Raphael Costume
Channel the tough, hot-headed rebel of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
As the muscle of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Raphael is famous for his hot temper, fierce loyalty, and signature red gear. This costume captures his classic 1980s animated and comic book look, featuring his red bandana, elbow and knee pads, and twin sai weapons. It is a highly recognizable, action-ready outfit that is perfect for solo cosplayers or group themes.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- ~45 min
- Budget
- $35–90
Try it on
See yourself as Raphael
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 Raphael costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Raphael costume — one box instead of 7 pieces.
Green bodysuit or jumpsuit
A form-fitting, solid kelly green spandex bodysuit or long-sleeve shirt and leggings set.
DIY: Use a matching green long-sleeve t-shirt and green sweatpants.
Yellow chest plate
A light yellow or tan oval patch representing the turtle's plastron (front shell).
DIY: Cut a large oval out of yellow felt or craft foam and safety pin or fabric glue it to the front of the green shirt.
Turtle shell backpack
A molded green or brown turtle shell worn on the back with shoulder straps.
DIY: Paint a large oval turkey roasting pan dark green and attach brown elastic straps.
Red eye mask
A red fabric strip with eye holes cut out, tied securely around the head.
DIY: Cut a strip of stretchy red jersey fabric, cut two eye slits, and tie it behind your head.
Red elbow and knee pads
Matching set of red athletic-style slip-on pads for the joints.
DIY: Wrap strips of red felt or wide red elastic bands around your elbows and knees.
Brown belt
A wide brown faux-leather belt with a circular buckle featuring the letter 'R'.
DIY: Use a standard brown belt and attach a circular cardboard cutout painted white with a red letter 'R'.
Twin Sai weapons
A pair of silver plastic toy sai daggers with black wrapped hilts.
DIY: Cut the shapes out of thick cardboard, wrap the blades in silver duct tape, and wrap the handles in black electrical tape.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Raphael costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the green bodysuit or the matching green shirt and pants.
- 2
Secure the yellow felt chest plate to the front center of your torso using fabric glue or safety pins.
- 3
Tie the red fabric mask over your eyes, aligning the cutouts so you can see clearly.
- 4
Slide the red pads onto your elbows and knees, positioning them securely over the joints.
- 5
Fasten the brown belt around your waist, positioning the 'R' buckle directly in the center.
- 6
Strap the turtle shell backpack onto your back, adjusting the straps so it sits high and snug.
- 7
Tuck the twin toy sai weapons into the sides of your belt so they are easily accessible.
Makeup & hair
Since the red mask covers your eyes and forehead, hair should be slicked back or tucked under a green wig cap. No complex makeup is needed, but you can apply green face paint to any exposed skin around your neck and ears to match the bodysuit.
Raphael for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair up with April O'Neil in her classic yellow jumpsuit, or Casey Jones wearing a hockey mask.
- group
- Assemble the full TMNT squad with Leonardo (blue), Donatello (purple), and Michelangelo (orange).
- kids
- Use a comfortable green fleece onesie with a soft plush shell and a felt mask for safety.
- Plus size
- Opt for a loose-fitting green sweat suit instead of a tight bodysuit for a comfortable, breathable fit.
- pet
- A green pet t-shirt paired with a lightweight, strap-on foam shell and a small red collar bandana.
Tips
- Make sure your toy weapons are securely tucked into your belt so your hands remain free during parties.
- Wear comfortable green or black sneakers, as the costume does not traditionally include matching footwear.
- If wearing a full spandex bodysuit, plan ahead by wearing lightweight, moisture-wicking undergarments beneath it.
- Practice your best tough-guy crossing-arms pose for photos to capture Raphael's signature attitude.
Raphael costume FAQ
- What color does Raphael wear?
- Raphael wears bright red masks, elbow pads, and knee pads to distinguish himself from his brothers.
- What weapons does Raphael use?
- Raphael fights using a pair of sai, which are traditional pointed, three-pronged ninja daggers.
- How do I make a DIY Raphael shell?
- You can paint a disposable aluminum roasting pan dark green, draw shell segments with a black marker, and hot glue brown nylon straps to the inside.
Did you know? In the original Mirage Studios comic books, all four Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles actually wore red bandanas; Raphael was the only one who kept the red color when the 1987 animated series gave each turtle a unique color.