French Kiss Costume
A rockin' pun costume combining Parisian style and classic glam metal.
The French KISS costume is a clever, crowd-pleasing pun that merges stereotypical French fashion with the iconic face paint of the rock band KISS. Perfect for parties, this look is incredibly easy to put together using basic wardrobe staples and a little face paint. It is a fun, budget-friendly choice that is guaranteed to get laughs and spark conversations.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~30 min
- Budget
- $20–50
Try it on
See yourself as French Kiss
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.
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Want a different costume on this photo, or a whole group in costume? Open the Try-On Studio.
What you need for a French Kiss costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete French Kiss costume — one box instead of 6 pieces.
Striped Shirt
A classic black and white horizontally striped long-sleeve shirt.
DIY: Use a plain white long-sleeve shirt and draw horizontal black stripes with a fabric marker.
Beret
A wool or felt French beret in solid red or black.
Neck Scarf
A small red satin or cotton neck scarf tied in a side knot.
DIY: Cut a square of red fabric or use a red bandana folded diagonally.
Face Paint Kit
White and black cream face paint to recreate the iconic KISS band makeup.
Baguette Prop
A fake plastic baguette or a real loaf of French bread wrapped in paper.
DIY: Buy a cheap, real baguette from the grocery store bakery on the day of your event.
Suspenders
Adjustable black clip-on suspenders to complete the classic mime-inspired look.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made French Kiss costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the black and white striped shirt and pair it with black pants or jeans.
- 2
Clip the black suspenders onto your pants and adjust them for a comfortable fit.
- 3
Fold the red neck scarf into a band, wrap it around your neck, and tie it in a double knot to the side.
- 4
Apply a solid white base of face paint to your entire face, leaving the eye area clear.
- 5
Use black face paint to draw a large star over your right eye (Starchild style) or bat wings over both eyes (Demon style).
- 6
Place the red or black beret on your head, tilting it slightly to one side.
- 7
Carry a real or fake baguette under your arm to complete the French pun.
Makeup & hair
Apply a full face of white cream makeup, then paint a sharp black star over one eye or a bat-wing design over both. Keep hair tucked neatly under the beret or styled in messy, rock-and-roll volume.
French Kiss for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- One person dresses as a French mime/artist, and the other dresses as a member of the band KISS.
- group
- A full four-piece band where everyone wears striped shirts and berets, but each person has a different KISS member's face paint.
- kids
- A simplified version with a striped tee, red scarf, and a quick star sticker on the cheek instead of full face paint.
- Plus size
- Opt for a comfortable, stretchy striped knit top and high-waisted black trousers or leggings.
- pet
- A striped pet tee with a tiny red collar scarf and a miniature felt beret.
Tips
- Set your white face paint with translucent powder so it doesn't smudge onto your striped shirt.
- If using a real baguette, buy it the day of the event so it stays firm and doesn't crumble.
- Wear comfortable black sneakers or boots, as you'll likely be walking around explaining the pun.
French Kiss costume FAQ
- What is a French KISS costume?
- It is a pun costume that combines stereotypical French items (like a striped shirt, beret, and baguette) with the iconic black-and-white face paint of the rock band KISS.
- Which KISS makeup design is easiest to do?
- Paul Stanley's 'Starchild' makeup (a single black star over the right eye with red lipstick) is the easiest and fastest to paint.
- Can I use a real baguette?
- Yes, a real baguette is cheap and highly effective, but a foam or plastic prop is more durable if you plan to dance or attend a crowded party.
Did you know? This costume is a favorite among pun lovers because it hilariously contrasts the romantic, gentle stereotype of Parisian culture with the loud, pyrotechnic energy of 1970s arena rock.