Father Time Costume
Embody the personification of time itself with this classic, mythical look.
Father Time is the legendary personification of time, history, and the seasons. Perfect for Halloween, New Year's Eve, or mythological group themes, this costume is instantly recognizable. The classic look consists of a flowing ancient robe, a long white beard, and timekeeping props like an hourglass.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~30 min
- Budget
- $35–90
Try it on
See yourself as Father Time
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What you need for a Father Time costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Father Time costume — one box instead of 6 pieces.
Flowing Robe or Toga
A long, loose-fitting hooded robe or toga in grey, white, or dark brown to evoke an ancient, timeless aesthetic.
DIY: Drape a large grey or white bedsheet around your body like a classic Roman toga and secure it with safety pins.
Long White Wig and Beard Set
A matching set featuring long, flowing white or silver-grey hair and a full, long beard to look ancient.
DIY: Use white hair-color spray on your natural hair and beard if they are already long.
Rope Belt
A simple, thick white or natural jute rope tied around the waist to cinch the robe.
DIY: Cut a length of clothesline rope or thick twine from a hardware store.
Toy Scythe
A lightweight plastic prop scythe representing the harvest and the passage of time.
DIY: Cut a curved blade shape from cardboard, paint it silver, and duct-tape it to a long wooden broom handle.
Hourglass Prop
A vintage-style sand timer to carry in your hand or hang from your rope belt.
DIY: Glue two small plastic soda bottles neck-to-neck with fine sand inside, wrapping the joint in twine.
Ancient Sandals
Simple brown or black leather strappy sandals to complete the ancient look.
DIY: Wear basic brown leather flip-flops or slip-on sandals.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Father Time costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on your base clothing, such as lightweight neutral pants and a t-shirt, to stay comfortable under the robe.
- 2
Slip on the long grey or white hooded robe, ensuring it drapes evenly to your ankles.
- 3
Tie the thick rope belt snugly around your waist, letting the excess rope hang down the front.
- 4
Carefully fit the long white wig onto your head, then secure the elastic band of the long white beard around your ears, blending the two together.
- 5
Put on your brown strappy sandals.
- 6
Carry the toy scythe in one hand and hold the hourglass prop in the other, or tuck the hourglass securely into your rope belt.
Makeup & hair
No complex makeup is needed. If your natural eyebrows are dark, brush a little white face paint or white mascara through them to match the silver-white wig and beard.
Father Time for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair up with Mother Nature, who wears a green dress adorned with faux leaves, flowers, and butterflies.
- group
- Form a 'Passage of Time' group with Baby New Year (wearing a sash and top hat) and the Grim Reaper.
- kids
- Use a child-sized grey wizard robe, a shorter white beard, and a soft felt or cardboard hourglass prop for safety.
- Plus size
- A loose, open-sided Greek-style toga draped from a king-size flat sheet offers an adjustable, comfortable fit for any body type.
- pet
- Dress a calm pet in a mini grey cape and a tiny felt clock collar.
Tips
- If your robe is too long, use fabric tape or safety pins to hem it so you do not trip while walking.
- Keep the plastic scythe lightweight so it is easy to carry around all night at a party.
- For photos, hold the hourglass up to your eye level as if watching the sand slip away.
- If wearing the costume outdoors in cold weather, wear warm thermal layers underneath the loose robe.
Father Time costume FAQ
- What does Father Time traditionally carry?
- Father Time is traditionally depicted carrying an hourglass to represent the passage of time and a scythe, which symbolizes the harvest of life and the inevitability of change.
- How do you make a quick DIY Father Time costume?
- You can easily make one by draping a grey or white bedsheet as a toga, tying it with a rope, wearing a cheap wizard wig and beard set, and carrying a printed clock face glued to cardboard.
- Is Father Time the same as the Grim Reaper?
- While they share similar imagery like the scythe and robes, Father Time represents the flow of history and aging, whereas the Grim Reaper specifically represents death. Father Time is usually depicted as more benevolent.
Did you know? The modern depiction of Father Time is a blend of several ancient figures, including the Greek titan Cronus (associated with harvest and agriculture) and Chronos (the personification of time).