How do I make a cheap DIY Gollum costume?

Use an old pair of brown shorts or sweatpants, cut the edges into jagged points to make a loincloth, wear a nude-colored shirt, and use cheap eyeshadow to create dirty, gaunt face makeup.

What color is Gollum's skin?

Gollum's skin is a very pale, sickly, almost translucent gray-white with hints of green and dirt smudges from living underground.

Is a bald cap necessary for a Gollum costume?

While not strictly necessary if you have very short hair that you can slick down with gel and dirt, a bald cap with a few wispy strands attached gives the most accurate, movie-faithful look.

AI-generated example

Gollum Costume

Channel your inner Smeagol with this iconic, minimalist Middle-earth look.

Gollum is one of the most memorable characters from J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings franchise, known for his dual personality and obsession with the One Ring. People choose this costume for its comedic value, spooky aesthetic, and high recognition factor. The look consists of a minimalist loincloth, pale weathered skin, sparse hair, and his signature golden ring accessory.

Difficulty: Medium
Time: ~45 min
Budget: $20–75

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See yourself as Gollum

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Gollum costume — Example look · AI-generated

You as Gollum

Result

What you need for a Gollum costume

Short on time? Buy it ready-made

Spirit Halloween sells the complete Gollum costume — one box instead of 5 pieces.

Shop Gollum at Spirit ↗

Flesh-toned bodysuit or loincloth
A skin-tight, pale-tan or light-gray bodysuit, or a simple brown tattered loincloth worn over skin-toned undergarments.
DIY: Cut up an old pair of brown or gray sweatpants into a tattered, jagged-edged loincloth.
Amazon
Bald cap with sparse hair
A latex bald cap painted pale gray-green, with a few strands of wispy, greasy black synthetic hair attached.
DIY: Apply a standard latex bald cap and glue a few strands of dark yarn or cheap wig hair to the sides.
Amazon
Pointed elf ears
Latex ear tips painted to match your skin tone, trimmed to look slightly tattered and pointed.
DIY: Cut standard costume elf ears down to a smaller, more withered shape and paint them pale gray.
Amazon
The One Ring prop
A simple gold-colored band, ideally worn on a thin, weathered chain around your neck.
DIY: Use any cheap gold-colored band jewelry and thread it onto a piece of twine.
Amazon
Pale body paint
Water-activated or cream body paint in pale gray, light green, and white to create a sickly, cave-dwelling complexion.
DIY: Mix white face paint with a tiny drop of green and black eyeshadow.
Amazon

Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Gollum costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗

How to put it together

1
Put on the base layer, either the flesh-toned bodysuit or the skin-colored undergarments paired with the tattered loincloth.
2
Apply the latex bald cap according to package instructions, blending the edges with liquid latex or makeup.
3
Attach the pointed latex ear tips using spirit gum or lash adhesive.
4
Use pale gray and green body paint to cover your face, neck, hands, and any exposed skin, blending well to look sickly and pale.
5
Use dark eyeshadow (brown, purple, and black) to shade deep hollows around your eyes, cheekbones, and collarbones to look gaunt.
6
Place the gold ring on its chain around your neck, or hold it tightly in your hand.
7
Adopt a hunched posture and practice your best raspy 'Precious' whisper.

Makeup & hair

Apply heavy dark circles under the eyes and highlight the brow bone to look wide-eyed and gaunt. The hair should look like sparse, greasy, wet black strands clinging to the sides of a pale, bald head.

Gollum for couples, groups, kids & more

couples: Pair up with someone dressed as Frodo Baggins or Samwise Gamgee holding the Ring.
group: Join a larger Lord of the Rings group featuring Aragorn, Gandalf, and Legolas.
kids: Use a comfortable, full-coverage beige sweat suit with a tattered brown fabric loincloth over top for warmth and ease.
Plus size: A loose-fitting, tattered gray or brown tunic can replace the tight loincloth for a more comfortable fit.
pet: A small dog can wear a simple brown tattered collar/harness with a toy gold ring attached.

Tips

If you are going barefoot, use cheap flesh-colored slip-on shoes or paint old socks to look like dirty, calloused feet.
Stay hydrated and take breaks from crouching, as holding Gollum's signature low posture can strain your back and knees.
Keep the gold ring secured to a necklace so you do not lose your 'Precious' during the night.

Gollum costume FAQ

How do I make a cheap DIY Gollum costume?: Use an old pair of brown shorts or sweatpants, cut the edges into jagged points to make a loincloth, wear a nude-colored shirt, and use cheap eyeshadow to create dirty, gaunt face makeup.
What color is Gollum's skin?: Gollum's skin is a very pale, sickly, almost translucent gray-white with hints of green and dirt smudges from living underground.
Is a bald cap necessary for a Gollum costume?: While not strictly necessary if you have very short hair that you can slick down with gel and dirt, a bald cap with a few wispy strands attached gives the most accurate, movie-faithful look.

Did you know? Andy Serkis, the actor who played Gollum, based the character's iconic raspy voice on the sound of his cats coughing up hairballs.