
North Costume
Bring the holiday spirit with a warrior twist as Nicholas St. North.
Nicholas St. North from Rise of the Guardians is a fierce, sword-wielding, Russian-accented take on Santa Claus. Fans choose this costume to bring a powerful, adventurous energy to holiday events and cosplay conventions. The look centers on a heavy red coat with dark fur trim, dual swords, and his signature 'Naughty' and 'Nice' forearm tattoos.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- ~45 min
- Budget
- $60–150
Try it on
See yourself as North
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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What you need for a North costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete North costume — one box instead of 7 pieces.
Red Russian-style coat
A long, heavy crimson coat or robe trimmed with thick dark brown or black faux fur.
DIY: Add dark faux fur trim to a long red bathrobe or winter coat using fabric glue.
Black fur ushanka hat
A tall, Russian-style black faux fur hat without ear flaps down.
DIY: Use a black beanie and wrap it in black faux fur fabric.
Wide black leather belt
A thick black waist belt featuring a large, prominent gold buckle.
DIY: Cut a strip of black vinyl and attach a cardboard buckle painted gold.
White beard and mustache set
A full, bushy white beard and matching mustache that covers the lower face.
DIY: Glue white cotton batting or wool roving onto a felt backing with elastic straps.
Dual cutlass swords
Two toy pirate-style cutlasses or sabers with curved silver blades and gold hilts.
DIY: Cut the sword shapes out of sturdy cardboard and paint them with metallic silver and gold spray paint.
Forearm tattoos
Temporary tattoos or body paint spelling out 'Naughty' on the right arm and 'Nice' on the left arm in gothic script.
DIY: Write the words directly on your forearms using a black waterproof eyeliner pen.
Black knee-high boots
Heavy-duty black leather boots or boot covers worn over dark pants.
DIY: Wear black rain boots or wrap black fabric boot covers over standard black shoes.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made North costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on a basic red long-sleeve undershirt and dark grey or black pants.
- 2
Slip into the long red coat, ensuring the dark fur trim is visible along the collar and cuffs.
- 3
Fasten the wide black leather belt tightly over the coat at your waist to secure the look.
- 4
Apply the temporary 'Naughty' tattoo to your right forearm and 'Nice' to your left forearm, or draw them on with eyeliner.
- 5
Secure the white beard and mustache set, blending it with your natural hairline if necessary.
- 6
Place the black fur ushanka hat firmly on your head, sitting just above your eyebrows.
- 7
Tuck your pants into the black knee-high boots and carry your dual cutlass swords.
Makeup & hair
Keep your natural hair tucked under the hat. Focus on securing the bushy white beard and mustache, and use a bit of bronzer or red blush on your cheeks to mimic a cold, winter-weather flush.
North for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair with Toothiana (The Tooth Fairy) or Jack Frost for a magical duo.
- group
- Assemble the Guardians with Jack Frost, Bunnymund, Toothiana, and Sandy.
- kids
- A mini red coat, plush swords, and a soft white beard make a cozy kid-friendly version.
- Plus size
- A loose-fitting, open-front red robe with an adjustable wide belt accommodates all sizes comfortably.
- pet
- A small red holiday cape and a tiny black hat for your dog.
Tips
- Keep the sleeves of the coat rolled up slightly to show off your 'Naughty' and 'Nice' forearm tattoos.
- If wearing this to a convention, ensure your toy swords are made of foam or plastic to pass safety checks.
- Use spirit gum to secure the beard around your mouth so it stays in place while talking and eating.
- Opt for a lightweight fabric coat if you plan to wear this indoors, as heavy faux fur can get very warm.
North costume FAQ
- What does North have tattooed on his arms?
- He has 'Naughty' tattooed on his right forearm and 'Nice' tattooed on his left forearm in bold, black gothic lettering.
- How can I make the swords look realistic?
- Use plastic toy cutlasses and apply a coat of metallic silver spray paint to the blades, followed by a dark wash of watered-down black acrylic paint to give them a weathered, battle-worn look.
- Is this costume suitable for warm weather?
- The heavy coat and fur hat can get hot. To adapt it for warmer weather, wear a red short-sleeved tunic with lightweight faux fur trim instead of a heavy winter coat.
Did you know? In Rise of the Guardians, North's character is voiced by Alec Baldwin, who gave him a booming Russian accent to match his warrior-like backstory.