Robber Costume
Steal the show with this classic, easy-to-assemble burglar look.
The classic robber (or burglar) is one of the most recognizable and easy-to-make costumes for Halloween. Perfect for last-minute parties, this look relies on a timeless black-and-white striped aesthetic paired with iconic criminal props. It is highly customizable, comfortable, and instantly understood by everyone.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~15 min
- Budget
- $15–40
Try it on
See yourself as Robber
One clear photo of yourself; we render you in this costume — face untouched, full body, about 20 seconds.
One render, $1. No account needed — if it fails you're not charged. Pricing.
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Want a different costume on this photo, or a whole group in costume? Open the Try-On Studio.
What you need for a Robber costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Robber costume — one box instead of 6 pieces.
Striped shirt
A long-sleeve crewneck shirt or hoodie with horizontal black and white stripes.
DIY: Use a plain white long-sleeve shirt and draw black horizontal stripes using a thick black fabric marker.
Black pants
Simple black jeans, leggings, or sweatpants.
DIY: Any dark denim or black trousers from your closet will work perfectly.
Black beanie
A snug-fitting black knit stocking cap or watch cap.
DIY: Fold up the brim of a dark grey or black winter hat.
Black eye mask
A simple black felt domino mask that ties behind the head or has an elastic band.
DIY: Cut an eye mask shape out of black felt or cardboard and attach a black elastic string.
Canvas money bag
A small beige or off-white canvas drawstring bag with a large dollar sign ($) printed on the front.
DIY: Draw a large black dollar sign on a plain canvas tote bag or pillowcase using a black marker.
Black gloves
Lightweight black jersey or stretch gloves.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Robber costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the black pants and the black-and-white striped long-sleeve shirt.
- 2
Tuck the shirt in or leave it loose depending on your preferred fit.
- 3
Pull the black knit beanie over your head, covering your ears.
- 4
Secure the black domino mask over your eyes, ensuring you can see clearly.
- 5
Slip on the black gloves to complete the stealthy look.
- 6
Carry the canvas money bag prop in one hand, optionally stuffing it with crumpled paper to make it look full.
Makeup & hair
Keep hair tucked completely inside the black beanie. No complex makeup is needed, but you can add a light layer of dark eyeshadow around the eyes to blend with the mask edges.
Robber for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair up as a duo of bank robbers, or have one person dress as a police officer and the other as the robber.
- group
- Form a heist crew with everyone wearing matching striped shirts, beanies, and numbered inmate tags.
- kids
- A comfortable option for kids using a striped hoodie, black sweatpants, a soft felt mask, and a small felt candy bag.
- Plus size
- A loose-fitting striped crewneck sweatshirt paired with comfortable black joggers provides an easy, flexible fit.
- pet
- A simple black-and-white striped dog t-shirt paired with a tiny plush money bag toy.
Tips
- Keep your hands free during parties by choosing a money bag with long drawstring straps that you can wear like a backpack.
- If wearing the mask for long periods is uncomfortable, use black face paint to draw a mask shape directly around your eyes.
- Stuff the money bag with lightweight tissue paper or bubble wrap so it looks heavy without actually weighing you down.
Robber costume FAQ
- What does a classic robber costume need?
- The essential elements are a black-and-white striped shirt, a black beanie, a black eye mask, black gloves, and a canvas bag with a dollar sign on it.
- How do you make a DIY money bag?
- Take a plain canvas bag, pillowcase, or burlap sack, and draw a large, bold dollar sign ($) on the front using a thick black permanent marker or fabric paint.
- Is a robber costume warm enough for cold weather?
- Yes, because it uses long sleeves, pants, a beanie, and gloves, it is very easy to layer thermal underwear underneath for outdoor trick-or-treating.
Did you know? The iconic black-and-white striped outfit associated with burglars stems from historical 19th-century prison uniforms, designed to make escaped convicts easily identifiable in public.