Unabomber Costume
Recreate the infamous 1987 police sketch look with simple streetwear.
The Unabomber costume is based on the iconic 1987 FBI composite sketch of Ted Kaczynski, which became one of the most recognizable law enforcement drawings in history. People choose this look for its dark historical notoriety, simplicity, and instant recognizability. The outfit consists of a basic gray hooded sweatshirt, aviator sunglasses, and a fake mustache.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~10 min
- Budget
- $20–50
Try it on
See yourself as Unabomber
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.
Your photo is sent to Google's Gemini API to make the render and isn't used for training. Renders are AI-generated and labelled.
Want a different costume on this photo, or a whole group in costume? Open the Try-On Studio.
What you need for a Unabomber costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Unabomber costume — one box instead of 4 pieces.
Gray hooded sweatshirt
A classic, plain heather gray zip-up hoodie with a drawstring.
DIY: Use any plain gray hoodie you already own, preferably slightly oversized.
Aviator sunglasses
Classic teardrop-shaped aviator sunglasses with dark lenses and thin gold or silver metal frames.
Fake mustache
A simple, light brown or sandy-colored costume mustache with adhesive backing.
DIY: Draw a light mustache on your upper lip using a brown eyebrow pencil.
Blue jeans
Standard straight-leg blue jeans to complete the casual, nondescript look.
DIY: Any worn-in blue jeans or dark pants from your closet will work.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Unabomber costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the straight-leg blue jeans and a basic t-shirt.
- 2
Put on the heather gray zip-up hoodie and zip it up halfway.
- 3
Apply the adhesive fake mustache to your upper lip, trimming it if necessary to match the sketch.
- 4
Put on the gold-framed aviator sunglasses.
- 5
Pull the hood of the sweatshirt up over your head, adjusting it so it covers your hair and sits low on your forehead.
- 6
Pull the drawstrings of the hoodie slightly so the hood frames your face tightly, mimicking the composite sketch.
Makeup & hair
No complex makeup or hairstyling is required, as your hair is completely covered by the hood and your eyes are covered by the sunglasses. Ensure any natural hair is tucked fully inside the hood.
Unabomber for couples, groups, kids & more
- Plus size
- Choose an oversized 2XL or 3XL gray zip-up hoodie for a comfortable, loose fit.
Tips
- Keep the hood up and the sunglasses on to maintain the recognizable 'sketch' silhouette in photos.
- Because this costume is based on a real-world criminal, wear it with discretion and awareness of your setting, avoiding sensitive public spaces.
- This is an excellent budget-friendly, last-minute costume since most items can be found in a typical wardrobe.
Unabomber costume FAQ
- What hoodie do I need for the Unabomber costume?
- You need a classic, plain heather gray zip-up hooded sweatshirt with drawstrings. Avoid hoodies with visible brand logos or graphics.
- What sunglasses does the Unabomber wear in the sketch?
- The 1987 FBI composite sketch features classic aviator sunglasses with thin metal frames and dark lenses.
- Is the Unabomber costume easy to DIY?
- Yes, it is one of the easiest DIY costumes possible. It only requires a gray hoodie, aviators, blue jeans, and a fake mustache.
Did you know? The iconic image this costume is based on is actually a police composite sketch drawn by artist Jeanne Boylan in 1987, based on a witness sighting in Salt Lake City.