How do I get the embroidery look on a budget?

You can buy black and silver iron-on lace appliques and apply them directly to a plain white suit, or draw the designs freehand using metallic fabric markers.

What kind of guitar does Ernesto de la Cruz use?

He plays a white classical guitar featuring a skull-shaped headstock, gold tuning pegs, and a black-and-gold soundhole design.

Is the face paint necessary for this costume?

Yes, because Ernesto is in his Land of the Dead skeleton form for the majority of the film, the sugar skull face paint is key to making the character instantly recognizable.

AI-generated example

Ernesto de la Cruz Costume

Seize your moment in this spectacular white mariachi skeleton look.

Ernesto de la Cruz is the charismatic, fame-hungry antagonist of Disney-Pixar's 'Coco'. Known for his show-stopping performances in the Land of the Dead, his look is defined by a dazzling, bone-white mariachi suit and striking skeleton face paint. This costume is a favorite for fans of the movie who want a theatrical, musically inspired Halloween outfit.

Difficulty: Advanced
Time: ~90 min
Budget: $60–150

See yourself as Ernesto de la Cruz →What you need Buy the Ernesto de la Cruz costume

Try it on

See yourself as Ernesto de la Cruz

One clear photo of yourself; we render you in this costume — face untouched, full body, about 20 seconds.

Choose or drop a photo of yourselfJPG · PNG · HEIC

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.

Ernesto de la Cruz costume — Example look · AI-generated

You as Ernesto de la Cruz

Result

What you need for a Ernesto de la Cruz costume

Short on time? Buy it ready-made

Spirit Halloween sells the complete Ernesto de la Cruz costume — one box instead of 6 pieces.

Shop Ernesto de la Cruz at Spirit ↗

White Mariachi Jacket
A cropped white bolero jacket decorated with intricate black and silver floral or skull embroidery along the lapels and sleeves.
DIY: Use a cropped white blazer and draw the black and silver patterns using fabric markers or puffy paint.
Amazon
White Mariachi Pants
Matching white fitted trousers featuring black and silver embroidered trim running down the outer seams of both legs.
DIY: Take white dress pants and glue black lace trim or silver ribbon down the outer side seams.
Amazon
White Sombrero
A wide-brimmed white Mexican sombrero hat adorned with matching black and silver patterns and a braided chin cord.
DIY: Paint a straw sombrero white and add black felt cutouts or silver glitter paint to the brim.
Amazon
Satin Neck Scarf
A wide, glossy red or dark purple satin bow tie or neck scarf tied loosely under the collar.
DIY: Cut a strip of red satin fabric and tie it into a large, floppy bow.
Amazon
Skeleton Gloves
Black full-finger gloves printed with white hand bone skeletal graphics.
DIY: Use white fabric paint to paint hand bone structures onto plain black cotton gloves.
Amazon
White Boots
Clean, polished white dress boots or chelsea boots with a slight heel.
DIY: Wear plain white dress shoes or cover black boots with white boot covers.
Amazon

Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Ernesto de la Cruz costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗

How to put it together

1
Put on a high-collared white dress shirt and tuck it into the white mariachi pants.
2
Tie the red or dark purple satin neck scarf around your collar, shaping it into a wide, prominent bow.
3
Put on the embroidered white mariachi bolero jacket over the shirt.
4
Pull on the black and white skeleton gloves, ensuring they fit snugly over your fingers.
5
Step into the polished white boots and secure your pants over the boot tops.
6
Carefully apply the black and white sugar skull face makeup, leaving room around the eyes.
7
Place the large white embroidered sombrero on your head, adjusting the chin strap to secure it.

Makeup & hair

Apply a full face of white makeup as a base. Use black face paint to darken the eye sockets, draw a skeletal nose cavity, and paint black vertical lines over your lips to create a stylized sugar skull grin with elegant swirls on the forehead and cheeks.

Ernesto de la Cruz for couples, groups, kids & more

couples: Pair up with Hector Rivera in his tattered suspenders and straw hat, or Miguel in his red hoodie and skeleton makeup.
group: Form a Coco group with Miguel, Hector, Imelda, and Pepita.
kids: A miniature white mariachi suit with simplified face paint or a comfortable printed jumpsuit.
Plus size: A white button-down shirt paired with a white vest and matching trousers decorated with fabric paint offers a comfortable, custom-fit alternative to a structured bolero jacket.
pet: A small white dog poncho and a tiny foam sombrero.

Tips

Set your white face paint with a translucent setting powder to prevent it from smudging onto your white collar.
Carry a toy classical guitar painted white with gold skull details to complete the legendary musician persona.
Ensure your pants have a flexible waistband, as mariachi trousers can be quite fitted.
If wearing the heavy sombrero indoors, use bobby pins or the chin strap to keep it balanced.

Ernesto de la Cruz costume FAQ

How do I get the embroidery look on a budget?: You can buy black and silver iron-on lace appliques and apply them directly to a plain white suit, or draw the designs freehand using metallic fabric markers.
What kind of guitar does Ernesto de la Cruz use?: He plays a white classical guitar featuring a skull-shaped headstock, gold tuning pegs, and a black-and-gold soundhole design.
Is the face paint necessary for this costume?: Yes, because Ernesto is in his Land of the Dead skeleton form for the majority of the film, the sugar skull face paint is key to making the character instantly recognizable.

Did you know? Ernesto de la Cruz's design and singing style were heavily inspired by real-life Mexican golden age cinema icons and ranchera singers Jorge Negrete and Pedro Infante.