Shower Costume
Splish splash, make a splash with this hilarious DIY costume.
The shower costume is a classic, funny DIY choice made famous by pop culture moments like the movie The Karate Kid. This clever look features a wearable shower curtain suspended around your waist, complete with an overhead showerhead and bath accessories. It is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that is surprisingly easy to build with basic hardware store finds.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- ~90 min
- Budget
- $20–50
Try it on
See yourself as Shower
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What you need for a Shower costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Shower costume — one box instead of 7 pieces.
Hula hoop
A standard plastic hula hoop to serve as the circular frame for the shower curtain.
DIY: Bend a flexible piece of PEX tubing into a circle and tape the ends together.
Shower curtain
A classic plastic shower curtain, preferably with a fun pattern like polka dots or clear blue.
PVC pipe or thick wire
A lightweight 1/2-inch PVC pipe or a heavy-duty wire hanger to support the overhead showerhead.
DIY: Use a disassembled metal wire clothes hanger straightened out.
Plastic showerhead
A lightweight, non-working plastic replacement showerhead.
DIY: Craft one out of a silver-painted plastic cup with holes poked in the bottom.
Shower cap
A bright, colorful plastic shower cap to wear on your head.
Suspenders or straps
Heavy-duty straps or suspenders to hang the hula hoop frame from your shoulders.
DIY: Use thick rope or nylon webbing straps tied securely to the hoop.
Bath loofah or sponge
A large mesh bath loofah or a classic yellow sponge to hold as a prop.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Shower costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Attach the suspenders or utility straps to opposite sides of the hula hoop so the hoop can hang horizontally at waist level.
- 2
Secure the PVC pipe or thick wire to the back of the hula hoop using zip ties and duct tape, ensuring it extends vertically and curves over your head.
- 3
Attach the lightweight plastic showerhead to the curved end of the pipe using silver duct tape or strong adhesive.
- 4
Thread the shower curtain rings through the curtain and clip them around the hula hoop, letting the curtain drape down evenly.
- 5
Put on the shoulder straps to wear the frame, adjusting the height so the curtain hangs above your ankles to prevent tripping.
- 6
Put on the colorful shower cap and hold your bath loofah or sponge to complete the look.
Makeup & hair
No complex makeup is needed. Keep your hair completely tucked inside the waterproof shower cap, or leave a few wet-looking strands framing your face.
Shower for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- One person wears the shower costume, while the other dresses as a bar of soap or a wrapped bath towel.
- group
- A spa day group featuring a shower, someone in a bathrobe with a face mask, and others wrapped in towels.
- kids
- Use a smaller hula hoop and cut the shower curtain shorter so they can walk safely without tripping.
- Plus size
- Use flexible PEX tubing cut to a custom length to create a wider, comfortable waist hoop.
- pet
- Dress a small dog in a mini shower cap and a blue t-shirt decorated with felt soap bubbles.
Tips
- Keep the overhead structure as lightweight as possible so the costume doesn't feel top-heavy or pull forward.
- Trim the bottom of the shower curtain with scissors if it is too long, ensuring it clears the ground by at least six inches.
- Wear simple, comfortable clothing underneath, like a plain white t-shirt and shorts, since you will be mostly enclosed.
Shower costume FAQ
- How do you keep the shower costume on your shoulders?
- Attach two adjustable backpack straps or heavy-duty suspenders to the hula hoop frame so it rests comfortably on your shoulders like a harness.
- What is the best way to make the showerhead stand up?
- Use a lightweight PVC pipe or a sturdy wire coat hanger secured tightly to the back of the hula hoop frame with zip ties and duct tape.
- Can I recreate the Karate Kid shower costume?
- Yes! Use a white shower curtain with red polka dots, a circular metal frame, and wear a simple white t-shirt and shorts underneath.
Did you know? The wearable shower curtain costume gained massive pop culture fame in the 1984 film 'The Karate Kid', where Daniel LaRusso wears it to a high school Halloween dance.