Garbage Bag Costume
Turn household utility items into a hilarious, budget-friendly masterpiece.
The classic DIY Garbage Bag costume is a legendary last-minute choice that is both hilarious and incredibly cheap to make. Typically constructed from a heavy-duty black or clear contractor bag, this look can be stuffed with colorful balloons to look like a bag of jelly beans, or decorated with clean recyclables to look like a literal bag of trash. It is lightweight, highly customizable, and guaranteed to get a laugh.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~20 min
- Budget
- $5–20
Try it on
See yourself as Garbage Bag
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 Garbage Bag costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Garbage Bag costume — one box instead of 5 pieces.
Heavy-duty contractor bag
A large 55-gallon black or clear plastic contractor bag to serve as the main body of the costume.
Colorful latex balloons
A pack of multi-colored balloons to inflate and use as lightweight stuffing.
DIY: Use clean, crumpled newspaper or packing paper instead.
Black base layer
A comfortable black long-sleeve shirt and black leggings or pants to wear underneath.
DIY: Any dark, comfortable solid-colored clothing from your closet.
Bright drawstring ribbon
A length of thick yellow or red ribbon to tie around the neck or shoulders to mimic a trash bag drawstring.
DIY: Use a yellow plastic rope or actual drawstring cut from another bag.
Clear packing tape
Strong adhesive tape to secure the bottom hem and any external decorations.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Garbage Bag costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on your black long-sleeve shirt and black leggings as a comfortable base layer.
- 2
Lay the heavy-duty contractor bag flat and carefully cut out a hole in the sealed bottom for your head, and two holes on the sides for your arms.
- 3
Step into the bag and pull it up over your torso, gently guiding your head and arms through the cutouts.
- 4
Inflate several colorful balloons and stuff them inside the bag around your torso to give the costume a plump, filled-out shape.
- 5
Loosely secure the bottom opening of the bag around your upper thighs using clear packing tape or a soft elastic band so the stuffing stays inside.
- 6
Tie a bright yellow ribbon loosely around your collar area to complete the classic drawstring trash bag look.
Makeup & hair
Keep your hair simple or messy to fit the aesthetic. For a funny touch, use dark eyeshadow or face paint to smudge realistic-looking 'dirt' marks on your cheeks and nose.
Garbage Bag for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- One person goes as a garbage bag, and the other wears a raccoon costume or goes as a sanitation worker.
- group
- A hilarious group theme featuring a garbage bag, a recycling bin, a compost bin, and a raccoon.
- kids
- Use a smaller kitchen-sized trash bag and fill it with colorful mini balloons for an adorable 'bag of jelly beans' look.
- Plus size
- Use a 55-gallon or larger commercial drum liner to ensure a comfortable, roomy fit over warm clothing.
- pet
- A small black fabric cape styled to look like a tiny trash bag with a drawstring collar.
Tips
- Cut the arm and neck holes larger than you think you need to ensure plenty of ventilation and prevent overheating.
- If you choose to tape clean recyclables (like empty plastic bottles or clean cardboard) to the outside, use lightweight items so they don't weigh the plastic down.
- Avoid using real organic trash or unwashed containers to prevent odors and sticky messes during your event.
Garbage Bag costume FAQ
- How do you make a garbage bag costume comfortable?
- Wear a breathable cotton base layer underneath, and cut generous arm and neck holes to prevent heat from getting trapped inside the plastic.
- What is the jelly bean variation of this costume?
- Use a large, clear plastic utility bag instead of a black one, fill it with multi-colored inflated balloons, and wear colorful clothing underneath.
- How do you keep the stuffing from falling out of the bottom?
- Wear a belt over the bag at your waist, or loosely secure the bottom hem around your thighs with soft elastic or duct tape.
Did you know? In 2023, a prankster successfully walked a high-fashion runway in a literal trash bag, proving that with enough confidence, a garbage bag can pass as haute couture.