Glee Costume
Bring the high-energy drama of McKinley High to life.
Glee remains a pop culture phenomenon, and its most recognizable look is the fierce Cheerios cheerleader uniform worn by characters like Santana, Brittany, and Quinn. This costume is a massive hit for anyone wanting a nostalgic, high-energy TV look that is instantly recognizable. The outfit consists of a classic red, white, and black cheerleading uniform paired with high ponytails and pom-poms.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- ~30 min
- Budget
- $40–90
Try it on
See yourself as Glee
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 Glee costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Glee costume — one box instead of 5 pieces.
Red and White Cheerleader Vest
A red sleeveless athletic vest with white and black V-neck trim, featuring 'WMHS' printed or patched on the chest.
DIY: Use a plain red athletic tank top and fabric paint or iron-on vinyl to add the white trim and 'WMHS' lettering.
Red Pleated Cheer Skirt
A matching red pleated athletic skirt with white and black stripe details along the hem.
DIY: Take a plain red pleated skirt and fabric-glue white and black ribbon along the bottom edge.
White Long-Sleeve Under-Shirt
A fitted, plain white long-sleeve crewneck t-shirt or bodysuit worn underneath the vest.
Red and White Pom-Poms
A pair of classic metallic or plastic cheerleading pom-poms in red and white.
White Athletic Shoes and Socks
Clean white low-top sneakers paired with white ankle socks.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Glee costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the fitted white long-sleeve shirt as your base layer.
- 2
Layer the red and white WMHS cheerleading vest directly over the white shirt.
- 3
Put on the matching red pleated cheer skirt, ensuring it sits comfortably at the waist.
- 4
Put on the white ankle socks and clean white athletic sneakers.
- 5
Tie your hair up into a high, sleek ponytail secured with a red or white scrunchie.
- 6
Pick up your red and white pom-poms to complete the McKinley High spirit look.
Makeup & hair
Pull your hair back into a high, slicked-back ponytail. Keep makeup clean and athletic with a touch of pink lip gloss and a confident, high-energy smile.
Glee for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair a Cheerio cheerleader with a McKinley High letterman jacket look (like Finn Hudson).
- group
- Gather a squad of Cheerios, or mix in a Sue Sylvester in a red track suit and a New Directions member in casual clothes.
- kids
- A miniature red and white cheerleader uniform with a high ponytail and mini pom-poms.
- Plus size
- Look for athletic-stretch cheer uniforms or use a red skater skirt paired with a stretchy red tank top over a white tee.
- pet
- A red and white pet-sized athletic tee or bandana.
Tips
- Look for polyester-spandex blends rather than cheap, shiny satin fabrics to get an authentic, high-quality uniform look.
- Wear white spandex shorts or briefs under the pleated skirt for comfort and coverage while moving around.
- Keep your sneakers scuff-free by wiping them down with a damp cloth before heading out.
Glee costume FAQ
- What does the Cheerios uniform say on the front?
- The authentic Glee Cheerios uniform features the letters 'WMHS' printed diagonally or straight across the chest, standing for William McKinley High School.
- How can I make a DIY Sue Sylvester costume instead?
- To dress as Sue Sylvester, you need a full red zip-up track suit with white stripes down the sleeves and legs, a short blonde wig, and a silver whistle on a lanyard.
- What kind of shoes should I wear with a Glee cheerleader costume?
- Simple, clean white athletic sneakers or classic canvas tennis shoes work best to match the show's uniform style.
Did you know? The iconic Cheerios uniforms used on Glee were actual, professional-grade cheerleading uniforms made by real athletic apparel companies to ensure they looked authentic on screen.