How do you make a DIY raccoon tail?

You can make an easy DIY tail by stuffing a long gray sock with polyester fiberfill or newspaper, then painting black horizontal stripes around it with acrylic or fabric paint.

What makeup do I need for a raccoon costume?

All you need is black face paint or dark eyeshadow to create a thick 'bandit mask' shape across your eyes, plus a small black circle on the tip of your nose.

What should I wear under a raccoon costume?

Wear comfortable black leggings, jeans, or sweatpants to match the dark accents of the raccoon's limbs.

AI-generated example

Raccoon Costume

Embrace your inner trash panda with this easy, cozy woodland look.

The raccoon is one of North America's most recognizable woodland creatures, famous for its mischievous nature and clever paws. People love this costume because it is incredibly cozy, instantly recognizable, and easy to put together using simple gray and black basics. The signature look relies on three key elements: a black eye mask, a ringed tail, and pointed ears.

Difficulty: Easy
Time: ~30 min
Budget: $15–50

See yourself as Raccoon →What you need Buy the Raccoon costume

Try it on

See yourself as Raccoon

One clear photo of yourself; we render you in this costume — face untouched, full body, about 20 seconds.

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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.

Raccoon costume — Example look · AI-generated

You as Raccoon

Result

What you need for a Raccoon costume

Short on time? Buy it ready-made

Spirit Halloween sells the complete Raccoon costume — one box instead of 5 pieces.

Shop Raccoon at Spirit ↗

Gray hoodie or jumpsuit
A solid heather gray zip-up hoodie or a full-body gray fleece jumpsuit serves as the base of the animal's coat.
DIY: Use any oversized gray sweatshirt or long-sleeve tee you already own.
Amazon
Raccoon ears headband
Pointed gray felt or faux-fur ears with black and white inner lining, attached to a comfortable black headband.
DIY: Cut ear shapes out of gray and black felt and hot glue them to a plain plastic headband.
Amazon
Black eye mask
A classic black fabric or felt bandit-style eye mask that covers the immediate eye area.
DIY: Cut a classic mask shape out of black felt or use black face paint around the eyes.
Amazon
Striped ringed tail
A plush, stuffed tail featuring alternating horizontal bands of gray and black fur or fabric.
DIY: Stuff a gray knee-high sock and paint horizontal black stripes on it using fabric paint, then safety pin it to your pants.
Amazon
Black gloves
Simple black knit gloves to mimic the raccoon's highly dexterous, dark-furred front paws.
DIY: Use black fingerless gloves or paint your fingernails black.
Amazon

Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Raccoon costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗

How to put it together

1
Put on the gray hoodie, jumpsuit, or sweatshirt as your base layer.
2
Secure the striped raccoon tail to the back of your waistband or pants using a heavy-duty safety pin.
3
Place the raccoon ears headband comfortably on your head, pulling some hair forward if desired.
4
Tie or strap the black bandit mask over your eyes, ensuring you have clear visibility.
5
Slip on the black knit gloves to complete the look of dark, dexterous paws.
6
Carry a clean, unused small metal trash can or a cardboard box labeled 'Trash' as a funny prop.

Makeup & hair

If not using a physical mask, apply black face paint in a wide band across your eyes and nose, blending outward. Paint a small black button nose on the tip of your nose, and keep your hair simple or tucked under the gray hood.

Raccoon for couples, groups, kids & more

couples: Pair up as a Raccoon and a shiny garbage can, or go as a pair of 'Trash Pandas' raiding a recycling bin.
group: Form a forest animal squad with friends dressed as opossums, skunks, squirrels, and deer.
kids: A cozy one-piece fleece raccoon jumpsuit with an attached hood and tail is perfect for keeping warm while trick-or-treating.
Plus size: An oversized gray fleece hoodie paired with black leggings provides a comfortable, flexible, and flattering fit.
pet: A simple gray dog sweater paired with a lightweight striped plush tail attached to the harness.

Tips

For outdoor trick-or-treating, choose a thick fleece hoodie to stay warm without needing a jacket over your costume.
If using a physical mask, ensure the eye holes are wide enough for safe navigation in low-light settings.
Add a funny touch to photos by posing near a clean recycling bin or holding a half-eaten clean snack wrapper.
Keep your hands free by using a clean, small metal bucket with a handle as your candy bucket.

Raccoon costume FAQ

How do you make a DIY raccoon tail?: You can make an easy DIY tail by stuffing a long gray sock with polyester fiberfill or newspaper, then painting black horizontal stripes around it with acrylic or fabric paint.
What makeup do I need for a raccoon costume?: All you need is black face paint or dark eyeshadow to create a thick 'bandit mask' shape across your eyes, plus a small black circle on the tip of your nose.
What should I wear under a raccoon costume?: Wear comfortable black leggings, jeans, or sweatpants to match the dark accents of the raccoon's limbs.

Did you know? Raccoons are incredibly intelligent creatures that can remember solutions to complex tasks and puzzles for up to three years.