Mermaid Man Costume
To the invisible boatmobile! Unleash Bikini Bottom's greatest retired superhero.
Mermaid Man is the hilariously forgetful, semi-retired underwater superhero from SpongeBob SquarePants who lives in Shady Shoals Rest Home. Fans love dressing up as him for his nostalgic charm, comedic appeal, and instantly recognizable silhouette. The classic look features a bright orange top, green tights, a purple seashell bra worn on the outside, and a signature pink starfish mask.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- ~45 min
- Budget
- $35–75
Try it on
See yourself as Mermaid Man
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What you need for a Mermaid Man costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Mermaid Man costume — one box instead of 8 pieces.
Orange long-sleeve shirt
A tight-fitting, bright orange crewneck long-sleeve shirt or rash guard.
DIY: Use a plain orange t-shirt or dye a white long-sleeve shirt orange.
Green leggings or tights
Bright lime green or kelly green footless tights or snug leggings.
DIY: Use green scrub pants or tight green sweatpants.
Purple seashell bra
A classic mermaid-style purple seashell bra, worn directly over the orange shirt.
DIY: Cut two large seashell shapes out of purple craft foam and safety pin them to the chest of your shirt.
Black swim briefs or shorts
Snug black swim briefs, speedos, or short athletic shorts worn over the green tights.
DIY: Use any pair of tight black boxer briefs or cut the legs off old black sweatpants.
Yellow utility belt with 'M' buckle
A bright yellow belt featuring a large, prominent black or blue letter 'M' on the buckle.
DIY: Wrap a yellow strap or ribbon around your waist and attach a cardboard circle painted yellow with a black 'M' drawn on it.
Green gloves
Mid-forearm length green dishwashing gloves or fabric costume gloves.
DIY: Use standard green rubber cleaning gloves from the grocery store.
Pink fuzzy slippers
Plush, slip-on pink house slippers to complete his retired-hero aesthetic.
DIY: Glue pink pom-poms or pink felt onto an old pair of slip-on shoes.
Starfish mask
A small pink or light purple starfish mask that sits directly over the nose and cheeks.
DIY: Cut a five-pointed star shape out of pink felt or craft foam, cut a hole in the center for your nose, and attach an elastic band.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Mermaid Man costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the bright green leggings or tights first.
- 2
Pull the black swim briefs or shorts on over the green leggings.
- 3
Put on the bright orange long-sleeve shirt, tucking it securely into the black briefs.
- 4
Position the purple seashell bra over your chest on top of the orange shirt, tying or pinning it securely in place.
- 5
Fasten the yellow utility belt around your waist, aligning the 'M' buckle directly in the center.
- 6
Slip on the green gloves and step into the pink fuzzy slippers.
- 7
Secure the pink starfish mask over your nose and eyes using the elastic strap, and put on your white wig.
Makeup & hair
Wear a short, slicked-back white wig to capture his elderly look. If you don't have a physical starfish mask, you can use pink and purple face paint to draw a five-pointed starfish directly over your nose and cheeks.
Mermaid Man for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair up with Barnacle Boy, who wears a red shirt, blue gloves, a black eye mask, a blue neck scarf, and a white sailor hat.
- group
- Form a Bikini Bottom squad with SpongeBob, Patrick, Squidward, and Sandy Cheeks.
- kids
- Scale down the look with a comfortable orange t-shirt, green sweatpants, and a felt starfish mask for a cozy kid-friendly version.
- Plus size
- Opt for a loose-fitting orange sweatshirt and comfortable green joggers instead of tight spandex for a relaxed, highly breathable fit.
- pet
- Dress your dog in a simple orange tee with two purple felt circles glued to the back to mimic the seashell look.
Tips
- If you are wearing this costume outdoors, choose thick green leggings and wear comfortable socks inside your pink slippers to keep your feet warm.
- Make sure the seashell bra is securely pinned to your orange shirt so it doesn't slide down or shift while you walk.
- Practice your best dramatic delivery of the word 'EVIL!' for hilarious photo opportunities throughout the night.
- Keep the starfish mask lightweight so it doesn't press too hard against your nose and restrict your breathing.
Mermaid Man costume FAQ
- What does Mermaid Man wear on his face?
- Mermaid Man wears a light pink or purple starfish over his nose and cheeks, which acts as his mask and breathing apparatus.
- How do you make a DIY Mermaid Man belt?
- You can make the belt using a strip of yellow fabric or a yellow webbed belt, then cut a circle out of yellow cardboard, draw a bold black 'M' on it, and tape or glue it over the buckle.
- What color are Mermaid Man's slippers?
- Mermaid Man wears light pink, plush, fuzzy house slippers, highlighting his funny, retired lifestyle.
- Is the Mermaid Man costume comfortable for a long night?
- Yes, especially if you swap tight spandex for a soft orange long-sleeve tee and green cotton leggings, making it easy to move around in.
Did you know? Mermaid Man was voiced by legendary Oscar-winning actor Ernest Borgnine, who brought a wonderfully dramatic and gravelly energy to the beloved, senile character.