Ghost Band Costume
Embrace the theatrical dark metal look of Papa Emeritus or a Ghoul.
Ghost is a Swedish rock band famous for their elaborate, satanic-ministry-themed stage outfits and occult imagery. Fans love dressing up as the band's lead singer, Papa Emeritus (in his various papal incarnations), or as one of the masked Nameless Ghouls. This guide focuses on the iconic Papa Emeritus III look, featuring a dark papal robe or a sharp, embellished black suit.
- Difficulty
- Advanced
- Time
- ~90 min
- Budget
- $60–250
Try it on
See yourself as Ghost Band
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What you need for a Ghost Band costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Ghost Band costume — one box instead of 6 pieces.
Papa Emeritus Mitre Hat
A tall, pointed papal hat in black and silver, featuring an embroidered upside-down grucifix symbol.
DIY: Modify a cardboard bishop hat, paint it black, and paint a silver grucifix on the front.
Black and Silver Papal Robe
A long black robe or cassock with silver trim, ornate patterns, and satin lining.
DIY: Use a long black trench coat or plain black robe and fabric-glue silver ribbon trim along the edges.
Grucifix Pendant
A large silver necklace featuring an upside-down cross with a stylized 'G' in the center.
DIY: Cut the shape from thick craft foam, paint it metallic silver, and hang it from a heavy chain.
Skull Face Paint
High-quality black and white cream face paint to create a stylized, elegant skull makeup look.
White Clergy Collar
A simple white tab collar insert to wear at the neck of the black robe.
DIY: Cut a strip of flexible white plastic from a container and tuck it into a black band collar.
Black Dress Gloves
Sleek black cotton or satin gloves, sometimes adorned with silver rings worn over them.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Ghost Band costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Apply a solid base of white face paint over the entire face and neck, leaving the eye sockets bare.
- 2
Use black face paint to fill in the eye sockets, shade the hollows of the cheeks, and draw a skeletal nose and mouth.
- 3
Put on a black high-collared shirt or cassock, inserting the white clergy collar tab at the throat.
- 4
Layer the ornate black and silver papal robe over the shirt.
- 5
Put on the black dress gloves and slide large silver rings over the gloved fingers.
- 6
Hang the large silver grucifix pendant around your neck so it rests prominently on your chest.
- 7
Place the tall Papa Emeritus mitre hat securely on your head, adjusting it to sit straight.
Makeup & hair
The makeup is key: a stark white face with black skeletal details around the eyes, nose, and jawline. Slick back any visible hair under the mitre hat, or wear a short, slicked-back white wig if going hatless.
Ghost Band for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- One partner dresses as Papa Emeritus while the other goes as a chrome-masked Nameless Ghoul.
- group
- A full band lineup with one Papa Emeritus and multiple Nameless Ghouls wearing matching silver masks and black suits.
- kids
- A simplified version with a black robe, a felt mitre hat, and basic skull face paint.
- Plus size
- Clergy robes and cassocks are naturally loose-fitting and highly accommodating for all body types.
- pet
- A black pet cape with a tiny felt mitre hat secured with an elastic band.
Tips
- Use a setting powder and setting spray over your face paint to prevent smudging, especially around the collar.
- If the mitre hat feels top-heavy, secure it to your hair using bobby pins or a hidden elastic headband.
- Wear comfortable black dress shoes, as you will likely be walking or standing a lot.
- Keep a straw handy to drink beverages without ruining your skull mouth paint.
Ghost Band costume FAQ
- What is the symbol on the Ghost band costume?
- It is called a 'Grucifix,' which is an upside-down Latin cross with a capital letter 'G' in the center, representing the band's name.
- How do you dress like a Nameless Ghoul instead?
- You will need a full-face metallic silver or black Ghoul mask, a tailored black suit or cassock, and black gloves to hide all skin.
- Is it hard to do the Papa Emeritus makeup?
- It requires some patience. Using stencils for the clean lines around the eyes and cheekbones can make the process much easier for beginners.
Did you know? Each album cycle features a 'new' Papa Emeritus (or Cardinal Copia) with a completely redesigned outfit and prosthetic mask, keeping the band's lore constantly evolving.