Hey Arnold! Costume
Bring the classic 90s Nickelodeon football head look to life.
Step into the streets of Hillwood as Arnold Shortman, the kind-hearted protagonist of Nickelodeon's classic 90s animated series, Hey Arnold!. This instantly recognizable look is a favorite for 90s kids, relying on a distinct layered shirt combination and his signature tiny blue cap. It is a comfortable, nostalgic choice that is incredibly easy to assemble.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~30 min
- Budget
- $25–60
Try it on
See yourself as Hey Arnold!
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.
Your photo is sent to Google's Gemini API to make the render and isn't used for training. Renders are AI-generated and labelled.
Want a different costume on this photo, or a whole group in costume? Open the Try-On Studio.
What you need for a Hey Arnold! costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Hey Arnold! costume — one box instead of 5 pieces.
Red plaid flannel shirt
A long-sleeved red and black or red and white plaid button-down shirt, worn long so it resembles a kilt or skirt hem under the sweater.
DIY: Use an oversized red plaid shirt you already own.
Green crewneck sweater
A solid, bright green knit crewneck sweater worn directly over the long plaid shirt.
DIY: A green long-sleeve t-shirt can work in warmer weather.
Blue denim jeans
Classic blue jeans in a relaxed or straight-leg cut.
DIY: Any standard pair of blue jeans from your closet.
Tiny blue cap
A miniature blue fabric cap or a small blue felt hat that sits right in the middle of the hair.
DIY: Cut a small circle of blue felt, shape it into a tiny dome, and bobby-pin it to your hair.
Black and white sneakers
Classic black low-top canvas sneakers with white soles and laces.
DIY: Any black and white skate shoes or sneakers.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Hey Arnold! costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the long red plaid flannel shirt first, leaving it unbuttoned at the bottom so it flares out.
- 2
Pull the solid green crewneck sweater over the plaid shirt, letting the long plaid shirttails hang out from underneath the bottom hem like a skirt.
- 3
Put on your classic blue denim jeans and lace up your black and white canvas sneakers.
- 4
Style your hair into two wide, spiky blonde wings on either side of your head, leaving the center flat.
- 5
Place the tiny blue cap directly in the center of your head between the two spiky hair sections, securing it with bobby pins if necessary.
Makeup & hair
Style your hair (or a blonde wig) into Arnold's signature wide, horizontal 'football head' spikes on the sides, keeping the top flat. No makeup is required, but a clean, friendly face matches his optimistic character.
Hey Arnold! for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair up with Helga Pataki wearing her pink dress, white shirt, giant pink hair bow, and a drawn-on unibrow.
- group
- Add Gerald Johanssen in his red '33' shirt with a tall flat-top wig, and Harold or Phoebe for a full Hillwood gang.
- kids
- An adorable, comfortable option for kids using a scaled-down green sweater and a mini blue felt hat.
- Plus size
- The layered sweater and relaxed-fit jeans offer a comfortable, true-to-character fit for all body types.
Tips
- Make sure the plaid shirt is long enough to visibly hang past the bottom of the green sweater by at least 4-6 inches.
- Use heavy-duty hair gel or hairspray to get the horizontal, gravity-defying spikes on the sides of your hair.
- If using a wig, insert cardboard or wire supports inside the side spikes to keep them from drooping.
Hey Arnold! costume FAQ
- What is Arnold actually wearing under his sweater?
- While it looks like a skirt, creator Craig Bartlett confirmed Arnold is wearing an oversized red plaid flannel shirt underneath his green knit sweater.
- How do I make the tiny blue hat stay on?
- Use hot glue to attach a small blue felt dome to a clear plastic headband, or use bobby pins threaded through the base of the hat.
- Can I buy an official Hey Arnold costume?
- Yes, officially licensed Arnold and Gerald costumes are available online, but it is very easy and often higher quality to DIY using real clothing.
Did you know? Arnold's unique 'football head' shape and design originated from claymation shorts that creator Craig Bartlett made before the character was adapted into the classic hand-drawn Nickelodeon series.