White House Costume
Bring presidential architecture to life with this creative, patriotic DIY look.
Dressing up as the White House is a hilarious, patriotic, and highly creative choice for Halloween or political events. This novelty costume transforms you into the iconic presidential residence at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. The look centers around a structured white box painted with Neoclassical columns, windows, and an American flag.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- ~120 min
- Budget
- $20–60
Try it on
See yourself as White House
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 White House costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete White House costume — one box instead of 6 pieces.
Large cardboard box
A rectangular box large enough to fit over your torso with pre-cut holes for your head and arms.
DIY: Recycle a large shipping or appliance box.
White acrylic paint
Matte or semi-gloss white paint to coat the entire exterior of the box.
DIY: Use leftover white house paint or white spray paint.
Black permanent marker
A thick chisel-tip marker to draw the windows, columns, and architectural details.
DIY: Use black acrylic paint and a fine paintbrush.
Miniature American flag
A small hand-held US flag to mount on the top-front of the building.
DIY: Print a small American flag on paper and glue it to a wooden skewer.
Green felt fabric
A strip of green felt to wrap around the bottom edge of the box to represent the South Lawn.
DIY: Paint the bottom edge of the box green.
Webbing straps
Two adjustable nylon straps glued inside the box to rest on your shoulders.
DIY: Use heavy-duty duct tape or old backpack straps.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made White House costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Find a large rectangular cardboard box that fits your torso comfortably, ensuring it ends above your knees so you can walk.
- 2
Cut out a comfortable head hole in the top of the box and armholes on the left and right sides.
- 3
Paint the entire exterior of the box with a solid coat of white paint and let it dry completely.
- 4
Use a ruler and a black marker to draw the iconic Neoclassical columns, rows of windows, and the central portico facade.
- 5
Glue a strip of green felt around the bottom edge of the box to create the look of the manicured lawn.
- 6
Secure the miniature American flag to the top-center of the box using hot glue or duct tape on the inside.
- 7
Attach the webbing straps inside the box so they rest comfortably on your shoulders, keeping the box stable while you walk.
Makeup & hair
Keep your hair neat and styled, or wear a white wig to match the neoclassical aesthetic. Simple, clean makeup works best since the focus is entirely on the building structure.
White House for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair up with someone dressed as the President, a Secret Service agent, or a tourist taking photos.
- group
- Have friends dress as other Washington D.C. landmarks like the Washington Monument and the Capitol Building.
- kids
- Use a smaller cardboard box and lightweight poster board for an easy, comfortable kids' version.
- Plus size
- Choose a wider moving box or wardrobe box to ensure a comfortable fit with plenty of room to move.
- pet
- Craft a miniature cardboard facade to attach to a dog harness, turning your pup into the executive mansion.
Tips
- Make sure the armholes are cut wide enough so you can easily reach for drinks or shake hands.
- Use lightweight corrugated cardboard to keep the costume comfortable for long periods of wear.
- Add battery-operated LED lights behind cut-out windows for a cool glowing effect at night.
White House costume FAQ
- How do I make a DIY White House costume?
- You can make one by painting a large cardboard box white, drawing on the iconic columns and windows with black marker, and attaching a small American flag to the top.
- Is the White House costume easy to walk in?
- Yes, as long as you leave the bottom of the box completely open and ensure it ends above your knees so your legs can move freely.
- What should I wear under the box?
- Wear simple, neutral clothing like a black t-shirt and black pants so your body blends into the background, making the building stand out.
Did you know? The White House got its official name in 1901 when President Theodore Roosevelt had it engraved on his stationery, though it had been painted white since its construction in 1798.