Tarzan Costume
Unleash your wild side with the ultimate jungle lord look.
Tarzan is the legendary wild man raised by apes in the African jungle, created by Edgar Rice Burroughs. He is a classic Halloween choice for anyone wanting a rugged, minimalist, and highly recognizable costume. The look centers on a simple faux-suede loincloth, tribal accessories, and wild, unkempt hair.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~20 min
- Budget
- $15–50
Try it on
See yourself as Tarzan
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 Tarzan costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Tarzan costume — one box instead of 4 pieces.
Brown loincloth or tunic
A brown faux-suede or textured fabric loincloth, often featuring a jagged hemline, worn over matching brown briefs for coverage.
DIY: Cut a piece of brown felt or faux suede with jagged edges and safety-pin it over a pair of brown shorts.
Brown armbands
Simple fabric or faux-leather bands worn around the biceps.
DIY: Cut strips of leftover brown fabric or faux leather and tie them around your upper arms.
Spear or knife prop
A lightweight plastic or foam jungle spear or a toy hunting knife.
DIY: Carve a spear shape out of thick cardboard, paint it to look like wood and stone, and attach it to a wooden dowel.
Tooth necklace
A simple cord necklace featuring faux animal teeth or bones.
DIY: Sculpt simple tooth shapes out of white polymer clay, bake them, and string them onto a black cord.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Tarzan costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on a pair of supportive brown briefs or fitted shorts to serve as a base layer.
- 2
Secure the faux-suede loincloth over the briefs, ensuring it is tied tightly and sits comfortably on the hips.
- 3
Slide the brown fabric armbands up onto your biceps.
- 4
Put on the faux tooth necklace so it rests flat against your chest.
- 5
Style your hair to look wild, messy, and windblown.
- 6
Pick up your toy spear or knife prop to complete the jungle lord aesthetic.
Makeup & hair
Style your hair with texturizing spray, pomade, or gel to create a messy, wet, and windblown look. If you have short hair, a shoulder-length dark brown wig styled with messy waves works perfectly. You can add light smudges of brown makeup or bronzer to your skin to simulate jungle dirt.
Tarzan for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair up with Jane Porter wearing a yellow safari dress or a green jungle-style dress.
- group
- Go as a group with Jane, Terk the gorilla, and Tantor the elephant.
- kids
- A simple brown felt loincloth tunic over a brown t-shirt and shorts makes a comfortable, kid-friendly version.
- Plus size
- Opt for a longer, wrap-around brown tunic style loincloth that provides more coverage and comfort.
- pet
- Dress a pet dog in a small plush gorilla costume to be Tarzan's sidekick.
Tips
- For comfort and warmth, you can wear a nude-colored or brown muscle shirt under the loincloth.
- Always wear supportive undergarments under the loincloth to prevent wardrobe malfunctions.
- If you are attending an outdoor event, wear flesh-colored sandals or simple brown wrap shoes instead of going barefoot.
- Keep your makeup simple; just a bit of bronzer or cosmetic dirt on the collarbones and arms adds realism.
Tarzan costume FAQ
- What do you wear under a Tarzan loincloth?
- It is highly recommended to wear matching brown briefs, compression shorts, or a swimsuit underneath the loincloth for comfort and secure coverage.
- How do you make a quick DIY Tarzan costume?
- You can make one quickly by cutting jagged edges into a yard of brown felt, wrapping it around your waist like a sarong, and securing it with safety pins or a brown rope belt.
- Can I wear shoes with this costume?
- Yes, while Tarzan is traditionally barefoot, simple brown leather sandals, water shoes, or brown canvas slip-ons are practical choices for walking around safely.
Did you know? Tarzan first appeared in the novel 'Tarzan of the Apes' in 1912, written by Edgar Rice Burroughs, and has since been adapted into over 50 authorized movies.