Glee Cheerleader Costume
Channel your inner Brittany, Santana, or Quinn in the iconic Cheerios uniform.
The Glee Cheerios cheerleader costume is a high-energy, nostalgic look inspired by William McKinley High School's elite cheer squad. Popular for its bold red, white, and black color scheme, this outfit is instantly recognizable to any fan of the musical TV series. The ensemble features a structured, athletic shell top, a matching pleated skirt, and classic cheerleader accessories.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~30 min
- Budget
- $35–90
Try it on
See yourself as Glee Cheerleader
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 Cheerleader costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Glee Cheerleader costume — one box instead of 6 pieces.
Red and White Cheerios Shell Top
A sleeveless, V-neck athletic shell top in red with white and black side panels and trim, featuring 'WMHS' printed across the chest in black block letters with white outlines.
DIY: Use a plain red athletic tank top and add white fabric paint or iron-on letters to spell out 'WMHS'.
Red Pleated Cheer Skirt
A matching red pleated athletic skirt with white and black stripe detailing along the bottom hem.
DIY: Take a plain red pleated skirt and fabric-glue white and black ribbon trim along the bottom edge.
White Pom-Poms
A pair of classic, fluffy white plastic pom-poms with baton handles.
DIY: Make your own pom-poms using white plastic trash bags cut into thin strips and bound together.
White Athletic Socks
Simple, clean white crew socks or ankle socks.
White Sneakers
Classic, clean white athletic sneakers or cheer shoes.
DIY: Use any clean white running shoes you already own.
Red Hair Bow
A large, stiff red grosgrain ribbon bow worn high in the hair.
DIY: Tie a wide red ribbon into a large bow and secure it to a hair elastic.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Glee Cheerleader costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the red, white, and black WMHS cheerleader shell top.
- 2
Slip on the matching red pleated cheer skirt, ensuring it sits comfortably at the waist.
- 3
Pull on the clean white crew socks.
- 4
Lace up your white athletic sneakers.
- 5
Style your hair into a high, sleek ponytail and secure it with the large red cheer bow.
- 6
Grab a white pom-pom in each hand to complete the high-spirited look.
Makeup & hair
Style hair into a high, tight, sleek ponytail secured with a large red bow. Keep makeup fresh and athletic with a touch of pink lip gloss, light blush, and neutral eyeshadow.
Glee Cheerleader for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair up with someone dressed as a McKinley High football player in a red and white varsity letterman jacket, or Sue Sylvester in a red track suit.
- group
- Gather a group to go as the core Cheerios trio: Quinn, Santana, and Brittany, complete with matching uniforms and high ponytails.
- kids
- Available in youth sizes as a cute, high-energy school spirit outfit.
- Plus size
- Look for stretch-knit polyester cheer uniforms that offer comfortable flexibility and a flattering fit around the waist.
- pet
- A small red and white dog sweater styled to look like a cheer pleated dress.
Tips
- Avoid shiny satin fabrics; look for matte polyester double-knit fabric for an authentic, screen-accurate uniform look.
- Wear red or black spandex boy shorts underneath the pleated skirt for comfort and coverage.
- Keep your sneakers bright white; a quick wipe-down with a damp cloth or sneaker cleaner works wonders before photos.
Glee Cheerleader costume FAQ
- What does the writing on the Glee cheerleader uniform say?
- The chest of the uniform features the letters 'WMHS' in black block letters with white outlines, which stands for William McKinley High School.
- How do I style my hair for a Cheerios costume?
- The classic look is a high, sleek ponytail secured at the crown of your head with a large, stiff red cheer bow facing forward.
- What shoes should I wear with this costume?
- Plain, clean white athletic sneakers or specialized white cheerleading shoes are perfect for this look.
Did you know? The Cheerios uniforms used on Glee were actual, professional-grade cheerleading uniforms made by real athletic apparel companies to ensure they looked authentic on screen.