Glee Cheerio Costume
Bring high-energy McKinley High spirit with this iconic red cheerleader uniform.
The Glee Cheerio costume is a fan-favorite look inspired by Sue Sylvester's elite cheerleading squad at William McKinley High School. Perfect for fans of the hit musical TV show, this outfit is instantly recognizable by its bold red, black, and white color scheme. The look consists of a structured shell top, a pleated skirt, and classic cheerleader accessories.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~20 min
- Budget
- $35–85
Try it on
See yourself as Glee Cheerio
One clear photo of yourself; we render you in this costume — face untouched, full body, about 20 seconds.
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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 Cheerio costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Glee Cheerio costume — one box instead of 6 pieces.
Red Cheerleader Shell Top
A sleeveless, structured polyester top in red with black and white V-neck trim and 'WMHS' printed across the chest.
DIY: Use a plain red sleeveless top and fabric paint or iron-on vinyl to add black and white stripes and the 'WMHS' letters.
Red Pleated Cheer Skirt
A matching red pleated cheerleader skirt with black and white stripe details along the bottom hem.
DIY: Take a plain red pleated skirt and fabric-glue black and white ribbon trim along the bottom edge.
White Under-Shorts
White spandex compression shorts or bloomers to wear comfortably under the pleated skirt.
Red and White Pom-Poms
A pair of classic metallic or plastic cheerleader pom-poms in red and white.
White Athletic Sneakers
Clean, classic white athletic shoes or cheerleading sneakers.
DIY: Use any clean white sneakers you already own.
White Crew Socks
Simple, clean white crew-length socks pulled up slightly.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Glee Cheerio costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the white spandex compression shorts first for comfort and coverage.
- 2
Slip on the red pleated cheer skirt, ensuring it sits comfortably at your natural waist.
- 3
Put on the red, black, and white 'WMHS' shell top, tucking it in or leaving it untucked depending on the fit of your specific uniform set.
- 4
Put on the white crew socks and lace up your clean white athletic sneakers.
- 5
Style your hair into a high, sleek ponytail secured with a red or white ribbon scrunchie.
- 6
Pick up your red and white pom-poms to complete the high-spirited McKinley High look.
Makeup & hair
Style your hair into a high, sleek, bouncy ponytail secured with a red or white ribbon. Keep makeup clean and fresh with a touch of pink lip gloss and light mascara for a classic high school athlete aesthetic.
Glee Cheerio for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair up with someone dressed as Sue Sylvester in a red track jacket, or a McKinley High football player in a red letterman jacket.
- group
- Gather a group to go as the core Cheerio trio: Quinn, Santana, and Brittany.
- kids
- Available in youth sizes as a cute, high-energy school spirit outfit.
- Plus size
- Look for stretch-knit cheerleader uniforms or use a red skater skirt and a matching tank top for a comfortable, flexible fit.
- pet
- A small red and white dog sweater styled to look like a sports jersey.
Tips
- Avoid shiny satin fabrics; look for matte polyester or double-knit athletic fabrics to match the authentic look of the show's uniforms.
- Wear white compression shorts or spandex briefs under the pleated skirt for comfort and mobility.
- Keep your white sneakers clean by wiping them down with a damp cloth before taking photos.
Glee Cheerio costume FAQ
- What does the Cheerio uniform say on the front?
- The authentic Glee Cheerio uniform features the letters 'WMHS' printed across the chest, standing for William McKinley High School.
- What do you wear under a Cheerio cheer skirt?
- It is best to wear white spandex compression shorts or athletic bloomers underneath the pleated skirt for comfort and coverage.
- How can I make a DIY Glee cheerleader costume?
- You can use a plain red tank top and a red pleated skirt, then use fabric paint or iron-on transfer paper to add the black and white stripes and the 'WMHS' lettering to the chest.
Did you know? The Cheerios uniform design remained virtually unchanged throughout all six seasons of Glee, becoming one of the most recognizable visual symbols of the entire series.