Electrical Outlet Costume
A shockingly simple, high-energy costume perfect for couples or solo laughs.
The Electrical Outlet costume is a classic, lighthearted choice that is especially popular as half of a 'plug and socket' couples pair. Whether you build a structured foam tunic or customize a simple dress, this look is instantly recognizable. It relies on clean geometric shapes to mimic a standard wall receptacle.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~30 min
- Budget
- $15–50
Try it on
See yourself as Electrical Outlet
One clear photo of yourself; we render you in this costume — face untouched, full body, about 20 seconds.
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What you need for a Electrical Outlet costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Electrical Outlet costume — one box instead of 5 pieces.
White or gray foam board
A large, lightweight rectangular board to serve as the flat faceplate of the outlet.
DIY: Use a flattened cardboard box painted solid white or light gray.
Black felt sheets
Soft felt fabric used to cut out the socket holes and ground shapes.
DIY: Draw the socket shapes directly onto the board with a thick black permanent marker.
Black long-sleeve shirt
A solid black crewneck shirt to wear underneath the outlet faceplate.
DIY: Any plain black t-shirt or sweater from your closet.
Black leggings or pants
Simple, fitted black pants to keep the focus on the outlet design.
DIY: Use any dark jeans or black sweatpants you already own.
Webbing strap or ribbon
Heavy-duty black ribbon or utility straps to hang the foam board over your shoulders.
DIY: Use thick yarn or strips of black fabric hot-glued to the back of the board.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Electrical Outlet costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the solid black long-sleeve shirt and black pants as your base layer.
- 2
Cut your white foam board or cardboard into a large rectangle that covers your torso from chest to mid-thigh.
- 3
Cut out four arched semi-circles and two small round circles from the black felt to represent the plug slots and ground holes of two standard US outlets.
- 4
Arrange and hot-glue the felt pieces onto the white board in two identical vertical groupings to mimic a duplex wall outlet.
- 5
Draw a small silver or gray circle in the exact center of the board to represent the faceplate screw.
- 6
Attach two loops of black webbing strap to the top back corners of the foam board so you can wear it over your shoulders like a sandwich board.
Makeup & hair
Keep hair and makeup simple and clean. For a humorous twist, you can style your hair to look 'electrified' or static-y using strong-hold hairspray or gel.
Electrical Outlet for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair up with a partner wearing an electrical plug costume complete with two gold-pronged cords.
- group
- Have friends dress as other household utilities, like a light switch, a Wi-Fi router, or a USB port.
- kids
- Use a smaller cardboard box painted white with drawn-on outlet faces for an easy school-friendly outfit.
- Plus size
- A loose-fitting white tunic or t-shirt with felt outlet shapes glued on offers a comfortable, flexible fit.
- pet
- A small white felt sheet with drawn-on outlet holes can be attached to a dog's harness.
Tips
- If using a rigid foam board, make sure it is cut short enough so you can sit down comfortably at a party.
- Use lightweight craft foam instead of heavy cardboard if you plan on dancing or walking long distances.
- Keep the black felt pieces symmetrical by folding them in half before cutting.
Electrical Outlet costume FAQ
- How do you make a quick DIY electrical outlet costume?
- Glue black felt cutouts shaped like socket holes onto a plain white t-shirt or a piece of white poster board worn with shoulder straps.
- What is the best couples pairing for this costume?
- The classic pairing is an electrical plug costume, where one person is the outlet and the other wears a plug with two prongs.
- What should I wear underneath the outlet tunic?
- A solid black long-sleeve shirt and black leggings or pants work best to make the white outlet faceplate pop.
Did you know? The standard US electrical outlet design, officially known as the NEMA 5-15 receptacle, is often compared to a surprised face, which contributes to its popularity as a humorous costume.