The Cat in the Hat Costume
Bring Dr. Seuss's most famous mischievous feline to life.
The Cat in the Hat is one of the most recognizable and beloved characters in children's literature, making him a classic choice for Halloween or school dress-up days [1.1.4]. This look is instantly identifiable by his tall, red-and-white striped top hat, oversized red bow tie, and sleek black cat suit. It is a fun, nostalgic costume that works perfectly for teachers, parents, and kids alike.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~20 min
- Budget
- $25–75
Try it on
See yourself as The Cat in the Hat
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What you need for a The Cat in the Hat costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete The Cat in the Hat costume — one box instead of 6 pieces.
Tall striped top hat
A tall, structured stovepipe hat with alternating red and white horizontal stripes [1.1.8].
DIY: Roll a sheet of white poster board into a tall cylinder, paint red horizontal stripes on it, and glue it to a circular cardboard brim.
Oversized red bow tie
A large, floppy red bow tie made of felt or satin that fastens around the neck.
DIY: Cut a large bow shape out of red felt and pin or tie it to your collar.
Black jumpsuit or bodysuit
A long-sleeve black jumpsuit, unitard, or matching black long-sleeve shirt and pants.
DIY: Wear a matching black long-sleeve t-shirt and black sweatpants or leggings.
White chest patch
A large, oval-shaped white patch covering the front torso to mimic a cat's belly.
DIY: Cut a large oval out of white felt and safety pin or fabric-glue it to the front of your black shirt.
White gloves
Simple, clean white cotton gloves.
Black cat tail
A long, flexible black plush tail attached to the back of the pants.
DIY: Stuff a black knee-high sock with batting or paper, insert a wire for shape, and safety pin it to your waist.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made The Cat in the Hat costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the black jumpsuit or matching black long-sleeve shirt and pants.
- 2
Attach the white felt oval patch to the center chest of your black top using safety pins or fabric tape.
- 3
Fasten the oversized red bow tie around your neck, positioning it directly above the white chest patch.
- 4
Attach the black cat tail to the back waistband of your pants.
- 5
Slip on the white cotton gloves.
- 6
Place the iconic red-and-white striped stovepipe hat securely on your head.
Makeup & hair
Apply white face paint to your snout area, then use a black makeup crayon to draw a black nose, whiskers on your cheeks, and a playful cat smile. No special hair styling is needed since the tall striped hat covers most of your head.
The Cat in the Hat for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair up with someone dressed as Sally, the Boy, or a giant fish in a bowl.
- group
- Go as a group with one Cat in the Hat and multiple friends dressed as Thing 1 and Thing 2 in red jumpsuits and blue wigs.
- kids
- A cozy black fleece onesie with a built-in white belly patch, paired with a soft felt striped hat.
- Plus size
- Use a comfortable, stretchy black cotton tracksuit or oversized black sweatshirt and sweatpants as the base.
- pet
- A miniature red-and-white striped hat that straps under the chin, paired with a small red collar bow tie.
More ways people search for this costume
The most-searched variations of “The Cat in the Hat costume”, and how this look adapts to each.
Cat hat costume
- A miniature red-and-white striped hat that straps under the chin, paired with a small red collar bow tie.
Cat in the hat children's costume
- A cozy black fleece onesie with a built-in white belly patch, paired with a soft felt striped hat.
Tips
- If your striped hat is floppy, stuff the inside with crumpled newspaper or tissue paper to help it stand upright.
- Wear comfortable black sneakers or slip-ons to keep the look seamless from head to toe.
- Keep a few safety pins on hand in case your tail or chest patch needs a quick adjustment during your event.
The Cat in the Hat costume FAQ
- How do you make a DIY Cat in the Hat hat?
- You can make one by rolling a sheet of white poster board into a tall cylinder, painting red stripes on it, and gluing it to a circular cardboard base painted black or white.
- What does the Cat in the Hat wear?
- He wears a tall red-and-white striped stovepipe hat, a large floppy red bow tie, white gloves, and a black cat suit with a white furry belly patch [1.1.8].
- Is the Cat in the Hat costume good for teachers?
- Yes, it is incredibly popular for teachers and educators, especially during Read Across America Day and school book character parades.
Did you know? The Cat in the Hat was created by Dr. Seuss in 1957 as a direct response to a report criticizing children's reading primers for being boring.