Linus van Pelt Costume
Grab your blue security blanket and channel the wisest Peanuts character.
Linus van Pelt is the philosophical, blanket-toting heart of the Peanuts comic strip. This costume is a popular choice for its nostalgic charm, simplicity, and instant recognizability. The look centers around his signature red-and-black striped shirt, dark shorts, and his inseparable blue security blanket.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~15 min
- Budget
- $15–45
Try it on
See yourself as Linus van Pelt
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 Linus van Pelt costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Linus van Pelt costume — one box instead of 5 pieces.
Red and black striped shirt
A red short-sleeved crewneck t-shirt featuring thin, horizontal black stripes spaced a few inches apart.
DIY: Use a plain red t-shirt and draw thin horizontal stripes around it using a black fabric marker.
Black shorts
Simple, loose-fitting black cotton or athletic shorts that sit above the knee.
Blue security blanket
A rectangular piece of light blue fleece, flannel, or knit blanket fabric, measuring about 3 by 4 feet.
DIY: Cut a yard of light blue fleece fabric from a craft store; no sewing required as fleece doesn't fray.
Red socks
Ankle-high or crew-length solid red socks.
Brown shoes
Simple brown sneakers, loafers, or slip-on shoes.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Linus van Pelt costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the red and black striped t-shirt.
- 2
Slip on the black shorts, ensuring they sit comfortably at the waist.
- 3
Put on the red crew socks and step into the brown shoes.
- 4
Fold the light blue blanket over your shoulder or hold it in one hand.
- 5
If desired, suck your thumb or hold the blanket close to your cheek to mimic Linus's classic pose.
Makeup & hair
Keep hair simple and slightly messy. If you want to mimic the comic strip look, style your hair with a few sparse, wispy strands pointing upward using a light-hold hair gel.
Linus van Pelt for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair up with Lucy van Pelt in her signature blue dress, or Sally Brown, who famously adores her 'Sweet Babboo'.
- group
- Form the ultimate Peanuts gang with friends dressed as Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Woodstock, and Lucy.
- kids
- This is an incredibly easy and comfortable costume for toddlers and young kids using a striped tee and a favorite blue blanket.
- Plus size
- The loose-fitting t-shirt and elastic-waist athletic shorts offer a highly comfortable, flexible fit for all body types.
- pet
- Dress a pet dog as Snoopy with a simple red collar to accompany you.
Tips
- Choose a soft, lightweight fleece for the blanket so it is easy to carry around all night without feeling heavy.
- If attending an outdoor event, swap the shorts for black pants or wear black tights underneath to stay warm.
- For photos, hold the blanket to your cheek with one hand and suck your thumb on the other hand for the iconic Linus pose.
Linus van Pelt costume FAQ
- What kind of blanket does Linus carry?
- Linus carries a simple, solid light blue security blanket, which is typically depicted as a soft flannel or fleece material.
- How do I make a DIY Linus shirt?
- Start with a plain red crewneck t-shirt. Use a ruler and a black fabric marker or black fabric paint to draw thin, horizontal stripes spaced about 3 to 4 inches apart across the front and back.
- Is the Linus costume comfortable for walking around?
- Yes, it is one of the most comfortable costumes possible, consisting of a standard t-shirt, shorts, sneakers, and a soft blanket.
Did you know? Linus's famous security blanket is credited with popularizing the term 'security blanket' in the English language during the 1950s.