Killer Clown Costume
Turn a classic circus look into a terrifying Halloween nightmare.
The Killer Clown is a classic horror archetype that plays on coulrophobia, the fear of clowns. People choose this look to deliver genuine scares at Halloween parties, haunted houses, and community events [1.1.2]. The complete look consists of a distressed, blood-splattered clown jumpsuit, a ruffled collar, creepy face paint or a mask, and a menacing toy prop.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- ~45 min
- Budget
- $30–80
Try it on
See yourself as Killer Clown
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What you need for a Killer Clown costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Killer Clown costume — one box instead of 6 pieces.
Distressed clown jumpsuit
A baggy, one-piece jumpsuit featuring mismatched patterns like black-and-white stripes, harlequin diamonds, or polka dots, ideally with artificial blood splatters.
DIY: Splatter red fabric paint onto an old, oversized colorful or patterned jumpsuit.
Ruffled neck collar
A pleated or ruffled fabric collar, usually in black, white, or red, that fits snugly around the neck.
DIY: Pleat a strip of white or black tulle or coffee filters and staple them to a ribbon.
Creepy clown mask or face paint
A latex mask with a distorted, toothy grin and evil eyes, or professional white, black, and red face paint.
DIY: Apply white face paint as a base, then use black and red makeup to draw sharp, exaggerated triangles over your eyes and a wide, jagged smile.
Red clown nose
A classic red foam or plastic nose, which can be distressed with dark makeup or fake blood.
DIY: Cut a small slit in a red ping-pong ball or paint a foam ball red and attach it with elastic.
Toy weapon prop
A lightweight plastic prop such as a bloody machete, a giant foam mallet, or a toy chainsaw.
DIY: Craft an oversized mallet using a cardboard oatmeal container, a wooden dowel, and gray paint.
Clown shoes or dark boots
Oversized, colorful clown shoes or a pair of worn-out, scuffed black boots.
DIY: Wear chunky black combat boots and splatter them with fake blood.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Killer Clown costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on your base clothing, such as a t-shirt and comfortable pants or leggings, to wear underneath the jumpsuit.
- 2
Step into the distressed clown jumpsuit and zip or button it up completely.
- 3
Fasten the ruffled neck collar around your neck, adjusting it so it sits neatly over the top of the jumpsuit.
- 4
Apply your scary clown makeup (white base, dark hollow eyes, and a jagged red grin) or pull on the latex mask.
- 5
Put on your scuffed boots or oversized clown shoes.
- 6
Pick up your toy weapon prop, practice your creepiest laugh, and you are ready to go.
Makeup & hair
If not using a mask, apply a pale white face paint base, then use black eyeshadow to create hollow, sunken eyes and red lipstick to draw a wide, menacing grin that extends past your cheeks. Style your hair in wild, teased tufts, or wear a colorful, messy clown wig.
Killer Clown for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- One person dresses as a scary ringmaster while the other goes as the escaped killer clown.
- group
- Assemble a full 'creepy carnival' troupe with a killer clown, a sinister fortune teller, and a demonic mime.
- kids
- A slightly toned-down version featuring a colorful jumpsuit with minor distress and simple, non-gory face paint.
- Plus size
- Opt for a baggy, oversized harlequin jumpsuit which naturally offers a comfortable, loose fit for all body types.
- pet
- A small ruff collar and a tiny, lightweight plush clown hat attached to a comfortable harness.
More ways people search for this costume
The most-searched variations of “Killer Clown costume”, and how this look adapts to each.
Killer clown costume diy
- Skip the store: Splatter red fabric paint onto an old, oversized colorful or patterned jumpsuit. Pleat a strip of white or black tulle or coffee filters and staple them to a ribbon. Apply white face paint as a base, then use black and red makeup to draw sharp, exaggerated triangles over your eyes and a wide, jagged smile.
Tips
- Make sure your mask has adequate eye and breathing holes if you plan to wear it for long periods.
- Keep the fake blood away from your eyes and mouth, and ensure it is fully dry before sitting on furniture.
- Wear comfortable, breathable layers underneath the jumpsuit, especially if you are wearing a heavy latex mask.
- Practice a slow, silent walk or a sudden, creepy head tilt to enhance the scare factor in photos.
Killer Clown costume FAQ
- How do I make a DIY killer clown costume?
- You can easily make one by buying a cheap, colorful jumpsuit or oversized clothes, shredding the edges with scissors, and splattering them with red fabric paint or fake blood. Add a ruffled collar made from coffee filters or tulle, and complete the look with dramatic, messy face paint.
- What kind of makeup is best for a scary clown?
- Use grease-based or water-activated face paint for a solid white base. Use black eyeliner or eyeshadow to draw sharp triangles over and under your eyes, and red face paint or lipstick to create an exaggerated, jagged smile that stretches across your cheeks.
- Is a killer clown costume suitable for kids?
- While the classic killer clown is very scary, you can easily tone it down for kids by using bright colors, omitting the fake blood and weapons, and using friendly clown makeup with just a slightly mischievous twist.
Did you know? The 'evil clown' trope gained massive pop culture traction in the 1980s, heavily influenced by real-world events and iconic horror novels like Stephen King's 'It'.