Jareth the Goblin King Costume
Dance magic dance in the Goblin King's iconic 1980s fantasy attire.
Jareth the Goblin King from the 1986 fantasy classic Labyrinth is a legendary character portrayed by David Bowie. Fans choose this costume to channel his dramatic, theatrical presence, blending 18th-century romanticism with 1980s glam rock. The signature look features a high-collared ruffled shirt, a dramatic waistcoat, fitted riding pants, and his iconic gravity-defying hair.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- ~45 min
- Budget
- $60–150
Try it on
See yourself as Jareth the Goblin King
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What you need for a Jareth the Goblin King costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Jareth the Goblin King costume — one box instead of 6 pieces.
Ruffled white poet shirt
A white satin or cotton blouse with a high ruffled collar, ruffled cuffs, and a deep V-neckline.
DIY: Add lace trim or ruffles to the collar and cuffs of an oversized white button-down shirt.
Ornate high-collar waistcoat
A brocade, velvet, or sequined vest in silver, grey, or deep blue with a high standing collar.
DIY: Decorate a thrifted grey vest with silver fabric paint, glitter, or sequins along the lapels.
Fitted grey riding pants
Tight-fitting grey or silver leggings, jodhpurs, or skinny trousers.
DIY: Use tight grey leggings or stretch pants.
Knee-high black boots
Tall, black faux-leather riding boots or pirate boots with a slight heel.
DIY: Wear black dress shoes with tall black vinyl boot covers.
Crystal ball prop
A clear acrylic contact juggling ball, approximately 70mm to 90mm in size.
DIY: Use a clear glass Christmas ornament with the metal hanger cap removed.
Leather riding gloves
Black or dark brown leather gloves, preferably with a wide, flared gauntlet cuff.
DIY: Add stiff black felt cuffs to a pair of standard black winter leather gloves.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Jareth the Goblin King costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the tight grey riding pants and tuck them securely into the knee-high black boots.
- 2
Don the white ruffled poet shirt, pulling the ruffles out so they drape over your wrists.
- 3
Layer the ornate brocade waistcoat over the shirt, keeping it buttoned to emphasize the high collar.
- 4
Style your hair or put on the styled spiky blonde wig, ensuring the long back tendrils drape over your shoulders.
- 5
Apply the dramatic 80s glam makeup, focusing on the sharp blue eyeshadow and defined eyebrows.
- 6
Put on the leather gauntlet gloves and pick up the clear acrylic crystal ball to complete the look.
Makeup & hair
Style a blonde wig with a heavily teased, spiky top and long, straight strands framing the face and neck. For makeup, apply pale foundation, sharp blue eyeshadow swept upward toward the temples, thin, highly arched dark eyebrows, and a subtle nude lip.
Jareth the Goblin King for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair Jareth with Sarah in her white, puffy-sleeved ballroom ballgown.
- group
- Add Hoggle, Ludo, Sir Didymus, and a few mischievous goblins to form a full Labyrinth group.
- kids
- A mini Jareth in a tiny ruffled shirt, paired with a baby sibling dressed as Toby in a red-and-white striped onesie.
- Plus size
- Opt for a stretch-fabric poet shirt and a custom-laced brocade corset vest for a comfortable, adjustable fit.
- pet
- A small dog dressed in a tiny silver cape and a miniature blonde spiky wig.
Tips
- Practice holding the acrylic ball between your fingers beforehand so you don't drop and scratch it during your event.
- Use plenty of extra-strength hairspray to keep the spiky wig standing tall throughout the night.
- Wear comfortable socks inside the knee-high boots, as you will likely be walking and dancing.
Jareth the Goblin King costume FAQ
- What kind of pants does Jareth wear?
- Jareth wears very tight, high-waisted grey riding pants or leggings, which are a signature element of his 1980s theatrical silhouette.
- How do I style the Jareth wig?
- Start with a layered blonde wig, tease the crown heavily with a comb, use hair wax to define the spikes, and leave the bottom layers long and straight.
- What is the crystal ball Jareth holds?
- It is a contact juggling ball. For the costume, a clear acrylic or resin ball works perfectly and is shatterproof.
Did you know? David Bowie did not actually perform the contact juggling tricks with the crystal balls in the film; professional juggler Michael Moschen stood behind Bowie and performed the tricks blindly.