantly recognizable and full of charm. The costume centers around a plush tan jumpsuit, a voluminous faux-fur mane, and his signature 'Courage' medal.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- ~45 min
- Budget
- $40–120
Try it on
See yourself as Cowardly Lion
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.
Your photo is sent to Google's Gemini API to make the render and isn't used for training. Renders are AI-generated and labelled.
Want a different costume on this photo, or a whole group in costume? Open the Try-On Studio.
What you need for a Cowardly Lion costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Cowardly Lion costume — one box instead of 4 pieces.
Tan plush jumpsuit
A soft, full-body jumpsuit in a warm tan or light brown color, complete with an attached long tail featuring a tufted faux-fur tip.
DIY: Wear a matching tan sweatpants and sweatshirt set, and safety-pin a DIY felt tail to the back.
Faux-fur mane hood or wig
A voluminous, curly brown faux-fur hood or wig that frames the face and covers the shoulders to mimic a lion's mane.
DIY: Hot-glue strips of brown and orange yarn or faux-fur trim onto a tan hoodie.
Courage medal
A large, circular gold medal featuring a red ribbon and the word 'COURAGE' printed clearly across the front.
DIY: Cut a circle out of cardboard, paint it gold, write 'COURAGE' in black marker, and attach it to a wide red ribbon.
Lion paws and shoe covers
Matching tan mittens or hand covers and fabric shoe covers that look like lion paws.
DIY: Wear simple tan gloves and glue small brown felt triangles to the fingertips for claws.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Cowardly Lion costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Step into the tan plush jumpsuit and zip or button it up securely.
- 2
Put on the faux-fur mane hood or wig, adjusting it so it frames your face comfortably and covers your shoulders.
- 3
Pin the 'Courage' medal to the left side of the chest on your jumpsuit.
- 4
Put on the matching tan paw gloves and pull the shoe covers over your regular shoes.
- 5
Gently brush out the faux-fur mane to give it maximum volume and a slightly disheveled, cowardly look.
Makeup & hair
Use brown and white face paint to draw a black lion nose, paint your upper lip black, and add whiskers. If your natural hair is showing around the wig, tuck it under a wig cap or blend it into the faux fur with temporary brown hair color.
Cowardly Lion for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair up with Dorothy, the Scarecrow, or the Tin Man for a classic Wizard of Oz duo.
- group
- Form the ultimate Wizard of Oz group with Dorothy, Toto, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Wicked Witch.
- kids
- A cozy, one-piece fleece lion romper with an attached hood is perfect and warm for kids.
- Plus size
- Look for oversized, loose-fitting plush jumpsuits with elastic cuffs for a comfortable and flexible fit.
- pet
- A simple slip-on faux-fur lion's mane collar turns any golden-furred dog into a perfect mini Cowardly Lion.
Tips
- Keep the face paint around your mouth minimal if you plan on eating or drinking at a party.
- If the venue is warm, opt for a lightweight fabric jumpsuit instead of heavy fleece to avoid overheating.
- Practice holding your tail and looking nervously around for great, in-character photo poses.
Cowardly Lion costume FAQ
- What does the Cowardly Lion's medal say?
- The medal given to him by the Wizard says 'COURAGE' in bold letters, hanging from a red ribbon.
- How do I make a DIY Cowardly Lion mane?
- You can loop and tie strips of brown, tan, and orange yarn onto a mesh wig cap or a brown headband to create a full, curly mane.
- Is the Cowardly Lion costume comfortable for walking around?
- Yes, most commercial jumpsuits are made of soft, flexible materials, but make sure your shoe covers fit securely so you don't trip.
Did you know? In the classic 1939 film, the original costume worn by actor Bert Lahr was made from real lion pelts, making it incredibly heavy and hot to wear under studio lights.