Pick Me Up Costume
Create the hilarious illusion of being carried away by an alien or monster.
The 'Pick Me Up' costume (also known as a piggyback or carry-me costume) is a popular, hilarious choice for parties and Halloween. It uses an inflatable design with fake dangling legs to make it look like an alien, dinosaur, or monster is carrying you on its back. The look is instantly recognizable, incredibly funny, and surprisingly easy to wear.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~15 min
- Budget
- $30–60
Try it on
See yourself as Pick Me Up
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 Pick Me Up costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Pick Me Up costume — one box instead of 4 pieces.
Inflatable Pick Me Up Suit
An all-in-one inflatable jumpsuit, most commonly featuring a green alien or a T-Rex with attached fake human legs dangling in front.
Built-in Air Fan and Battery Pack
The small electric fan that clips into the suit's dedicated port to keep it fully inflated.
AA Batteries or Power Bank
Four high-quality AA batteries or a portable USB power bank to run the inflation fan.
Simple T-Shirt
A plain, lightweight cotton t-shirt to wear on your upper body, matching the style of the dummy legs.
DIY: Use any solid-colored t-shirt from your closet.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Pick Me Up costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Insert 4 fresh AA batteries into the battery pack, or connect a fully charged USB power bank.
- 2
Step into the legs of the inflatable suit, ensuring your real feet go all the way through the elastic ankle cuffs.
- 3
Pull the suit up to your waist and tighten the drawstring or elastic waistband securely to prevent air from escaping.
- 4
Clip the battery pack to your pants pocket or waistband inside the suit.
- 5
Turn on the fan switch; the suit will begin to inflate around your lower body within 60 seconds.
- 6
Adjust the fake dangling legs in front so they sit naturally, making it look like you are being carried.
Makeup & hair
Keep your hair and makeup simple and natural, or add a look of mock panic or surprise to match the comedic theme of being abducted.
Pick Me Up for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- One person wears the alien pick-me-up suit while the other wears an astronaut costume.
- group
- A group can dress as an entire 'abduction squad' using different versions like the alien, gorilla, and dinosaur carry-me suits.
- kids
- Available in kids' sizes, often featuring friendly dinosaurs or mythical creatures.
- Plus size
- Most inflatable suits feature highly adjustable elastic waistbands that comfortably fit a wide range of body sizes.
Tips
- Always carry spare AA batteries or an extra power bank in case the fan runs out of juice mid-party.
- Make sure the elastic bands at the waist and ankles are snug to maintain proper air pressure and keep the suit fully inflated.
- Wear lightweight, breathable clothing underneath, as the sealed plastic material of the suit can trap body heat.
- Exaggerate your reactions in photos—pretend to scream, struggle, or look completely relaxed for maximum comedic effect.
Pick Me Up costume FAQ
- How does a Pick Me Up costume work?
- It uses a built-in, battery-operated fan to blow air into the suit. Your real legs go into the legs of the creature carrying you, while stuffed dummy legs drape over the front to look like your own.
- Can you sit down in an inflatable pick-me-up costume?
- Yes, but you will need to gently squash the air out as you sit. The fan will automatically reinflate the suit once you stand back up.
- How long do the batteries last?
- A standard set of four AA batteries will power the fan for about 4 hours. Using a portable USB power bank can extend this time significantly.
Did you know? The illusion works so well because the human brain quickly prioritizes the visual of the dangling fake legs, instantly registering the wearer as being suspended in mid-air.