Elf Costume
Spread holiday cheer in a classic green and red festive elf outfit.
The Christmas elf is a beloved holiday staple, perfect for Christmas parties, community events, and festive Halloween looks. This cheerful costume features a vibrant green and red color palette, pointed accessories, and whimsical details. It is a highly recognizable, family-friendly option that brings instant joy to any gathering.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~20 min
- Budget
- $25–75
Try it on
See yourself as Elf
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What you need for a Elf costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Elf costume — one box instead of 7 pieces.
Green tunic or jacket
A bright green felt or velvet long-sleeve tunic, often featuring a jagged hemline and gold trim.
DIY: Use an oversized green t-shirt and cut a zig-zag pattern along the bottom hem and sleeves.
Red collar or scarf
A pointed red felt collar, sometimes adorned with small gold jingle bells at the tips.
DIY: Cut a starburst collar shape out of red felt and sew or glue small craft bells to the points.
Brown or black belt
A wide faux-leather belt with a large, prominent gold buckle to cinch the waist.
DIY: Use a standard dark belt and wrap the buckle in gold foil or yellow felt.
Red and green striped tights
Full-length stretchy tights or thigh-high socks with alternating red and green horizontal stripes.
DIY: Wear solid red leggings or tights instead.
Elf hat
A pointed green felt hat with a red folded brim and a white pom-pom or jingle bell at the tip.
DIY: Roll green felt into a cone, glue a strip of red felt around the base, and attach a cotton ball to the top.
Pointed elf shoes
Curved, pointed-toe shoe covers in red or green felt, often featuring jingle bells on the curled toes.
DIY: Wear solid red or green flats, or wrap existing shoes in colored felt secured with safety pins.
Prosthetic elf ears
Flesh-colored pointed latex ear tips that slip over your natural ears.
DIY: Skip the prosthetics and use your hair to frame your face, or cut small paper ears and tape them to a headband.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Elf costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the red and green striped tights or leggings first.
- 2
Pull the green tunic or jacket over your head, adjusting it so it sits evenly.
- 3
Fasten the wide black belt around your waist, positioning the gold buckle directly in the center.
- 4
Attach the red pointed collar around your neck over the tunic.
- 5
Slip the pointed latex elf ears over your natural ears, blending with makeup if desired.
- 6
Place the pointed elf hat on your head, tilting it slightly to one side for a playful look.
- 7
Slip the pointed shoe covers over your regular flat shoes or sneakers.
Makeup & hair
Keep makeup bright and cheerful with rosy pink cheeks, a touch of red lip balm, and optional light freckles drawn on the nose. Hair can be styled in cute pigtails, loose curls, or tucked neatly under the hat.
Elf for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair up as Santa Claus and his Chief Elf, or go as a matching pair of North Pole workshop elves.
- group
- Gather a group to dress as a full workshop of elves, each holding different toy props or tools.
- kids
- An adorable option using a simple green fleece onesie, striped socks, and a soft felt hat.
- Plus size
- Choose a loose-fitting, A-line tunic or a wrap-style green dress cinched with an adjustable wide elastic belt.
- pet
- A simple red and green collar with jingle bells and a lightweight elastic-strap elf hat.
More ways people search for this costume
The most-searched variations of “Elf costume”, and how this look adapts to each.
Elf costume diy
- Skip the store: Use an oversized green t-shirt and cut a zig-zag pattern along the bottom hem and sleeves. Cut a starburst collar shape out of red felt and sew or glue small craft bells to the points. Use a standard dark belt and wrap the buckle in gold foil or yellow felt.
Tips
- If your costume has metal jingle bells, test them while walking to ensure the jingling sound isn't too loud for your event.
- Wear comfortable, broken-in flat shoes underneath your felt shoe covers, especially if you will be standing or walking a lot.
- Keep warm at outdoor winter events by layering a thermal long-sleeve shirt under your tunic.
- For photos, hold a wrapped gift box, a giant candy cane, or a wooden toy prop to add character.
Elf costume FAQ
- What do Christmas elves wear?
- They typically wear green and red tunics, pointed hats with bells, striped stockings, wide belts, and pointed curled shoes.
- How can I make a quick DIY elf costume?
- Use an oversized green t-shirt, cut zig-zags along the bottom hem, tie it with a black belt, and wear striped socks with a red cone hat.
- Do I need special glue for the elf ears?
- While slip-on latex ears stay in place for casual wear, using a small amount of spirit gum adhesive will keep them secure all day.
Did you know? The modern image of Christmas elves working in Santa's workshop was popularized in the mid-19th century by American literature, including publications like Harper's Weekly.