Running of the Bulls Costume
Recreate the iconic, high-energy look of Pamplona's historic festival.
The Running of the Bulls costume is inspired by the traditional attire worn during the San Fermín festival in Pamplona, Spain. Popular for its clean, striking color contrast and high-energy vibe, this look is incredibly easy to put together. It consists of a classic white outfit accented by a vibrant red sash and neckerchief.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~15 min
- Budget
- $20–50
Try it on
See yourself as Running of the Bulls
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What you need for a Running of the Bulls costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Running of the Bulls costume — one box instead of 6 pieces.
White shirt
A plain white short-sleeve t-shirt, linen shirt, or polo.
DIY: Use any clean, solid white shirt from your closet.
White pants or shorts
White jeans, chinos, linen trousers, or comfortable white athletic shorts.
DIY: White sweatpants or light-colored khaki pants if white is unavailable.
Red neckerchief (Pañuelico)
A square red bandana or scarf folded into a triangle and tied around the neck.
DIY: Cut a square of red cotton fabric.
Red waist sash (Faja)
A long red fabric sash, scarf, or belt tied around the waist with the ends hanging down.
DIY: Use a long strip of red fabric or a wide red ribbon.
White sneakers
Comfortable, clean white athletic shoes or canvas sneakers.
DIY: Any comfortable running shoes you already own.
Rolled newspaper
A rolled-up newspaper to hold, traditionally used to draw the bulls' attention.
DIY: Roll up a real newspaper and secure it with a rubber band.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Running of the Bulls costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the clean white shirt and white pants or shorts.
- 2
Fold the red bandana diagonally into a triangle, roll it slightly, and tie it securely around your neck with the knot at the back.
- 3
Wrap the red sash or fabric strip around your waist, tying it on the left side so the ends hang down along your thigh.
- 4
Lace up a pair of comfortable white sneakers.
- 5
Roll up a newspaper tightly to carry as your main prop.
- 6
Optional: Add a red wristband or a small toy bull accessory to complete the theme.
Makeup & hair
Keep hair neat, practical, and athletic. No makeup is required, though a light touch of bronzer or faux sweat can add to the high-energy, outdoor festival look.
Running of the Bulls for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- One person dresses as the runner in white and red, while the other wears a brown or black bull costume.
- group
- Have multiple runners in matching white and red outfits, with one or two people dressed in full bull costumes chasing the group.
- kids
- A miniature version of the white outfit with a red felt sash and neckerchief, paired with a plush bull toy.
- Plus size
- Linen shirts and elastic-waist white pants offer a comfortable, breathable, and highly adjustable fit.
- pet
- A small red bandana for your dog, or a plush bull horn headband.
Tips
- Wear comfortable shoes if you plan on walking or running around at a party.
- Secure the waist sash tightly so it does not slip down or unravel during movement.
- Keep a stain remover pen handy, as all-white outfits are highly susceptible to spills.
- Carry a rolled-up newspaper to make the costume instantly recognizable instead of looking like general resort wear.
Running of the Bulls costume FAQ
- What is the traditional outfit for the Running of the Bulls?
- The traditional attire consists of a white shirt and white pants, accented by a red neckerchief (pañuelico) and a red waist sash (faja).
- Why do runners wear white and red?
- The white represents the clothing of the historic butchers who started the tradition, while the red honors San Fermín, the patron saint of Pamplona.
- Is this costume easy to DIY?
- Yes, it is one of the easiest DIY costumes. You only need basic white clothing and two pieces of red fabric or bandanas.
Did you know? The tradition of wearing white with a red neckerchief and sash actually started in the 1930s as a way to create a uniform look among the festival attendees.