Labyrinth Costume
Dance the magic dance in Jareth's high-fantasy, dramatic 1980s style.
Jim Henson's 1986 fantasy classic Labyrinth remains a visual masterpiece and a favorite source of inspiration for costume enthusiasts. The most popular look is Jareth the Goblin King, played by David Bowie, known for his dramatic high-collar coats, ruffled shirts, and iconic spiky hair. This guide focuses on Jareth's signature ballroom outfit, a perfect blend of 18th-century romance and 1980s glam rock.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- ~45 min
- Budget
- $50–150
Try it on
See yourself as Labyrinth
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 Labyrinth costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Labyrinth costume — one box instead of 6 pieces.
Silver or Blue Victorian Coat
A long, high-collared frock coat in metallic silver, deep blue, or brocade fabric with wide lapels.
DIY: Take a thrifted suit jacket, add a tall stiff foam collar, and paint it with metallic fabric paint.
White Ruffled Poet Shirt
A loose-fitting white satin or cotton shirt with a ruffled collar and billowy sleeves.
DIY: Sew lace trim or ruffles onto the collar and cuffs of a plain white button-down shirt.
Tight Grey or Black Pants
Form-fitting leggings, riding pants, or slim-fit trousers in light grey or black.
DIY: Use tight grey leggings or skinny jeans.
Knee-High Black Boots
Tall black riding boots or pirate-style boots with a slight heel.
DIY: Wear black dress shoes with tall black vinyl boot covers.
Clear Crystal Ball
A clear acrylic contact juggling ball, approximately 70mm to 80mm in size.
DIY: Use a clear glass Christmas ornament with the metal hanger cap removed.
Spiky Blonde 80s Wig
A layered, spiky blonde wig with long, thin strands framing the face and neck.
DIY: Style a blonde wig using heavy-hold hairspray and backcombing to get the signature mullet shape.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Labyrinth costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the tight grey trousers and tuck them securely into the knee-high black boots.
- 2
Don the white ruffled poet shirt, ensuring the ruffles at the neck and cuffs are fully visible.
- 3
Layer the high-collared silver or blue brocade frock coat over the shirt, leaving it open to show off the ruffles.
- 4
Apply the dramatic 80s fantasy makeup, focusing on defined eyebrows and blue eyeshadow.
- 5
Put on the styled spiky blonde wig, shaking out the longer back layers over the coat's collar.
- 6
Hold the clear acrylic crystal ball in one hand, resting it on your palm or fingertips for photos.
Makeup & hair
Apply pale foundation, then use blue and silver eyeshadow swept upward toward the temples. Draw thin, high-arched dark eyebrows, and finish with a neutral lip color. Style the wig with heavy hairspray to create dramatic spikes on top while keeping the back long and straight.
Labyrinth for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair Jareth with Sarah in her voluminous, glittering white masquerade ballgown.
- group
- Add Hoggle, Ludo, Sir Didymus, and a goblin or two for a full fantasy ensemble.
- kids
- A mini Jareth with a tiny ruffled shirt, or a baby dressed as Toby in a red-and-white striped onesie.
- Plus size
- A velvet or brocade duster coat offers a comfortable, structured drape over a ruffled shirt.
- pet
- Dress a small dog as Sir Didymus riding an Ambrosius-style fluffy dog.
Tips
- An acrylic juggling ball is much safer and lighter than real glass for carrying around all night.
- If your coat collar won't stay up, pin a piece of stiff craft foam or cardboard behind the lapels.
- Wear comfortable socks inside the tall boots, as you will likely be walking or dancing.
- Practice holding the crystal ball in your palm to mimic David Bowie's iconic contact juggling poses.
Labyrinth costume FAQ
- What does Jareth wear in Labyrinth?
- Jareth wears several outfits, but his most famous is the ballroom look consisting of a silver/blue high-collared brocade coat, a white ruffled poet shirt, tight grey pants, and knee-high boots.
- How do I style my hair like the Goblin King?
- You need a dramatic 1980s mullet style. Use a blonde wig, backcomb the top sections for volume, spike them with heavy-duty hair gel, and leave the back layers long and straight.
- What prop is essential for a Jareth costume?
- A clear acrylic contact juggling ball is the most iconic prop, representing the crystal spheres Jareth manipulates throughout the film.
Did you know? The mesmerizing crystal ball manipulation in the film wasn't done by David Bowie; choreographer Michael Moschen stood directly behind Bowie and performed the blind contact juggling with his own hands.