Pencil Costume
Write your own Halloween story with this classic No. 2 pencil look.
The pencil costume is a beloved, lighthearted choice for teachers, students, and classic Halloween fans alike. Instantly recognizable, this look mimics a traditional yellow No. 2 pencil, complete with a pink eraser top and a pointed lead tip. It is a comfortable, family-friendly outfit that is perfect for school pep rallies, classroom parties, and trick-or-treating.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~15 min
- Budget
- $15–45
Try it on
See yourself as Pencil
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 Pencil costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Pencil costume — one box instead of 5 pieces.
Yellow body tunic
A bright yellow sleeveless tunic or long-sleeve shirt, ideally featuring a vertical 'No. 2' graphic printed on the front.
DIY: Use a long yellow t-shirt or felt fabric and write 'No. 2' down the front using a black fabric marker.
Pointed pencil hat
A cone-shaped hat featuring a tan base and a black tip to represent the sharpened wood and graphite lead.
DIY: Roll a sheet of tan poster board into a cone, tape it secure, and paint the very tip black.
Pink collar or band
A pink band worn around the neck or shoulders to represent the classic pencil eraser.
DIY: Cut a strip of pink felt or wear a pink scarf around your neck.
Silver metallic band
A silver or gray band representing the metal ferrule that holds the eraser in place.
DIY: Wrap silver duct tape or metallic ribbon around the top of your yellow shirt just below the pink collar.
Black pants or leggings
Simple, solid black leggings or trousers to keep the focus on the pencil body.
DIY: Use any pair of dark black pants or leggings already in your closet.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Pencil costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the black pants or leggings as your comfortable base layer.
- 2
Slip on the yellow tunic or long yellow t-shirt over your head.
- 3
Attach the silver metallic band or ribbon just above the yellow section of your outfit.
- 4
Position the pink collar or scarf directly above the silver band to establish the eraser section.
- 5
Place the cone-shaped pencil tip hat securely on your head.
- 6
Adjust the tunic so the 'No. 2' lettering is centered and clearly visible.
Makeup & hair
Keep hair pulled back or tucked flat under the cone hat so the pencil point shape remains clean and sharp. Makeup can be kept natural, or you can add fun yellow and pink face paint accents on your cheeks.
Pencil for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair up with someone dressed as a piece of lined notebook paper or a manual pencil sharpener.
- group
- Go as a full pack of colored pencils by having friends wear different colored tunics with matching pointed hats.
- kids
- A simple yellow felt sandwich-board tunic with a soft fabric cone hat is lightweight and easy for school parades.
- Plus size
- A loose-fitting, A-line yellow dress or an oversized yellow t-shirt provides a comfortable, flexible fit.
- pet
- A yellow dog sweater with a small pink felt collar and a soft, lightweight plush cone hat strapped gently under the chin.
Tips
- If using a poster board hat, attach an elastic chin strap to keep it secure while walking.
- Wear comfortable black sneakers, as you will likely be standing or walking at school events.
- Keep the tunic loose enough to layer a warm black long-sleeve shirt underneath for chilly outdoor trick-or-treating.
- Ensure the 'No. 2' text is written in bold, thick block letters so it photographs clearly from a distance.
Pencil costume FAQ
- How do you make a DIY pencil hat?
- Roll a piece of tan poster board or cardstock into a cone shape that fits your head, tape it secure, and color the top two inches black with a marker to look like pencil lead.
- What is the metal part of the pencil costume called?
- It is called the ferrule. You can easily recreate this in your costume using silver duct tape, gray felt, or metallic silver ribbon.
- Is this costume suitable for teachers?
- Yes, it is highly popular among elementary school teachers because it is fun, recognizable, comfortable to wear all day, and completely school-appropriate.
Did you know? The classic yellow color of the No. 2 pencil dates back to the 1890s, when manufacturers painted them yellow to signal high quality and royalty, as yellow was associated with the Chinese imperial court.