Neon Costume
Brighten up the night with electric colors and glowing retro accessories.
A neon costume is the ultimate choice for 80s throwback events, glow-in-the-dark parties, and high-visibility Halloween fun. This look relies on clashing, ultra-bright fluorescent shades like electric pink, lime green, and safety orange. By combining retro athletic wear with glowing accessories, you can easily create an eye-catching outfit that pops under blacklights.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~20 min
- Budget
- $20–50
Try it on
See yourself as Neon
One clear photo of yourself; we render you in this costume — face untouched, full body, about 20 seconds.
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What you need for a Neon costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Neon costume — one box instead of 5 pieces.
Neon bodysuit or t-shirt
A form-fitting spandex bodysuit or an oversized t-shirt in hot pink, electric lime, or bright orange.
DIY: Use a plain white t-shirt and dye it with fluorescent fabric dye.
Fishnet tights or leggings
Bright neon green, pink, or yellow fishnet tights or solid spandex leggings.
Leg warmers and wristbands
Ribbed knit leg warmers and matching terrycloth wristbands in contrasting neon shades.
DIY: Cut the feet off a pair of bright, colorful winter socks.
Tutu or running shorts
A layered tulle tutu or retro athletic dolphin shorts in a vibrant fluorescent color.
DIY: Tie strips of colorful tulle around an elastic waistband.
Glow jewelry and shutter shades
Plastic bead necklaces, jelly bracelets, and slatted shutter sunglasses that glow under UV light.
DIY: Use standard glow sticks activated right before your event.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Neon costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the base layer, such as the neon bodysuit, t-shirt, or tank top.
- 2
Pull on the neon leggings or fishnet tights, layering them under your tutu or athletic shorts.
- 3
Slide the ribbed leg warmers over your calves and pull the wristbands onto your forearms.
- 4
Layer multiple neon plastic bead necklaces and jelly bracelets on your neck and wrists.
- 5
Put on the plastic shutter shades or neon-framed sunglasses.
- 6
Incorporate glow sticks or battery-operated LED wire to make the outfit light up in the dark.
Makeup & hair
Style hair in a high side ponytail secured with a neon scrunchie. Apply bright fluorescent eyeshadow, neon pink lipstick, and UV-reactive face paint accents.
Neon for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- One person wears hot pink and yellow, while the other wears electric green and orange for a clashing, high-contrast duo.
- group
- Dress as a group of 80s aerobics instructors with matching neon leotards, headbands, and leg warmers.
- kids
- A bright neon skeleton jumpsuit or a colorful tutu outfit with glow-in-the-dark stick-on decals.
- Plus size
- An oversized neon windbreaker paired with comfortable black leggings and bright neon accessories.
- pet
- A bright neon green or pink pet bandana paired with a lightweight, colorful dog vest.
Tips
- Test your outfit under a blacklight before the event to ensure the fabrics are UV-reactive.
- Keep the rest of your footwear simple; plain white or black sneakers will make the neon socks and leg warmers pop.
- Layer a bright neon windbreaker over the outfit if you are heading out into cooler weather.
- Use battery-powered LED fairy lights tucked into a tulle skirt for an active glow in low-light settings.
Neon costume FAQ
- What colors glow best under blacklights?
- Fluorescent green, pink, yellow, and orange glow the brightest under UV blacklights. Standard blue and purple do not glow as intensely.
- How do I make a cheap neon costume?
- Start with a plain white or black outfit and layer on inexpensive neon accessories like glow sticks, bead necklaces, and bright socks.
- Can I wear a neon costume for an 80s theme?
- Yes, neon colors were highly popular in 1980s fashion, especially when paired with leg warmers, scrunchies, and retro athletic wear.
Did you know? While neon gas naturally glows red-orange when charged with electricity, other colors in 'neon' signs are created using different noble gases or fluorescent coatings.