Gaslight Costume
Be the brightest light in the room with this glowing lamp costume.
This guide focuses on the literal Victorian gaslight lamp post, a clever and illuminating archetype costume that plays on both vintage streetscapes and the famous modern slang term. The look features a sleek black 'iron post' base, a shoulder crossbar, and a glowing, wearable lantern headpiece. It is a brilliant choice for anyone looking to stand out with a unique, light-up DIY project.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- ~120 min
- Budget
- $30–75
Try it on
See yourself as Gaslight
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What you need for a Gaslight costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Gaslight costume — one box instead of 6 pieces.
Black square lantern frame
A lightweight wire basket or a DIY cardboard frame painted matte black to form the lantern housing.
DIY: Cut panels out of a cardboard box and paint them matte black to form a hollow cube.
Sheer yellow fabric or vellum paper
Translucent yellow or orange material to cover the lantern windows while allowing you to see out.
DIY: Use yellow tissue paper or yellow plastic folders cut to size.
Battery-operated LED fairy lights
Warm yellow or orange copper wire LED lights to create the glowing 'gas flame' effect.
Black turtleneck
A form-fitting, solid black long-sleeve shirt to represent the iron lamp post.
DIY: Use any solid black long-sleeve shirt you already own.
Black slim-fit pants
Solid black trousers or leggings to complete the seamless post look.
DIY: Any dark black pants or leggings work perfectly.
Foam dowel or cardboard tube
A lightweight tube painted black to serve as the horizontal ladder-rest crossbar.
DIY: Paint a cardboard wrapping paper tube matte black.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Gaslight costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the black turtleneck and black pants to establish the solid, dark 'iron post' base of the lamp.
- 2
Construct the lantern headpiece by securing the sheer yellow fabric or vellum to the inside of your black frame, leaving the bottom open so you can wear it.
- 3
Weave the battery-operated LED fairy lights inside the headpiece, securing the battery pack to the inner rim with tape or zip ties.
- 4
Cut your foam dowel or cardboard tube to about two feet wide, paint it matte black, and attach it horizontally across your upper back or shoulders using black elastic straps.
- 5
Create a small vintage-style street sign from cardboard reading 'GASLIGHT' in white lettering, and hang it from your shoulder crossbar.
- 6
Place the glowing lantern headpiece over your head, ensuring you can see through the sheer yellow panels, and switch on the lights.
Makeup & hair
Tuck all hair completely inside the lantern headpiece. If your face is partially visible, apply black face paint around your eyes to blend into the dark interior of the lantern.
Gaslight for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- One partner goes as the Gaslight lamp post, and the other dresses in Victorian-era attire as a Victorian pedestrian or a 'Gaslighter' carrying a giant match.
- group
- A row of street lamps accompanied by classic London fog or Victorian characters.
- kids
- A simplified version using a yellow beanie with a battery-powered tea light secured inside a clear plastic jar headpiece.
- Plus size
- Use a comfortable, loose-fitting black tunic or A-line dress as the sturdy base of the lamp post.
- pet
- A black dog sweater with a small, lightweight yellow LED safety light attached to the collar.
Tips
- Ensure the lantern headpiece has plenty of ventilation and eyeholes cut through the sheer yellow fabric so you can see clearly.
- Use cool-to-the-touch LED lights to prevent the headpiece from getting warm during wear.
- Carry extra AA or AAA batteries in your pocket so your gaslight doesn't burn out mid-party.
Gaslight costume FAQ
- How do you make the lantern headpiece?
- Construct a lightweight cube frame out of black cardboard or foam board, cover the open window panels with yellow tissue paper or sheer yellow fabric, and place battery-powered LED lights inside.
- Can I see out of the lantern headpiece?
- Yes, if you use a sheer yellow mesh or organza fabric for the window panels, you will be able to see out while keeping your face obscured.
- What is the significance of the crossbar?
- Victorian gas lamps featured a horizontal bar (ladder rest) near the top so lamp lighters could lean their ladders against them to light the gas flame.
Did you know? Before electric streetlights, lamplighters had to walk the streets every evening to light each individual gas lamp by hand.