Smarty Pants Costume
A brilliant, punny, and sweet last-minute DIY costume idea.
The Smarty Pants costume is a classic, pun-based outfit that is incredibly easy to put on at the last minute. Perfect for teachers, students, or anyone who loves a clever play on words, this look combines academic stereotypes with actual candy. The costume consists of nerd-chic accessories and a pair of pants covered in rolls of Smarties candy.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~20 min
- Budget
- $15–40
Try it on
See yourself as Smarty Pants
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What you need for a Smarty Pants costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Smarty Pants costume — one box instead of 6 pieces.
Smarties Candy Rolls
Multiple bulk bags of classic pastel-wrapped Smarties candy rolls.
DIY: Print out pictures of Smarties candy wrappers and cut them out if you want to avoid real candy.
Double-Sided Tape or Safety Pins
Heavy-duty double-sided fabric tape or small safety pins to secure the candy to your pants.
DIY: Use hot glue on a pair of old pants you don't mind ruining.
Pants
A pair of jeans, khakis, or solid-colored trousers that you don't mind attaching candy to.
DIY: Use any old pair of pants or leggings from your closet.
Nerd Glasses
Black, thick-rimmed plastic glasses, preferably with white tape wrapped around the nose bridge.
DIY: Pop the lenses out of cheap sunglasses and wrap white masking tape around the center.
Suspenders
Elastic clip-on suspenders in a bright color or classic black.
Collared Shirt
A button-down oxford shirt or polo, fully buttoned up.
DIY: Any neat, tucked-in shirt from your wardrobe.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Smarty Pants costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on your collared shirt and tuck it neatly into your pants.
- 2
Clip the suspenders onto your pants and adjust them so they fit snugly over your shoulders.
- 3
Lay your pants flat on a table before putting them on, or apply the candy while wearing them if using tape.
- 4
Apply strips of heavy-duty double-sided tape or fabric tape horizontally across the front and sides of the pants.
- 5
Press individual rolls of Smarties candy firmly onto the tape, spacing them out evenly across the legs.
- 6
Put on the pants carefully to ensure the candy rolls stay secured to the fabric.
- 7
Put on the thick-rimmed nerd glasses and carry a book or notebook as an extra prop.
Makeup & hair
Style your hair in a neat, slicked-back look, a tight side-part, or messy 'mad scientist' style. Keep makeup minimal, perhaps adding a few faux freckles across the nose with an eyeliner pencil.
Smarty Pants for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- One person goes as 'Smarty Pants' and the other goes as 'Dum Dum' (wearing Dum Dums lollipops).
- group
- A group can go as a 'Study Group' or 'Honor Roll,' all wearing different variations of academic nerd gear and candy.
- kids
- Perfect for school dress-up days; use comfortable leggings and secure the candy with safety pins so they don't fall off during recess.
- Plus size
- Works perfectly with any comfortable, high-waisted trousers or stretch chinos.
- pet
- A small dog sweater with a few Smarties wrappers taped to the back and a pair of tiny elastic-band glasses.
Tips
- Tape the outer wrapper seams of the Smarties rolls closed so the candy doesn't slide out and spill as you walk.
- Bring extra double-sided tape or a few spare candy rolls in your pocket for quick repairs during the night.
- If you plan to sit down a lot, avoid placing the candy rolls on the back of your thighs or seat of the pants.
- Use safety pins pushed through the outer plastic twist-wrappers of the candy for a more secure hold than tape.
Smarty Pants costume FAQ
- How do you attach the Smarties to the pants?
- The easiest way is using heavy-duty double-sided fabric tape. For a stronger hold, you can use small safety pins through the twisted ends of the candy wrappers, or hot glue if you are using a pair of pants you don't plan to wear again.
- What pants are best for a Smarty Pants costume?
- Stiff fabrics like denim jeans, khakis, or chinos work best because they don't stretch or sag under the weight of the candy rolls.
- Is this costume appropriate for school or work?
- Yes, it is a highly popular, family-friendly, and clever pun costume that is perfect for teachers, students, and office dress-up days.
Did you know? The 'Smarty Pants' costume is one of the most popular last-minute DIY costumes because it relies on a literal visual pun using a universally recognized candy brand.