Scarecrow Costume
Bring the beloved, brain-seeking straw man to life with this classic look.
The Scarecrow from The Wizard of Oz is one of cinema's most beloved characters, making him a perennial favorite for Halloween and cosplay. This iconic look features a floppy green tunic, patched brown trousers, a pointed burlap hat, and plenty of straw peeping out from the cuffs. It is a highly recognizable, nostalgic costume that works perfectly for solo dress-up or as part of a group theme.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- ~45 min
- Budget
- $30–80
Try it on
See yourself as Scarecrow
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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 Scarecrow costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Scarecrow costume — one box instead of 6 pieces.
Green long-sleeve tunic
A loose-fitting, long-sleeve green shirt or tunic, preferably in a rough cotton or felt texture, tied at the waist with a rope.
DIY: Use an oversized green long-sleeve t-shirt and cut the hem and cuffs into jagged, uneven points.
Brown patched trousers
Loose-fitting brown pants with colorful felt patches sewn or glued onto the knees.
DIY: Take old brown sweatpants or slacks and fabric-glue square patches of yellow, red, and blue felt to them.
Rope belt and ties
Thick jute or hemp rope to tie around the waist, wrists, and ankles.
DIY: Cut lengths of standard clothesline rope or thick twine from a hardware store.
Pointed burlap hat
A floppy, conical hat made of brown burlap or dark brown felt, featuring a crumpled crown.
DIY: Roll a sheet of brown felt into a cone, fabric-glue it together, and attach a floppy circular brim.
Raffia or faux straw
Bundles of natural raffia to simulate straw stuffing emerging from the collar, sleeves, and pant cuffs.
DIY: Cut strips of tan paper bags or yellow yarn to mimic the look of dry straw.
Burlap collar hood
A light brown burlap or fabric hood that covers the neck and shoulders, worn under the hat.
DIY: Cut a hole in the center of a square piece of burlap fabric to slip over your head like a poncho.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Scarecrow costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the brown patched trousers first.
- 2
Slip the burlap collar hood over your head so it rests on your shoulders.
- 3
Put on the green tunic over the hood, pulling the collar of the hood out so it sits on top of the tunic.
- 4
Tie the thick jute rope around your waist, leaving the ends hanging loose.
- 5
Tuck bundles of raffia into your sleeve cuffs, pant cuffs, and collar, securing them with smaller pieces of rope tied around your wrists and ankles.
- 6
Place the floppy pointed burlap hat on your head, adjusting it to sit slightly tilted.
- 7
Put on simple brown boots or work shoes to complete the outfit.
Makeup & hair
Apply a patch of orange or red face paint on the nose in a triangle shape, outlining it with black eyeliner and adding stitch marks. Keep hair tucked completely under the burlap hood and hat.
Scarecrow for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair up with Dorothy, the Tin Man, or the Cowardly Lion for a classic Yellow Brick Road duo.
- group
- Assemble the full Wizard of Oz cast, including Dorothy, Tin Man, Cowardly Lion, Glinda, and the Wicked Witch.
- kids
- Use a soft green fleece sweatshirt and brown sweatpants with felt patches for a comfortable, itch-free kids' version.
- Plus size
- Choose an oversized green tunic or a soft knit fabric that drapes comfortably, securing it gently with the rope belt.
- pet
- A small green felt cape with a tiny pointed burlap hat makes an adorable pet costume.
Tips
- Raffia can be itchy against bare skin; wear a long-sleeve undershirt and leggings beneath the costume for comfort.
- If using real burlap, shake it out thoroughly outdoors beforehand to minimize shedding and loose fibers.
- For outdoor events, the loose layers and long sleeves provide excellent warmth, but you can easily size up to wear thermal layers underneath.
Scarecrow costume FAQ
- How do you make a DIY Scarecrow costume from The Wizard of Oz?
- You can easily DIY this look using a green long-sleeve shirt, brown pants, and fabric glue to attach colorful felt patches. Use thick rope for the belt and tie bundles of craft raffia inside the cuffs to look like straw.
- What kind of hat does the Wizard of Oz Scarecrow wear?
- He wears a floppy, pointed conical hat made of dark brown burlap or felt, which sits over a lighter brown burlap hood that covers his neck.
- Is the Scarecrow costume comfortable to wear?
- It can be itchy if real burlap and raffia touch your skin. Wearing a soft cotton undershirt, leggings, and using synthetic raffia or yellow yarn instead of real straw will make it highly comfortable.
Did you know? In the classic 1939 film, actor Ray Bolger's scarecrow makeup was made of a rubber prosthetic that left temporary burlap-like lines on his face for years after filming wrapped.