Prisoner Costume
The ultimate classic jailbird look that is incredibly easy to style.
The classic prisoner costume is a timeless Halloween favorite because it is instantly recognizable and highly customizable. Whether you choose the vintage black-and-white stripes or a modern orange jumpsuit, this look is perfect for solo wearers, couples, or groups. The standard outfit consists of a striped matching set, a matching pillbox hat, and optional prop handcuffs.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~15 min
- Budget
- $15–45
Try it on
See yourself as Prisoner
One clear photo of yourself; we render you in this costume — face untouched, full body, about 20 seconds.
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Want a different costume on this photo, or a whole group in costume? Open the Try-On Studio.
What you need for a Prisoner costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Prisoner costume — one box instead of 5 pieces.
Striped shirt and pants
A matching set of horizontal black and white striped long-sleeve shirt and pants.
DIY: Use fabric paint or black duct tape to create horizontal stripes on a plain white long-sleeve shirt and sweatpants.
Prisoner number patch
A white rectangular patch with a bold black identification number printed on the chest.
DIY: Draw a number on a piece of white cardstock or fabric and safety-pin it to your shirt.
Striped pillbox hat
A matching black and white horizontally striped pillbox-style hat.
DIY: Cut a strip of striped fabric, sew or glue the ends together, and attach a circular top piece.
Toy handcuffs
Plastic silver-colored handcuffs with a safety release key.
DIY: Loop grey pipe cleaners together to form a chain.
Ball and chain prop
A lightweight plastic black ball attached to a plastic chain to wear around the ankle.
DIY: Paint a foam ball black and attach it to a painted plastic chain.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Prisoner costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the black and white striped long-sleeve shirt and matching pants.
- 2
Attach the prisoner identification number patch to the left side of your chest using safety pins or fabric adhesive.
- 3
Place the striped pillbox hat securely on your head, using bobby pins if needed to keep it in place.
- 4
Secure the plastic handcuffs around one wrist or hang them from your belt loop.
- 5
Attach the lightweight plastic ball and chain around your ankle if using this prop.
Makeup & hair
Keep makeup minimal and natural, or add light grey eyeshadow smudged under the eyes and on the cheeks for a rugged, escaped convict look. Hair can be messy, slicked back, or completely hidden under the striped hat.
Prisoner for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair up as a prisoner and a police officer, or go as a famous outlaw duo like Bonnie and Clyde.
- group
- Gather a whole crew in matching striped uniforms, with one person dressed as the security guard or warden.
- kids
- A comfortable striped knit jumpsuit or onesie with a soft felt ball-and-chain prop.
- Plus size
- Opt for a loose-fitting striped scrub set or an orange jumpsuit with an elastic waistband for maximum comfort.
- pet
- A simple black and white striped pet tee with a tiny matching hat that straps under the chin.
Tips
- Wear comfortable sneakers, as you will likely be walking around; plain black or white canvas shoes work best.
- If dressing up for cold weather, wear a warm thermal layer underneath the thin striped shirt and pants.
- Keep the toy handcuff keys in your pocket so you do not lose them, or choose handcuffs with a quick-release lever.
Prisoner costume FAQ
- How can I make a DIY prisoner costume last minute?
- Wear a plain white long-sleeve shirt and pants, then use black duct tape or a thick black permanent marker to draw horizontal stripes across them.
- What is the classic prisoner number?
- There is no single official number, but many people use classic cartoon numbers like '171-616' or simply a random 6-digit sequence.
- Can I wear an orange jumpsuit instead of stripes?
- Yes, a modern orange prison jumpsuit is a highly popular alternative, often styled with a white undershirt and slip-on shoes.
Did you know? The iconic black-and-white striped prison uniforms were first introduced in New York in the 1820s to make escaping inmates immediately stand out in a crowd.